CMHA Kelowna branch is urging the community to increase their social connection despite being physically apart. The mental health organization is launching their #CreatingConnection campaign to kick off Mental Health Week (May 4-10). The campaign also comes on the heels of new research that says most British Columbians want more meaningful connection in their daily life.
Eco-anxiety: despair is rising
Rising temperatures. Melting ice caps. Drowning polar bears. We don’t need to be told that there’s a climate emergency, and that it’s taking its toll on the planet. But the climate emergency is also a mental health emergency. The stats are powerful: psychological trauma from a natural disaster is forty times greater than trauma from physical injury. The human stories are troubling: in the Canadian North, Inuit hunters are reporting increased mental health problems, as ice conditions change and threaten the hunt for food. Climate scientists themselves are suffering from ecological grief and depression. And there are children who can’t sleep because they’re worried about the future.
3 tips to get the spring back in your step
We have weathered the snow storms and bundled up through the freezing temperatures, and now spring is just around the corner. While winter can be grey, spring offers a new beginning. Why not start this spring off as your best self?
As the days grow more green and bright, we have three tips to help you feel your best this season.
1. Get outside
As spring approaches, we’ll see more daylight and more sunshine. Vitamin-D, which comes from the sun, can boost your mood and energy levels. This spring, take advantage of the warmer weather and catch some rays. You can also increase your Vitamin-D intake by using light therapy or taking supplements.
2. Get active
Exercising relieves stress and increases energy. While working out and staying active may be easier said than done some days, start off by setting small goals. Take the stairs instead of riding the escalator. Go for a ten-minute walk on your lunch break. These small initiatives will contribute to your physical and mental well-being.
3. Eat a balanced diet
It’s easy to turn to comfort foods when you’re feeling under the weather. While it’s okay to treat yourself, it’s also important to ensure your diet is filled with foods that make you feel good. Make sure to include a lot of fruits and veggies in your diet to keep your spirits up. Some research suggests that foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish and eggs, may also help to boost your mood.
Even when we have great mental health, we can still experience hard days. It’s important to remember to recognize how we are feeling and ask for help when it’s needed. If you’re in need of support, you can find help here.