1. Make social connection — especially face-to-face — a priority
Phone calls and social networks have their place, but few things can beat the stress-busting, mood-boosting power of quality face-to-face time with other people, especially those you love and people who energize you. For several years, COVID-19 significantly limited this opportunity, however as restrictions continue to lift, this may be a good time to rebuild safe in-person interactions.
2. Stay active
Staying active is as good for the brain as it is for the body. Regular exercise or activity can have a major impact on your mental and emotional health, relieve stress, improve memory, and help you sleep better.
3. Talk to someone
Talk to a friendly face. If you have concerns, stresses or worries, sharing these with someone who cares is one of the most effective ways to calm your nervous system and relieve stress. And vice versa: Sometimes listening to others in a safe and supported way can help you develop wider perspectives. It is important that both parties feel comfortable to share and hear each other’s thoughts, and if the worries are beyond this, consider speaking to a professional (see programs and resources at the end of the article).
4. Appeal to your senses
Does listening to an uplifting song make you feel calm? Does squeezing a stress ball help you feel centred? What about taking a walk in nature and enjoying the sights and sounds of the trees? Everyone responds to sensory input a little differently, so experiment with healthy sensory inputs (rather than unhealthy sensory inputs) to find what works best for you.
5. Take up a relaxation practice
Yoga, mindfulness, meditation and deep breathing can help reduce overall levels of stress.
6. Make leisure and contemplation a priority
We can all be guilty of being “too busy” to take some downtime, but leisure time is a necessity for emotional and mental health. Take some time to relax, contemplate, and pay attention to the positive things as you go about your day — even the small things. Write them down if you can, because they can be easy to forget. Then reflect on them later if your mood is in need of a boost.
7. Eat a brain-healthy diet to support strong mental health
Foods that may support your mood include beans, legumes (e.g., lentils), fatty fish rich in omega-3s, nuts (e.g., walnuts, almonds, cashews and peanuts), avocados, dark leafy greens (e.g., spinach, kale and Brussels sprouts), and fruit (e.g., blueberries). Dark chocolate has also been found to be potentially beneficial for mental health. For the best dietary and nutritional advice, talk to a registered dietician.
8. Don’t skimp on sleep
It matters more than many people think. Sleep is our body and mind’s best way to recharge and rejuvenate. One way to get sleep better is to take a break from the stimulation of screens — TV, phones, tablets or computers — in the hours before bedtime. Consider reading or listening to relaxing music instead.
9. Find purpose and meaning
This is different for everyone, but finding purpose in your day is a big factor to good mental health. You might try one of the following:
- Engage in work and play that makes you feel useful
- Invest in relationships and spend quality time with people who matter to you
- Volunteer, which can help enrich your life and make you happier
- Find ways to care for others, which can be as rewarding and meaningful as it is challenging
- Think of one good deed or gesture to do each day
Lowe’s has been a sponsor of ours since 2020, multiple different locations have donated a very large amount of materials to our organization across the northern part of the United States for projects we have done for veterans and their families. Thank you Lowe’s for all your help and support! Donated so far an estimated value of $10,800.00
Home Depot Foundation donated in 2021 roofing materials in value of $4,800.00 to our organization so we could put a new roof on a house for a retired Navy Senior Chief Vietnam Veteran in Florida. Thank you Home Depot!
In 2021 Hafer’s Guns out of Falling Waters, WV donated a single family modular home in value of $58,000.00 to us so we may give it to a homeless Army Veteran in Martinsburg, WV to live in. Thank you Hafer’s Guns
R-N-R Auto Body out of Hagerstown, MD has donated their time and materials to us when our Trucks need work done to them since we first started the organization in 2019. Thank you R-N-R Auto Body for keeping our Trucks looking sharp! Value of donations are estimated around $3,200.00
In 2021 Patriot Roofing in Middleburg, Fl has donated their time and materials to us to help put a new roof on a disabled veterans home in Florida. Thank you Patriot Roofing!! Estimated donations $7,500.00
Hilton Hotels have been sponsoring us since 2021 when needing a place to stay across the United States, we have received donated rooms for us and veterans needing a place to lay their head or somewhere to live while we help them with their living conditions. Thank You Hilton! Estimated value of donations since 2021 $2,100.00
In 2021 Digging & Rigging Inc. donated their time and equipment to help us move a modular home for a disable veteran 16 miles in value of $8,900.00. Thank you Digging & Rigging Inc. for your donations and all your help!!
In 2022 Range 214 donated a whopping $10,000.00 to us in check form to help us with any past due bills and current bills. Thank you Range 214 for this amazing non restricted donation. Thank you Range 214!!!
KCKC in 2021 donated $1,500 to our organization so we could fix our response vehicle when it broke done. Thank you KCKC for keeping our wheels turning!!
Metro Wrapz started sponsoring our organization in 2020 once our vehicle was shot twice. They fixed our vehicle and since then has wrapped our newest response team vehicle that we just received. We have received word that they are now offering us a lifetime sponsorship of free wraps moving forward. Thank You Metro for your love! Estimated donation that we received so far is $9,000.00.
American Metal Roofing in 2020 and 2021 has sponsored our organization by traveling to meet us and meet veterans that needed help with their roof. in 2020 they installed a brand new roof on a disabled veterans home for us in Hagerstown, MD. Thank you American Metal Roofing!! Estimated total value of donations $6,700
In 2020 Dave The Plumber LLC installed a new water heater and toilet for a disabled veteran in Hagerstown, MD for us. Thank You Dave The Plumber LLC! Estimated value of donation $950
Fast Lane Car Sales in Hagerstown, MD and Martinsburg, WV has sponsored us since 2021 with donations that we have used for various veterans around the Maryland and WV areas. Thank you Fast Lane Car Sales! Sponsorship value estimated at $3,500.00
Labers Office Furniture has been a sponsor of ours since 2020 and they have went above and beyond by making sure we have all the office materials we need including furniture. Estimated sponsorship value of $18,000.00. Thank you Labers!!
Potomac Valley Chiropractic has been a monthly sponsor of ours since 2020, they donate and hold fundraisers for us at their office in Gaithersburg, MD. We have also had the pleasure of them help various veterans that need their services for a very low discounted rate. Thank You Potomac Valley!! Estimated value so far donated $2,800.00
Datachieve has been a sponsor of ours since day one. They created our website and all our electronic forms so our organization can operate fully the way we need it to while holding the standard for confidentiality needed for our clients. Thank you Datachieve!! Sponsorship value of $2,400.00 so far.
ACMI have been a sponsor of ours since day one, they have helped us stay on track with our books and continue to make sure all our records stay current with all the states we are registered with and the federal government. Thank You ACMI!!! Estimated sponsorship so far donated is $4,100.00
Sara Watson! Mrs. Watson has been with the organization since December 2021 and has dedicated herself to our Mission. She has worked in many different departments and has done an exceptional job. Sara has also had the opportunity to go over the road to see first hand what we do and how we do it with the Veteran Response Team. Having Sara apart of our family has been great to have her leadership, dedication, personality, her knowledge on mental health and her love for order within our organization. We hope you all welcome her with open arms as we have, her husband is a veteran and they both have dedicated time to help BBRT. Sara and her husband have also brought their kids to multiple events. Her task in the organization have always came from the heart with a big smile.
