International Stress Awareness Week is taking place 2-6 November. In the year of COVID-19 when most of us across the world are experiencing higher levels of stress than normal, it’s an important opportunity to raise awareness of how this can impact on our mental health and wellbeing. Equally important is to take stock of ways to support ourselves, our loved ones and our employees who are currently coming to grips with a second wave of coronavirus.
Claire Farrow shares an exclusive interview with Carole Spiers, the founder of International Stress Awareness Week, which this year will be focused on managing stress and mental health issues in the age of COVID-19, including through their online event. And bearing in mind one of the groups most adversely impacted by the global crisis, Ian Wright offers tips to small business owners on how to help alleviate increased stress they’re facing and on how to practice self-care.
In advance of our final event comprising this year’s Make a Difference global digital events series, which happens 11 November in Singapore, City Mental Health Alliance Hong Kong’s Zoe Fortune suggests key pointers to senior leaders on how they can look after the wellbeing of their best talent in these stressful times.
And while we’re just fresh off the back of our other recent global Make a Difference digital events in the UK and the US and all the incredible learning that was imparted, we want to keep the ripple effect going. I’ve included a snapshot of our powerhouse keynote discussion between Former US Representative and Founder of the Kennedy Forum, Patrick J. Kennedy and Mental Health America’s CEO, Paul Gionfriddo. This is complemented by Cami Hogg’s piece looking at five key learnings captured between our New York and London events.
As we settle into autumn with shorter days and facing increased uncertainties and stress around COVID-19, more people are going to be susceptible to Seasonal Affective Disorder (or SAD) this year. Here are my 5 self-care tips, tried and tested as I’m someone who lives with SAD, which can help to decrease the impact of the seasonal changes on your wellbeing in the coming months.
I hope you find this week’s issue enjoyable and valuable!
Well wishes,
Heather Kelly
Online Editor, Make a Difference News
