Although I sincerely hope this newsletter finds you healthy, resilient and strong, I also know it may arrive at a time when you are struggling. In recent conversations with clients, colleagues, family and friends there seems to be a clear and present theme at the forefront of each of your minds: the on-going mental toll and exhaustion from this relentless pandemic & related employment changes. It deeply saddens me when others are feeling emotional fatigue, ongoing stress and profound loss on a continual basis.
No matter whether we choose change or change chooses us, a shift of any kind can disrupt health and well-being, key relationships, daily routines, and – in the case of costly health issues or unexpected job loss – financial strain. Coupled with your body adjusting to the time change (if you live in a place with daylight savings) and the fast approaching holidays, I understand that there is a lot to cope with.
As pandemic-related consequences continue to impact your personal and professional life, it is more important than ever to bestow grace upon yourself and others. Now is the time for you to “feel the feels” and allow others to do the same. We don’t need to fix ourselves or fix others, but rather allow the space to feel what we feel in this intensely trying time. Self-care practices and a support network are increasingly critical during this time to help you remain resilient. As we continue to maneuver through what feels like this never-ending pandemic let’s practice compassion, kindness and self-care together. I invite you to give yourself and others a little extra TLC this month.
Build a Strong Support Network
I cannot emphasize enough how crucial social support is to our mental health. Having a strong support system can help you navigate the many challenges and hardships presented by this ongoing pandemic. We all need someone to lean on to help ease the burden of the emotional load you carry. Cultivate a more robust support network in your coach, place of worship, family, friends, mentor, therapist or support group. Sometimes you may need a little extra support especially if you are dealing with anxiety, financial hardship, illness or loss. It’s ok to look beyond your friends and family. I know for me that I could not have made it through the past month with the same resilience if I had not had the support of my incredible network which includes my husband, close family, dear friends, therapist, business coach, peer coaches, colleagues, and massage & somatic practitioners. It truly takes a village!
Listed below are ten online support groups for anyone that is struggling right now. According to Self, “Remember that support groups can be very helpful, but they’re not a replacement for professional mental health treatment. Similarly, just as you’d shop around for a therapist who feels like a good fit, you should keep an eye on whether a support group you join is actually, well, providing you support.”
Support Groups Central – It curates support groups from other organizations, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
The Dinner Party – helps groups of 20- and 30-somethings who have experienced the loss of a parent, partner, child, sibling, another close family member, or close friend gather in small groups called tables.
Psychology Today – as a therapist-finding tool, and many therapists are currently hosting virtual support groups (and more-targeted therapy groups and workshops if you’re interested in those).
Facebook – Some therapists and mental health professionals have created support spaces there in recent months in response to mental health challenges related to COVID-19.
ADAA Online Support Group – The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) has its own anonymous, peer-to-peer support group with over 60,000 subscribers.
Zencare – A resource that helps connect users with therapists, Zencare also has a list of virtual groups for support and connection amid the pandemic.
Body Politic COVID-19 Support Group – Body Politic, a queer feminist wellness collective, started a COVID-19 support group after their founder and their creative director both became sick with the coronavirus in early March.
Wisdo – Within the app, you can join specific themed communities to discuss anything from coronavirus anxiety and loneliness to racism and LGBTQ+ issues.
10. Meetup – You might be familiar with Meetup as a way to connect socially, but many users have also long used it to organize support groups.
Techniques to Manage Your COVID-19 Anxiety and Stress
According to Banner Health, “The Delta variant and vaccine hesitancy have combined to launch another surge in COVID-19 infections. And along with that comes another surge in mental health challenges related to the pandemic.” The uncertainty of the pandemic can emotionally drain you and mentally wear you down. Everything is up in the air from schooling, working remotely, vaccinations to when will this pandemic finally end? Navaid Khan, MD, a Banner Health psychiatrist recommends the following to help you manage your stress:
Make plans (with proper precautions) to help ease your uncertainty – According to Dr. Khan, “Having something to look forward to can help alleviate stress and break the monotony of living through the pandemic.”
Recognize that you might develop compassion fatigue – Talking about your feelings can help you cope with compassion fatigue and regain your sense of empathy.
Break away from news and social media – These vehicles can further feed your anxiety.
Turn to the tried-and-true stress busters – Dr. Khan said, “It’s about finding a ritual that is meaningful to you.”
Exercise
Breathing
Meditation
Sleep
Seek professional help if you need it – If the strategies listed above are not helping you, seek out a counselor or therapist to help you process your feelings.
I know these times are incredibly challenging. I hope that you find the information above helpful. My wish is that one of these tips might help ease your anxiety, quiet your mind or create additional support for you. I want to arm you with tools to help weather this storm. Please know that I am here for you. I know the holidays may not look the same again this year, but please know that I am thinking of you and your families. I am grateful for you and I wish you a blessed Thanksgiving filled with hope and love.
After two years of a pandemic and kicking off the New Year with record-breaking Covid cases, I can imagine that many of you are burnt out, and emotionally and mentally drained. As we embark on 2022 cautiously optimistic, you might be feeling pressure to create goals, set resolutions and make up for lost time. I encourage you to start January with a different approach this year, and take the pressure off of you. Begin by patting yourself on the back. You made it through 2021! That in itself is a momentous feat. Give yourself a break this year!
As we head into the holidays and the last month of 2021, you may be struggling to connect, find joy, peace and purpose during these turbulent times. I too am using all my tools to remain optimistic and find contentment during this year-end holiday stretch. The onslaught of the new variant coupled with omnipresent uncertainty during what is supposed to be a joyous occasion can be draining to your mental strength, and wreak havoc on your overall wellbeing.
The topic for this month’s LinkedIn article is near and dear to my heart. I write this with great adoration, gratitude and reverence. November is National Inspirational Role Models Month. This is a month for you to appreciate and celebrate the people in your life that set a positive example for you, that motivate you, that encourage you to follow your dreams and take risks, and that you aspire to emulate. Who inspires and teaches you? Who is your mentor? This is the month to show them a little love, and thank them for their guiding light. In 2005, it was Darlene House, House of Communications Owner/Chief Communications Specialist who first designated National Inspirational Role Models Month.
I hope this newsletter finds you happy, healthy and well. If you live in the northern hemisphere, the days are getting shorter and the weather cooler: how are you feeling about the seasonal shift? I am loving this cozy time of year. In last month’s newsletter I asked you to join me in a 21-Day Gratitude Challenge. How did you feel practicing gratitude? Did you notice any positive changes in your emotions, mindset and wellbeing? For November, I want to piggyback off of last month’s gratitude high, and get laser-focused on further unlocking your potential using holistic Leadership Development tools.
What do I mean by holistic? I mean bridging the gap between mind, body and spirit AND bringing all of your centers of intelligence head, heart and body to work. I invite you to take a holistic approach to your leadership growth and development, and strike a balance between your sense of self, your purpose and your community in the workplace so that you can amplify your impact.
Developing Self Awareness
Self-awareness is the first step to becoming a holistic leader. Leaders need to be aware of how their behaviors impact those they lead. Leadership isn’t just about bringing a set of skills to the table, it’s also about bringing Emotional Intelligence (EI) as well. In order to make lasting, positive change as a leader you need to first look inside yourself. Are you willing to invest in YOU, and do what is often uncomfortable, introspective work to become more self-aware? This inner work can help you connect the dots between mind, body and spirit AND active all your centers of intelligence head, heart, and body. If you take a holistic approach to your own personal development you will be on a continuous journey of enlightenment, learning and transformation thus helping you actualize your greatest potential, and amplifying your impact as a leader.
According to Indeed, “The Importance of Self Awareness in Leadership,” the characteristics of self-awareness in leadership are as follows:
Reflective: A large part of self-awareness comes from reflecting on your own thoughts, words and actions as you communicate with others.
Observant: Self-aware leaders pay attention to what’s happening around them by following cues from their environment.
Empathetic: Understanding the needs of others helps self-aware leaders relate to those they lead.
Perceptive: Anticipating the outcome of a situation is another important trait of self-aware leadership.
Responsive: Leaders who are self-aware are active listeners. They can adapt based on the reaction of others.
Humble: Self-aware leaders are aware of their own strengths and weaknesses and work to correct any shortcomings that can get in the way of their leadership.
Self-controlled: Leaders who are self-aware have the ability to manage their own words and actions.
Discerning: Self-awareness comes from making wise choices about how you will handle a situation.
Adaptable: Self-aware leaders assess a situation and respond by changing their behaviors.
Honing in on your life’s purpose is the second step to unlocking your potential in a holistic manner. A leader who knows their purpose tends to have a greater impact on their employees, their work and their overall life. Their actions, decisions and thoughts are usually clear, focused and meaningful because they are purpose-driven. Having a sense of purpose ignites your soul to add value and make a difference in all areas of your life including work.
According to Forbes, “Leading With Purpose: How To Engage Others With Passion And Focus,” these are the seven characteristics of purpose-driven leaders:
Passion for seeing the business succeed
Attack work with a healthy sense of urgency
Create a productive atmosphere
Have a personal direction or focus
Keep purpose front and center as they make daily decisions
Can visualize the impact they want to have on their organization and on others
Successfully overcome obstacles in striving to achieve long-term, sustainable results
To read the full Forbes article click here. I am here to help you cultivate and channel your purpose. Let me be your guide to identify high-leverage areas of growth while finding greater meaning in your life. To learn more about my Leadership Coaching techniques, and to work with me click here.
Create Community & Connect in Your Workplace
The third tool to help you in your quest to become a holistic leader is the ability to connect and create community in the workplace. At our core human beings have an innate need to connect and feel a sense of belonging. A holistic leader creates a sense of community in their organization and a culture of inclusiveness. While this can be challenging in our current climate as many of you are still working remotely, there are transformative technologies that can connect us even remotely. I recently wrote a LinkedIn article about how emerging technologies are transforming Leadership Coaching and connecting us. They are transforming the way we connect virtually in the workplace.
As Leadership Coaching continues to metamorphize we cannot forget just how important the human element of it is. Holistic Leadership Development is about connecting the mind, body and spirit and utilizing our centers of intelligence head, heart, and body. Through self-awareness, a sense of purpose and connective community you can unlock your true potential and develop a set of integrative skills that will create a positive and lasting impact in the way you lead and live your life.
