Time to Talk
Time to Talk Day is the nation’s biggest mental health conversation. It’s a day for friends, families, communities and workplaces to come together to talk, listen and change lives. This year Michelle Lloyd, Director of Services, spoke to our colleagues about their mental health.
Can you take some time out of your day this Thursday, 6th February, to talk to a colleague, to a friend, to a family member? Perhaps share a story, talk about what you did at the weekend, what makes you happy or simply share a ‘piece of you’. This could be the start of a new relationship.
At Cyrenians, we know relationships are key, and that’s just one of the reasons, each year, we like to mark Time to Talk Day - a timely reminder of the importance of building relationships with each other. We also take wellbeing seriously, that’s why in our 1 to 1 sessions we always begin by asking, 'How’s it going? Is your work/life balance okay?'
We know there is no ‘one way’ to maintain positive mental wellbeing. As an employer we offer a range of supports such as reflective practice, self-help resources, regular 1 to 1s, team meetings, free counselling (online and in person), values based decision-making, reduced gym membership via our Employee Support package and, most importantly, try to create an organisational culture where it’s good to talk and it’s ‘okay not to be okay’.
We try to be open about how we really feel and, in doing so, together we’re helping to tackle the stigma often associated with mental health and wellbeing. We’re proud to be a ‘learning organisation’ and that doesn’t just mean going on a training course or accessing online learning, it also means learning from each other. That’s why I asked some of my colleagues to share how they look after their own wellbeing. Not only did I get to know my colleagues a bit better, especially those I don’t see very often, but I also learned a lot from their wise words. As ever I am truly amazed and enthused by the myriad of ways my colleagues prioritise their wellbeing from embedding positive activities into daily routines, to taking up new hobbies, to choosing who to spend time with, to talking openly, to taking an ice bath (I prefer the hot version myself)! Thank you so much for sharing and inspiring me, and I hope their words inspire many more people today and going forwards:
"Walking my dogs, Loki and Luna, in the woods every day is an essential part of my routine to de-stress, regardless of the weather. Additionally, I find tranquillity in ending my evenings using virtual reality to experience a serene beach setting or practice breathing exercises. These activities help me maintain my mental wellbeing and recharge after a long workday." Carl
“Like many my mental health has had ups and downs especially after lockdowns… I have found that a good way for me to help with my mental health especially when its dipping is to pick up a pencil or a pen. Art has been a saviour at times and has helped me to focus on other things, I love learning and by following tutorials and being able to express myself really helps. I love to do scribble art, it’s so freeing and seeing something appear on paper is a major boost.” Tess
“I make sure I surround myself with people in my life that keep me grounded. I also make sure I take time for myself and my happy place is at the beach where I can just switch off. I like to reset in the cold water or meditate in my ice bath”. Kerrie
"I believe it's always important to look after our mental health, but especially in our line of work, it’s crucial to prioritise our own needs. To care for others, we first need to care for ourselves. I do this by embracing the small moments in my day—whether it’s walking or just sitting outside surrounded by nature, or even better, spending quality time outdoors with my dog." Sofia
“I've struggled with mental health a lot in life so over time I've developed quite a few ways to improve it. My dog, despite weighing 3 kg, is pretty central to me and I've learned the hard way that having a smaller group of core friends is better than having too many of the wrong kind! I also read - last year well over 100 books for the first time in a long while. I also make time for hobbies like fitness at the gym or yoga at home and storytelling with the Scottish Storytelling Centre. I feel like the best way to help yourself is to help others so I volunteer with two organisations. My goal for this year is to focus a bit more on spirituality- I was introduced to sit spots last where you choose a special spot in nature and sit there- feeling the earth, seeing the leaves, etc and I hope to make more time for this.” Dakota
“There are a few things I try to do every day and every week to give my mental health the best chance at resilience. Taking a few minutes a day to meditate and focus on circular breathing is meant to improve your brain’s ability to handle anxiety and can mitigate mild depressive symptoms. I’ve found that after months of daily practice I do feel calmer day to day, and sleep better! Aside from that, moving daily, extended time spent outside every week and really limiting screen time does wonders for my mind and mood day to day.” Clara
“I find that the best way I can keep on an even keel is through connecting with nature. I’ll go for walks in the countryside armed with a camera and binoculars looking for interesting birds to photograph. Keeps me sane.” Richard
"It’s inevitable that we all go through periods in life when we feel overwhelmed and struggle to see the positive side. When I notice this happening to me, I try to return to the simple things that I know work. I tend to prefer talking things through rather than bottling them up, so my first step is usually to reach out to those close to me about how I’m feeling—and often, I already feel a bit lighter. If talking doesn’t seem like the right option, journaling is another helpful outlet. I find that putting my intrusive thoughts on paper helps clear my mind. I also try to reconnect with activities I enjoy, like crochet, gardening, or cooking. These activities give me a sense of grounding and help me stay focused on something specific, rather than getting lost in my thoughts." Annalisa
“Like many I have noticed a significant difference in my mental health in the past half decade, catalysed by the impact of COVID. It would feel disingenuous to offer tips or advice to others in this area as I continue to learn how to manage my own challenges, however I can say that I've stopped hiding it. I talk openly about my struggles, where appropriate, and I am finding it is acting as an invite for others to do the same. Maybe bringing these things into the light is the first step.” Alan
“When I start to feel overwhelmed and stressed, I find the best escape is losing myself in a movie—but it has to be at the cinema. Going alone allows me to fully disconnect for a couple of hours. In the quiet of the theatre, where no one talks and my phone is switched off, I can enjoy a rare moment of undisturbed escape and recharge.” Gary
“Mental health and wellbeing aren’t static things, so I respond to how I’m feeling day to day and try to have a healthy routine and a range of hobbies that help me feel inspired, rested and motivated. In the morning, a quick gym routine and a healthy breakfast really help me start the day well, and I love running, dog walks and writing poetry as ways to “turn off” and chill out. Staying creative, keeping fit and laughing with friends and family are essential to me staying well mentally.” Lizzie
“I have really struggled with my mental health in the past so I always prioritise looking after my wellbeing. As well as making sure to talk openly with family and friends I find it really useful to spend time decompressing from the busy-ness of everyday life. For me this comes in the form of playing the piano and doing puzzles.” Rachel
“For me, self-care isn’t just about bubble baths or walks in nature (though I’d happily sign up for those every day!). It’s more about making the right choices for myself and setting healthy boundaries with myself and others. Sometimes that means saying no or reprioritising, which sounds easy enough, but is actually really hard when I'm in “mum mode”, trying to look after everyone. Another thing that helps me keep perspective when things get tricky is practising gratitude. It’s often just about reframing things in my head to find appreciation or even a little joy. And something new I’m trying is wild swimming! I’m still figuring it out, but it makes me feel strong, proud, and happy. So, if you see me at Porty, trying to stay in the sea for a couple of minutes, feel free to give me a high five. It’ll take a while before I can truly call it wild swimming.” Monika
Michelle Lloyd, Director of Services