3 Tips for Protecting Your Mental Health During Difficult Times
It has been said that one strategy of an opponent is to wear out their counterpart: it is to throw so much at an opposing party, that they become exhausted in the process of mounting a defense. Another tactic is to keep an opponent so distracted that they forget their true purpose or goal. These tactics can impact our mental health, and that of our teams.
Racial and social justice leaders are engaged in simultaneous struggles – attacks on democracy, voting rights, education, housing, and more. One could be forgiven for temporarily questioning whether progress – i.e., policies that allow all people to thrive – is a thing of the past. Political, social and financial pressures are anxiety-inducing even to those who pride themselves on being strong.
In this season, our goal may be to survive and advance. We may not experience monumental gains in every season, but that doesn’t mean progress isn’t possible. The good news is that our ancestors thrived against the odds, we will too. However, to have the impact we desire, we must guard our hope as well as our mental health.
Our hope gives us fuel to continue believing that a better world is possible. It allows us to wake up every day and continue the organizing that makes progress a reality. Relatedly, our mental health is non-negotiable. Protecting our mental health is essential to our wellbeing and that of our teams. Our mental wellbeing is also crucial to the movements and work we’re leading.
That’s why we want to share three tips for maintaining hope and protecting our overall wellbeing, including our mental health.
Focus on What You Can Control
As a leader, you are likely pulled into a host of conversations and asked to solve multiple problems. We recommend you start with what you can control. You may not be able to control geopolitical matters, but perhaps you can control what and how you communicate with your base. You may not be able to immediately influence Congressional action on, let’s say education funding, but you can train and engage people to organize at the local level. Do what is in your power to do and trust partners to do the same.
Think About What You Alone Can Do; Delegate the Rest
As a leader, there is likely no shortage of things competing for your time and attention. Ask yourself: what is your unique value-add? Focus on your unique contribution, perhaps something that no one else on your team can do as efficiently as you and spend your time there. Delegate everything else. This will give you capacity as well as space to breathe and to ideate. Few people can develop meaningful strategies when they are filled to the brim with projects.
Don’t Wait Until there is a Crisis to Manage Stress
It can be tempting for busy leaders to delay or denying self-care in service of ticking off one more thing of their “To Do” list. In fact, I was shocked when a former client suggested building in recovery time after major projects. The thought of a sacred pause – even to refuel – was for unsettling. But there was so much wisdom in the advice. That’s because the first step of managing stress is recognizing it is there.
You may have heard the phrase, “it’s okay to not be okay.” It sounds simple, cliché even, but that sentiment is grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy, supporting the idea that acknowledging what we experience is healthy. We cannot heal what we will not name. In other words, if it’s unmentionable, it’s unmanageable. In sum, you don’t have to wait until a magical moment that may never come to manage stress. Start now.
I know we are navigating unique times. However, you do not have to carry the entire load alone. For every issue we face, there are people organizing in that field. Additionally, Spotlight PR wants to support you. We exist to serve those who live to serve humanity. Whether you need ghostwriting support, crisis communications assistance, or some other aspect of strategic communications, allow us to be your partner. Book a consultation or a PR coaching session today. Remember, you do not have to be in a Bonafide crisis to take steps to protect your current and future self.
Jennifer R. Farmer, aka The PR Whisperer,® is the principal of Spotlight PR LLC, and Coshandra Dillard is deputy director-editorial for Spotlight PR LLC. Be sure to check out other blogs and subscribe for regular communications updates.