Finding your ‘new normal’: Tips for young workers

This summer feels different as we shift back to ‘normal.’ Whatever your ‘normal’ was before the pandemic, many young people are experiencing discomfort about transitions back to work or school.

Maybe your summer job is exhausting, socializing is too much right now, and you would like more support as you navigate the uncertain months ahead. Maybe you were feeling overwhelmed pre-pandemic?

August is Young Worker Safety Month. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Alberta Division, SafeGen and HeadsUp are focusing on where and how you can find stability and support with resources and self-care tips.

Remember: Self-care goes far beyond bubble baths and stocking up on the latest gadgets. Self-care is quite literally taking care of yourself. Your WHOLE self!

Myth-bust some popular ideas about self-care

Tips for young workers

Over-scheduling can lead to exhaustion, at home and at work.

It can also cause both physical and mental health issues, including poor sleep, increased illness and lack of concentration. Here are some tips on managing your time more effectively:

• Take stock of what’s important in your life. Healthy interests or activities that help you renew and refresh should take priority.
• Be honest with yourself and others about what you can get done in a day. Focusing on your most important tasks and set the others aside until you have time for them.
• Try to focus on one task at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Decide if the invite is something you truly want to add to your schedule and if you can eliminate something else to make it happen.

Practicing self-care is important, even during the work day.

Here are some ways to incorporate self-care activities even when you are busy:

• Get moving – take time to get up and move throughout your day by going for a walk, stretching or using your lunch break to get outside.
• Eating healthy food regularly and staying hydrated can help prevent low mood or fatigue throughout the day.
• Get quality sleep regularly – make it a habit to wind down before bed and turn off your devices.

Talk to your manager or access mental health resources if you feel overwhelmed.

Remember to reach out for help. Ask your supervisor about workplace wellness programs and resources. You may also benefit from talking about your anxieties and stress through therapy provided by a counsellor or a peer support group. If you would like to learn more about support services near you, visit ementalhealth.ca.

Access free online supports to help you cope.

Free and confidential online supports are available with mental health resources and peer support when you need it.

• Togetherall is a peer-to-peer online community that allows Alberta residents to connect with others in an environment monitored 24/7 by mental health practitioners. The platform also offers free monitored courses and other mental health resources available to all Albertans age 16 and above.
• BounceBack is a free program from the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) designed to help adults and youth 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress or worry.

Tell us how you practice self-care and be entered to win some great prizes

Follow us on social media starting August 2, 2021, and share how you practice self-care to be entered to win weekly prizes of $10 Chapters/Indigo Gift Cards.

One lucky winner will also receive our grand prize pack that includes:

• A FitBit Versa 2
• One Cineplex Odeon gift card gift card worth $100
• Two tickets (worth $700 each) to the CMHA, Alberta Division’s Working Stronger Conference on March 8-9, 2022.

The social media campaign will feature posts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Follow our accounts to win!

• Instagram: @cmhaab | Facebook: @CMHAAlberta | Twitter: @CMHA_AB
• Instagram: @headsupab | Facebook: @headsupab | Twitter:@headsupab
• Instagram: @safegenab | Facebook; @safegenab | Twitter: @safegenab

If you or a loved one is experiencing mental health distress during this time, please call 211 (Alberta only) or the Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2642.