When I need to unplug, I head to my kitchen. Whether it is cooking or baking, I find the act of making to be relaxing, and it helps me to slow and sort out the thoughts running amuck in my head. When I start working on a recipe, I am able to get out of my head and just be in the moment. Once I'm in the kitchen, I don't stress over the adulting I have to do, my school or work to do lists, or the notifications on my phone. Cooking and baking have allowed me to try new things, take risks, and make mistakes in a way that feels safe for my anxiety. I love how recharged and settled I feel once I've finished a recipe, and the treats I get to eat when I'm finished are a huge perk!

May 3-9, 2021 marks Mental Health Week. As we’re roughly one year into the pandemic, adverse effects are being felt more commonly than usual during periods of isolation and uncertainty, leading to increased levels of anxiety and/or depression. Almost 38 per cent of Canadians, according to Statistics Canada, have reported that “due the COVID-19 pandemic, they experienced feelings of loneliness or isolation”1. With tighter restrictions and social distancing rules, many have faced long periods of screen time due to working from home or attending school digitally. While the impact of increased screen behaviour on mental and general health is unknown, a study done by Statistics Canada reported that “avoiding excessive screen time and engaging in exercise, particularly outdoors, were important behaviours associated with better perceived mental and general health” during the pandemic2.

In an effort to boost the importance of reducing screen time and promote healthy ways to unplug, the Antyx team is sharing how they unplug when faced with an increasingly digital environment. #AntyxUnplugged

Sources:

1 https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/210318/dq210318a-eng.htm

2https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-003-x/2020006/article/00001-eng.htm

#AntyxUnplugged - Nic