Can you do it?

Believe it or not, you can improve your mental health during a Pandemic. But it requires a sacrifice – can you do it?

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I’m exhausted, aren’t you? Our moment in time should be our moment to shine but alas, it’s not. And it’s hell on our mental health. However, there is hope. While a silver lining can be hard to find, I feel like we can’t give up.

So, then, what can be done? A thought I find bouncing around in my head all too often these days. What can be done to make our situation more tolerable? Personally, I’d like to think we have a lot of options.

But they require sacrifice on our part. And in times like these, it’s the best thing to do for the betterment of your neighbor, your family, your community.

With that said, can you do it? Can you tear yourself away from your video games, your phone, your streaming service? I sure hope so. Because we need all hands on deck.

How far does a little kindness go? U of T researcher examines how doing good improves mental health

Can you do it? Women and a friend

Photo by PNW Production on Pexels.com

So, then, what if I told you that your sacrifice doesn’t have to be huge? Nor that it will take up much of your time? And what’s more and a bonus for you, is that it can help improve your mental health. Wouldn’t that be a good thing? I bet your answer is, “of course it would be.”

However, it all comes back to the question “can you do it?”

The power of helping.

It turns out that you and I and everyone else on this planet are wired to help one another. A skill that was imprinted in our DNA over thousands of years. I know – amazing, right? Moreover, it appears that helping others improves Our Mental Well-Being. Who knew?

The mental health benefits of helping others

What’s most amazing is that your contribution doesn’t have to be huge. Helping others can look like:

  • Generalized kindness – Smile and say hi more often; compliment someone or offer assistance thing. One I find works well is asking “How are you doing?” followed by a healthy dose of listening. This, of course, works best when you’re already involved in a conversation. In short, show that you care.
  • Volunteer. Help bring meals to the elderly, shovel/salt someone’s driveway, help the poor and disadvantaged through these tough times.
  • If you’re from a wealthy nation, donate some money. A little donation goes a long way when you figure in the rate of exchange.
  • Your words matter. You never know what the power of kind words has. For example, if I engage in conversation with someone, I might say, “I hope you have the best day ever.” Sometimes, I might say, “I hope your day gets better.” I deploy this one when I notice someone struggling.
  • Take a chance. Not everyone you meet deserves to be met with suspicion. Unless they totally freak you out, try engaging in a conversation. Maybe they are desperately lonely. Trust me – if this is the case, you would make their day.

Need help? Checkout our MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES PAGE

While they are useful tools, even entertaining, they appear to leave their mark on our mental resilience. Again, we are designed for connection with others and feel rewarded by helping those around us. Plus, we are helping others feel better by making their lives a little easier. And in these anxiety-producing times, we could all use a little mental pain reduction.

Can you do it? Can you tear yourself away from the isolating habits of video games, TV, phones, and PCs?

Writing The Road To Mental Wellness, was an attempt to crawl out of the darkness and away from the debilitating symptoms of PTSD. At the time, I had little help, I was off work and was lost….”I am my work;” “I am a firefighter!” Who am I now? Therefore, I became convinced that my life had lost its meaning; essentially, I was void of purpose. So, I began to obsessively write out where I had gone wrong. I delved into my troubled childhood, my depressive teenaged years, and pondered what jhad happened in my young adult life. What I found along the way was a live-long battle with depression, anxiety, and PTSD. What I found, with each word I carefully tapped out on my archaic and outdated keyboard, was a step towards rediscovering my purpose… Helping others continues to be my passion!
Front and back cover of the road to mental wellness - 8 sings your relationship is hurting your mental health.
Want to get the complete Audiobook version Free! Go to our Homepage and use the Scriber form to receive our newsletter. Boom the book is yours.

  • A Profound Sense of Sadness
    Yesterday I finally discovered what drives me towards my desire to help others. My profound sense of sadness.
  • The Devastating Impact on Mental Health
    The Devastating Impact on Mental Health – “Discover the chilling reality of government cuts and their profound effect on mental health in our latest blog post. Explore the cascading impact these cuts have had on vulnerable individuals and communities, as we delve into the devastating consequences and urgent need for action. Gain insight into the far-reaching implications of reduced support systems and learn how we can come together to address this pressing mental health crisis.”
  • From A Disease Management Perspective
    Because I was never able to win the war with mental illness, I have learned to fight it from a disease management perspective.
  • You Have A Choice Where to Put Your Energy
    Hey, you! Yes, you. You have a choice where to put your energy. You can waste it on things that don’t matter, or you can use it to make a positive difference in your life and the lives of others. Whether it’s beating addiction or raising your family, you have no choice not to try your best. You owe it to yourself and the people who care about you. So, what are you waiting for? Choose wisely and act now. You have the power to change your destiny.
  • Name That Emotion!
    Can you ‘name that emotion? – Read all about my personal journey of emotional discovery, transforming anger into emotional intelligence for improved mental health.”
Jonathan Arenburg's portfolio pick. Weaing a light blue dress shirt with black suit coat.
Jonathan Arenburg

In closing, I would like to say this: “You may feel hurt, frustrated, anxious even. More than that, you may even feel a loss of control. However, doing little things with big meaning can help restore a sense of control. Helping others can act as your salvation from the mental pain of COVID 19.”

Jonathan Arenburg.
Jonathan Arenburg.

Jonathan Arenburg is a Blogger, Podcaster, and published author

Jonathan Arenburg

Jonathan Reginald-Nixon Arenburg (Born January 14, 1976) is a Canadian mental health blogger, speaker, and published author. Retired from the fire service and long-term care fields, he has written and self-published an autobiographical account of his life-long battle with anxiety, depression and more recently, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Titled, The Road To Mental Wellness, he wrote it for what he calls “therapeutic release.” He published it in hopes it would help others going through similar mental health conditions. The sales of The Road To Mental Wellness have been steady selling over 300 copies since its release on October 10, 2021(World Mental Health Day). Arenburg has also been involved in a collaborative publication Called Lemonade Stand Volume III, a book featuring 20 authors who bravely tell their stories of PTSD. All authors where from the military and or emergency services. Published by Joshua Rivedal and Kathleen Myers for the i’Mpossible project, a mental health advocacy organization. Jonathan has also appeared on several mental health podcasts including The Depression Files, A New Dawn, and The Above Ground Podcast Arenburg has also consulted with the Government of Nova Scotia and the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, the Honorable Brian Comer and Candidates for the New Democratic Party of Canada, on improving the mental health care system in Canada. Additionally, Jonathan was recognized in The Nova Scotia Legislature by the Honorable, Chris Palmer, Kings-North MLA, for his Book, The Road To Mental Wellness, his fight to make the mental health care system better. In addition, Chis acknowledged the support he gives to others.

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