This is the message of a hard-hitting radio campaign by HOT 102.7 FM focusing on mental health in South Africa and the many lifelines available to help us or those we care about. The campaign’s been running all month, with World Mental Health Day on the 10th as its centre point.
In a series of podcast interviews with experts and celebrities, including actors, singers and sports coaches, “uncomfortable” topics are discussed, as well as conditions like addiction and depression. Interviewees candidly reveal how they overcame their particular demons.
Burnout is a predominant topic and significant at this time of year when workloads and stress spike in the rush towards the December holidays. It also ties in with the official 2024 theme of World Mental Health Day: prioritising mental health in the workplace.
One of the discussions delves into how burnout has become a “badge of honour” in South Africa. Our workaholic culture has us comparing how much overtime we worked and how stressed we are at the water cooler as if it’s an achievement. But, the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) cautions that constant, high levels of stress are unsustainable, and burnout has a massive impact on us and those around us.
Emotional symptoms include feeling drained, unable to cope, being sad, angry, irritable or not caring about anything and reaching for alcohol and other substances to feel calmer or “zone out”. The physical symptoms include high blood pressure and low immunity, resulting in us being constantly sick.
So how can we manage or reduce stress effectively, when for many of us, the advice of doing meditation, mindfulness and yoga is way outside our comfort zones? Here are a few evidence-based, practical suggestions:
- Exercise – regular exercise, no matter what it is, and only 30 minutes of it, reduces your stress levels and perks up your mood (and your butt, if you work hard enough!).
- Digital detox – ok, did that freak you out? Well, the good news is there’s no need to go hardcore. By reducing your screen time – albeit significantly – you’ll sleep better and feel less stressed.
- Spend time with your (furry) friends – anyone with pets in their lives knows their power to heal just by being in your space. And there’s science behind it. Petting your fur kid causes your body to release oxytocin, one of the “happy hormones”. According to the SA College of Applied Psychology, pets can help us lead mentally healthier lives.
- Schedule me-time, also known as “self-care” – this is an oft-neglected area in our lives and can even feel selfish. Wrong, say the experts! “People who engage in self-care typically have lower levels of stress and improved quality of life, while a lack of self-care is associated with a higher risk of stress and burnout.”
- Change your scenery – “Travel has been linked to stress reduction and can alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression,” says WebMD.com. You don’t have to go large and cross-continental with your travel plans. Even a weekend away has mental benefits. And if you can’t travel, explore a new venue or try a new experience and enjoy the benefit of “rewiring” your brain – aka neuroplasticity – helping it break the old patterns that get you down.
But if you could do with a little counsellor support and advice, SADAG has several 24-hour, toll-free hotlines with a caring voice on the other end. Remember: it’s okay to not be okay.
Mindful Musings
What the world was musing over this week
Pizza and cocaine, anyone?
A pizzeria in Germany has been bust for delivering its top-selling pizza with a side order of cocaine!
The Chinese send their fur kids to work
With pet popularity soaring in China and pet cafés on the rise, people are dropping off their fur kids at these venues to “work the crowds”. And earn a salary comprised of snacks!
Airport farewells slapped with a time limit
At Dunedin Airport in New Zealand you may not hug goodbye for more than 3 minutes in the drop-off zone!
Going with your gut pays off
An American man who didn’t buy a lottery card felt compelled to return to the store and buy it after all. Guess what? He won big time!
