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 well-being, discover the latest research on how the mind impacts the body, or find out which celebrities are helping continue the conversation by opening up about their own mental health struggles, we’ll be covering it all here every week. This week, we’re looking at how to overcome social jetlag, the link between exercise and mental resilience, and the impact workaholism has on our mental health.

Social Jetlag: Symptoms And Ways To Recover

Over the past three years, more and more people have reported feeling a bit out of sorts. This “off” feeling, that many of us experience from time to time, can manifest through increased feelings of exhaustion, fatigue, disorientation, or irritation. Experts refer to these symptoms as social jetlag and share that if left unchecked, these feelings have the potential to negatively impact our mental health. However, experiencing social jetlag also presents an opportunity to transition, adjust, and move forward positively. READ.

The Link Between Exercise And Mental Resilience

Although it’s impossible to eliminate all of the worries and pressures in our lives, recent research indicates that exercise has the ability to boost our stress resilience. Exercise can be used as a way to activate intense, yet deliberate and acute, stressors on a recurring basis, which helps enhance our ability to handle daily stress. Experts speak on the subject, exploring why exercise is so powerful and offering practical tips to incorporate beneficial hormetic stress into your everyday life. READ.

U.S. Surgeon General Warns 13 Is Too Young To Be On Social Media

The US Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, has spoken up regarding the harmful effects social media has on the developing mind. Murthy suggests that the age of 13 is too young for children to use social media as the readily available information across apps has the potential to skew feelings of self-worth, belonging, and identity. On top of this, multiple studies have linked excessive social media use to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. The Surgeon General emphasizes the importance of being mindful of our social media habits and offers recommendations for staying mentally healthy in the digital age. READ.

How To Become More Conscious In Your Everyday Life

1. Be proactive, not reactive.

2. Find and reconnect with your authentic self.

3. Be mindful of who you let into your life.

4. Sync your lifestyle habits with your biological rhythms.

5. Embrace living in the moment.

Read MORE.

‘Workaholism’ And The Impact It Has On Our Mental Health

It is not easy to balance family & social life with work responsibilities all of the time. In fact, around 50% of Americans identified themselves as workaholics last year. There is evidence to suggest that some people turn to work as a way of coping with emotional problems, which may play a role in the development of work addiction. But what can be done to address this issue? Experts explore the subject and offer potential solutions, including increased awareness of how you use your time and shifting your mindset away from valuing work over leisure. READ.

Black Men Heal

This week, we are excited to highlight Black Men Heal, a non-profit organization established in 2018 to provide access to mental health treatment, psycho-education, and community resources to men of color. They aim to address the barriers of affordability/cost, lack of cultural competency in treatment provider selection, and stigma that prevent BIPOC men from seeking therapy. To learn more, utilize their resources, or donate, head HERE.

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