Mental Health & Wellbeing in Events
Working as event professionals we are constantly told that it is one of the most stressful industries to be involved in. To be a successful and effective team it’s important to look after yourselves and each other, so here we’ve taken a look at our top 5 tips to help combat these issues.
1. Break the stigma
First things first we need to change our mind set around mental health and wellbeing. It should be something we are all constantly investing in proactively. Try and view your own mental health and your wider team’s as something you can constantly strengthen. When we drop this from our radar, stress and anxiety in particular can easily creep up on us.
2. Preparation
When you know you have a large event or project coming up ensure you aren’t running at 100% speed in advance. Reserve some of your energy, take some time out to relax, spend time with family or friends and prepare your meals, because once you’re in a live event setting it’s difficult to make time to do all these things. How many times have you been told to get more sleep? You know the changes you probably need to make – no caffeine, no phones, no tv before bed. Let today be the day you make these changes, break your routine, perhaps try a book or calm music before bed instead.
3. Something new
You don’t have to do things you don’t want to, but there’ll always be something that’s a good fit, even if you don’t know it yet. Yoga not for you? Not a problem, start an office sport team, volunteer at an animal centre, try a new hobby. Even the smallest change to your weekly routine can lift your mental wellbeing massively. Self care is important and you may inspire your colleagues to join you.
4. Map your mood
Sometimes we can get so caught up in the day to day the we don’t even realise that how we feel is fluctuating, nor do we consider the reasons why. Try mapping your mood, you will start to notice patterns that you didn’t see in your life before. This will then allow you to start to work out how to have more of the happier, stress free days and avoid certain negative triggers.
5. EventWell resources
EventWell are a social enterprise and resource for wellbeing advice, knowledge and support. They aim to make a tangible change within the industry, they have some brilliant resources and industry discussions at https://eventwell.org/ so take 5 minutes out of the day to have a read and make a change.
What steps have helped you to deal with the stresses of industry or day to day life? Join in the discussion on Twitter #EventWell.