By Janine Ayoub.
Last week, Ali and I visited my cousin, after 5 years of not seeing each other. One of things she told us: “You have so much grey hair now! It wasn’t like this last time we met”. (She said it to Ali but I felt it’s also applicable to me. I think I need to talk about this to a professional). I love grey hair so I accepted this as a compliment and explained How we are much wiser now. Anyways, I paused to think. So much has happened in the past 4 years, so much so that it changed me to the core. My whole being has been shattered. For the past 4 years, we have been in a series of unfortunate events. Can I really be ok, especially today on Mental Health Day, and with so many reminders to take care of myself.
In a world marked by uncertainty and constant change, the pressures on our mental health are greater than ever. We are bombarded with crises—climate change, genocide and economic instability. It can feel overwhelming. However, by understanding how our brains process these challenges and adopting a positive but realistic mindset, we can better navigate these turbulent times and protect our mental well-being.
A cool researcher I like to listen to is Albert Moukheiber and I remembered today an interview he said last year on Sarde After Dinner (shoutout to Sarde team!). This is the episode, for those who want to listen to something inspiring today.. This episode taught me a lot about this modern phenomenon that is affecting us, the one we call burnout. He talks a lot about the need we have to always be productive and succeeding, and how we should instead be more gentle with ourselves. I took away the advice of taking true breaks daily: breaks when I’m just looking at a wall, not doing anything at all. This is excruciating and super hard, and I still try to practice it. It works mainly when I’m commuting or walking around. I try to pause things, without a to-do list or a goal in mind. Does anyone have any additional advice on how to do this?
We can do things to feel better
For those who like to know things, this is a simplified explanation about the way our brains function under stress. When we encounter a dangerous situation, our brain (amygdala) triggers the “fight or flight” response, releasing cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones are useful in short bursts, helping us react to immediate threats, but chronic stress keeps our brains in this heightened state. Over time, this can impair cognitive functions, reducing our ability to think clearly, make decisions, or manage emotions effectively. It also affects the hippocampus, the region responsible for memory and learning, making it harder to focus or feel motivated.
Understanding this, we can see why we often feel overwhelmed by the constant flow of negative news and global issues. BUT it’s not all dark, and we can “trick” and “treat” our brains to help us deal with things. There’s a lot of practices, mindfulness, gratitude, affirmations, etc. that help in restoring a sense of safety, so that our brains can pause for a bit of time. I love taking small playful moments, like jumping on the hopscotch someone drew in my neighbourhood or telling silly stories. It helps me stay grounded and take a pause.
Another important element is adopting a mindset rooted in positivism—an approach that encourages focusing on constructive actions and possibilities. For me, healing has always been through seeking purpose and control, mainly through supporting others and playing a role in making lives better. That’s how I survived the Beirut explosion in 2020, the covid pandemic, the moving around and losing my home to come to Canada, etc. By taking action, no matter its size, we activate the reward centers of our brain, releasing dopamine, the “feel-good” neurotransmitter. Since moving to Canada, I decided to face hardships instead of isolating myself and my emotions. I co-established YAMM and this allowed me to work and have an impact on causes I believe in. That’s how I can feel hopeful.
Finding community
Finally, we are communal beings, and most of us won’t be ok if our community is not ok. That’s why it’s super important to reach out to friends, family, or support networks. It allows us to fight the feeling of isolation and find the emotional grounding we need to navigate challenges. Neuroscientific studies show that social bonds stimulate the release of oxytocin, the “bonding hormone,” which helps reduce stress and promote feelings of security. I love it when, talking to people on a daily basis, they empathize with me and offer me a chance to slow down and be mindful. This is my community, these are the people who help me.
I wish for this culture code for every workplace, especially for the nonprofits and social enterprises. I’m amazed by the diversity and potentials in this ecosystem and I would like to support it be really inclusive. This means leaders and teams finding time and abundance to be able to slow down when needed, build community and be playful! I have seen amazing examples of how this can work and I hope to contribute, action by action.
Author Bio
Janine is a nonprofit leader and a certified fundraiser who enjoys helping meaningful nonprofits to grow. She builds on her wide experience to build a context-specific and adapted strategy for every organization she works with. She loves to solve puzzles, take long walks and learn new things.