Katie Holland
Socializing is a fundamental necessity to remain sane in the face of many life stressors these days. We love to visit Five Points and have a glass of wine, maybe a beer, followed by a sun-kissed stroll and laughter with friends. Socialization is a cool drink on a hot summer day, a way to wind down; to catch up with friends and family.
It is hard to imagine that practically overnight, our entire lifestyle and approach to decreasing #stress can be drastically changed. Going from laughter in the sunshine to dampened and dark rooms with no permitted escape but technology and #alcohol. The mandated lockdowns that we endured from #COVID-19 in 2020 were intense, scary and poorly administrated. Communication errors came from everyone, the #CDC, the local government and even our peers.
The negative effects on #mentalhealth that we endured as a society from the drastic change in lifestyle will take years to address. #Domesticviolence, gunshot wounds, #depression and many other negative health outcomes increased drastically after the start of the lockdown. #Alcohol sales are still on the rise, healthy exercise habits are not increasing (along with dieting habits); #depression and aggressive #behaviors (such as #domesticviolence) are rising.
#James Donaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book,
Celebrating Your Gift of Life:
From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
Duval County had 405 emergency room visits from firearm injuries in 2020, in 2019 we had 300 and in 2018 it was 193. In 2020 there were 8,731 reported #domesticviolence offenses in Duval (a rate of 883 per 100,000). An estimated 21 million #adults had at least one major depressive episode in 2020.
We are two years separated from the original lockdowns, but we are not seeing healthy trending habits yet. So, what can we do to better ourselves and the community around us? Some steps we can begin to take are to reduce heavy drinking habits that were possibly formed when we had no other means of entertainment. Two drinks is a good limit to hold ourselves to when casually drinking (or maybe even quit drinking all together).
Let’s also be outside more! Vitamin D is not only good for your skin, but it is also great for #mentalhealth (and no, you cannot get vitamin D through a window …unless you’re nude). Try and limit technology time, when we come home there should not be an expectation to check emails or respond to work-related matters.
There needs to be a work-life balance and the company you work for may not be advertising that. #Socialmedia is a great way to connect, but also an easy way to lose hours of your life. Perhaps set a limit on your phone to only allow an hour of media platforms and yes — that includes news outlets.
One of the easiest habits we can begin is to simply be outdoors for the sake of it. You have to take a phone call? Go for a walk while you are talking on the phone and get fresh air with raw sunlight. Lunch in Avondale? Sit outside and have some shade provided by an umbrella, but still enjoy the crisp breeze on a sunny day while people-watching.
We were forced to change our lives in the wake of a #pandemic and some of us may be stuck in those monotonous, dark, dampened habits. That’s okay. But it’s 2022 and nobody is going to force you to be a better version of yourself than you. So, get outside, get some sun and breathe that non-recirculated air!
Katie Holland is a graduate student in UNF’s Master of Public Health program.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Guest column: Social consequences of #pandemic may be tough to overcome
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
