Life is hard, but so are you. Right? The advertising industry can be a pretty demanding one. But you’re hard. Right? The deadlines keep piling up, award season is closing in, this client of yours doesn’t seem to get what you’re trying to do. Things are getting tense. But you’re hard. Right?
Sure. You’re hard. Really, we believe you. But you shouldn’t feel forced to pretend you’re tougher than you are. No one’s immune to stress, and we all get down sometimes. And that’s totally fine. Just make sure things don’t spiral out of control. This Mental Health Day, we’d like to offer you some guidance on the subject.
Give it a read, you might pick something up. Here we go!
for creatives
1.
"Mens sana in corpore sano", as the Romans said. "A healthy mind in a healthy body". By now, we all know that mental health is closely linked to exercise. So get some. Go for a run, join a yoga class, dust off your skateboard, take up pole dancing or kickbox your worries away. Anything goes, as long as you move that healthy and (let’s be honest) sexy body.
Some inspiration for living a happy, healthy life? The BBC science guy Michael Mosley will tell you a thing or two in his podcast.
2.
Yes, Rihanna is all about work, work, work, work, work. But should you do the same? If Rihanna jumps into a ditch, would you follow her? Okay, this might not be the best example, but you get what we mean. There’s more to life than work.
A lot of us went into this industry because we like making weird, cool, funny or sweet things. So why not just do that sometimes? Free up some time to play, to create for the joy of it, without focusing on an end product or campaign. Just enjoy the process.
3.
Talk. Don’t bottle it up. Speak about how you feel. Reach out to someone you trust: a friend, a partner, a colleague, a mentor, a boss. If that doesn’t cut it, seek professional help. It’s 2023, there’s no shame in looking for the care you need and deserve.
for businesses and leaders
1.
Help your squad. Encourage your employees to take care of themselves. Promote healthy habits such as exercise, a good night's sleep. Take it a step further for those who need it. Get an occupational health specialist to retain and reintegrate your peeps experiencing mental health issues, including those coming back from sick leave.
2.
Get them to move. Organize physical activities in and around the office. Yoga, fitness, Tae Bo, an introduction to boxing or have a go at one of the classic Jane Fonda workout videos (stylish 80s leotards optional). You’re a creative bunch, you can figure something out, right?
3.
Train a dedicated Mental Health First Aider in your workplace. This training is effective in improving some aspects of mental health literacy, confidence in providing help to others and the type of help provided. Your External Service for Prevention and Protection at Work will help you.