As we settle into the new year, many of us can struggle with the challenges and the uncertainties it may bring. We enter the year with new goals and reignited ambitions, making plans for family, work, and personal projects. Our calendars fill up with commitments demanding our time and attention, all while we navigate financial responsibilities and strive to stay afloat.
With so many moving parts, it’s easy to feel caught in the gears of daily life. So, what can we do to untangle ourselves?
This article provides simple tips and reminders that you can use to help relieve stress, anxiety, and improve your mental health. And there are resources that can provide additional support when you are seeking further assistance.
1. Don’t beat yourself up
When we start feeling anxious, overwhelmed, lost, or uncertain, what we need to do first is allow ourselves grace and patience. Negative self-talk can be destructive and making mistakes is something we all have in common. Reminding ourselves that we are working hard, that we care, and that we are doing our best is helpful because it is true. Take a moment to remind yourself that you are doing your best to maintain a solid mental foundation, despite challenges or setbacks.
2. Tap into your support system
We have all encountered difficult situations that can affect us mentally, emotionally and physically. When this happens, we use a lifeline. Lifelines can come in many forms such as a friend or family member that we trust and feel comfortable sharing with. It can be a space that makes us feel safe. They can be the hobbies and pastimes that provide us with a break from stress. Our pets can also be great lifelines! Support systems not only help us carry our additional weight, but they also help us regroup so we can better address difficult situations.
3. Emphasize self-care
It’s tried and true that self-care makes a major difference in our mental health. When we’re tending to the demands of a fast-paced and demanding life, we can overlook the importance of making time to take care of ourselves. Yet, when we neglect self-care, managing our responsibilities becomes even more challenging. And self-care doesn’t have to be an intense project, it can be as simple as eating and sleeping well, exercising, maintaining hygiene, and more. No matter how busy the day is, there is always a moment for self-care.
4. Finding available resources
There may be times when the challenges we face become too large of a burden. We can encounter a mental health crisis that cannot be easily solved by positive self-talk, our lifelines, or self-care. We need alternative resources that provide access to expert care.
As a UBC member with the Carpenters’ Regional Council, you may have access to mental health coverage under your Benefit Plan. Depending on your location, this could include counselling, a call centre, helpful literature, and therapy. Every plan is different, so don’t hesitate to reach out to your Benefit Plan administrator to learn more about the services they can connect you with. You may choose to reach out to a support staff member at your Local who can answer questions for you as well. There are also helplines and sometimes free counselling options that your provincial government provides, so check out your provincial government’s website to see what they offer.
Supporting each other unites us during times of struggle, and asking for help is crucial to our well-being. Your Union is here for you. While we all do our best to maintain our mental health independently, we encourage you to reach out in times of need and lean on the support and resources available.
There are Emergency Resources available to you too!
