The Local Optimist Digest #10

Welcome to The Local Optimist Digest, your crib sheet for the latest news in mental health. Whether you want to know how the government is (or is not) investing in our wellbeing, discover the latest research on how the mind impacts the body, or find out which celebrities are helping destigmatize the conversation by opening up about their own mental health struggles, we’ll be covering it all here every other week. This week, we're looking at the new "911 for mental health," weight lifting as a balm for PTSD, and the latest troubling TikTok beauty trend.

The new "911 for mental health" is finally here

On Saturday, one of the biggest mental health feats of the last decade will come to fruition when the revamped National Suicide Prevention Hotline relaunches in its expanded form: as a hotline for those experiencing all forms of mental health and emotional distress, as well as suicide crises. Callers (who can remain anonymous) will be able to receive guidance from trained counselors who can also connect them to community resources or dispatch emergency services if necessary.  Just dial 988. READ

Yes, adults deserve playtime, too

One of adulthood's many depressing qualities (too much?) is that we lose our sense of play. But a host of research has shown that engaging in play as adults can brighten our mood and strengthen social and emotional skills. So does this mean you should order  Play-doh or invent an imaginary friend? Well, do you, but play can also encompass recreational sports, an acting class, or simply tossing around new ideas. The key is to look for activities that bring you pleasure and connection (sans any financial benefit). READ

Beyond the meathead: weight lifting is a balm for PTSD

Despite the heavy grunters in cut-off tanks at your local gym may have you believe, there is more to weight training than meets the eye. A growing number of people are turning to lifting as a healing force – one that makes them feel mentally strong and in control after experiencing traumatic situations that made them feel weak and powerless. While studies on the subject are nascent, one doctor noted that weight lifting appears to help those with PTSD reframe their worldview as well as their view of themselves. READ

The fight against eating disorders is stymied by misconceptions

Contrary to popular belief, it's very hard to tell that someone has an eating disorder just by looking at them. While they've long been stereotyped as a young white woman's disease, the majority of sufferers do not fit that stereotype. Research shows that Black and Latino women are actually more likely to suffer from certain EDs, less than 6% of people with EDs are underweight, and between 25-40% of those with EDs are male. Because of long-held misconceptions, many people with eating disorders continue to go overlooked by medical providers, family, and friends.  READ

Browse some online art, for your mental health

Viewing art at galleries and museums has been shown to improve an individual's mood, stress levels, and overall well-being and new research indicates that the same effects can be found from viewing art online. What's more, you don't have to spend an hour glued to your computer screen to reap the benefits: even spending as little as three minutes checking out art online was shown to have an impact on well-being. This is great news for the crowd-averse among us. READ

Another troubling TikTok trend: the "clean girl" aesthetic

TikTok, a platform we're meant to believe is forward-thinking, has done it again: promoted highly exclusionary beauty ideals that are arguably racist and classist. Today's culprit is its "clean girl" aesthetic videos, in which (mostly white) users who are skinny, have clear skin, and straight hair are celebrated, the subtext being that anyone who doesn't fit that mold is "dirty." File this under: the absolute last thing women need right now.  READ

Feeling mentally burnt out? We're right there with you. Just as exercise exhausts our muscles, too much intense focus on the news, work, or both can wear us down. To give your brain a break without boring yourself, experts say the best thing you can do is get outside without a goal to reach, like running or walking a certain number of miles.Why? Because it engages us in a state of "meandering, positive" attention that they call "soft fascination." It's a loose associative state in which we're not focused on one particular task or activity but, rather, open to unexpected connections and insights. Think of it as mental freedom, in place of the mental demands that are put on us when we're hard at work on a certain task.

Toxic masculinity is alive and well, but there are steps you can take to unlearn it

While major strides have been made in the fight against toxic masculinity – including a growing awareness that, yes, men have feelings, too – recent news has proven that it is still deeply ingrained in our culture. In order to continue shifting the narrative around what really makes a man (spoiler alert: there's no one size fits all), we've outlined some of the most important steps that all of us (yes, women and gender nonbinary folx, too) can take in our daily lives to help shift harmful misconceptions.  READ

Should you tell your boss that you're going to rehab?

In the wake of the growing mental health conversation, many companies have adapted their policies to be more inclusive of mental health concerns, but that doesn't mean it's any easier to open up to your boss that you're struggling. In the latest edition of The Cut's great new series on drinking (and not drinking), they explore one of the trickier mental health-meets-work questions that you might be faced with: should you tell your boss that you're going to rehab and, if not, then what should you say instead?  READ

Men's Health Network

In the spirit of fighting against toxic ideas about what constitutes masculinity, we wanted to turn the focus on Men's Health Network, a non-profit that (among many other things) works to support men's health and well-being through national education campaigns, a resource-rich men's healthcare network that's free to all, and comprehensive mental health awareness programs that aim to break the stigma surrounding men's mental health. Head HERE to check out their resources or donate to support their mission.

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