DiveThru

Gig Economy Jobs and the Stress on Your Mental Health

Working in a gig economy isn’t exactly like working your typical 9-to-5 (move over, Dolly Parton!). When we say gigs, we’re talking about the independent contractors and freelancers who work on a part-time or temporary basis. Believe it or not, they kinda make the world go ‘round. That Airbnb host from your cozy cabin getaway? Gig worker. The photographer from your sister’s wedding? Gig worker. The Uber driver bringing you safely home after a wild night out? Yep. You guessed it!

Sooo, what’s the deal with gig economy jobs, anyway? Do freelance workers know some kind of secret the rest of us don’t? Like the key to work-life balance?! Let’s dive thru why some people might lean towards these types of jobs and how they impact mental health.

Why Some Rely on Gig Economy Jobs

First of all, why would someone choose a gig economy job over something that’s full-time, permanent, and ya know…more stable? Fair question. A lot of it depends on the kinda lifestyle you want, but some people simply don’t have another option. An alarming corporate trend is showing companies foregoing their permanent employees in favour of contract positions. In the U.S. and Canada, contractors aren’t as protected by employment laws, meaning employers save a ton of money because they don’t need to provide medical insurance, vacation pay, or sick days to their staff. It also means that they don’t have the responsibility of deducting taxes from pay, leaving a lot of contractors writing an I.O.U. to the government come tax time. We asked influencer marketing expert Lia Haberman, UCLA Extension, about this shift.

“Companies like Uber and Lyft have really benefited from gig work. For example, they’ve actively lobbied to prevent gig workers in California from being classified as employees so they can avoid paying them benefits. So it’s important to protect yourself and look for opportunities where your work is valued and you’re appropriately compensated for your time.”

Why Some Choose Gig Economy Jobs

For those who choose the gig life, the flexibility to set your own schedule — and the ability to pick and choose which jobs to take — is a big positive. Or, for someone with another full-time job, or in school working towards a degree, freelance work might help make ends meet.

Here’s what one of our DiveThru team members, Megan, shared about her personal experience as a freelancer:

“You need to be good at setting boundaries, otherwise it gets really easy for work to overtake your personal life. There’s not always reliable income, and income is not always the same amount month to month, which can make budgeting tricky. Freelancing, I feel, has had a positive impact on my mental health when it comes to setting boundaries for sure. When I first started freelancing, I was going to school full-time, working part-time AND freelancing, all while not really saying no to anything. I burned myself out pretty quickly and had to learn to set boundaries for myself and start saying no — a practice that has also carried over into my personal life.

Have I felt anxiety and stressed out over my freelance income? 100,000%! Always trying to make sure I was working enough hours, trying to figure out how much money to set aside for taxes, stressing whether I’d make enough if I lost a client…. But I definitely gravitate towards the freelance work structure myself. I like having the flexibility to choose my start and end times, and being able to book appointments during the day. I also work best when I am able to watch TV all day while I work, and most companies don’t allow that!”

Ok so clearly, working a gig economy job has its perks. And they’ve gotta be incredibly beneficial to your quality of life. Having the option to work from home and set your own hours?? That sounds like the best! But it also comes with its own set of mental health challenges that aren’t talked about enough.

How Working Gigs Can Affect Mental Health

Even though working as a freelancer seems like the perfect solution to earn some extra cash, it’s not always the easiest route. It might’ve looked SUPER glamorous, but Carrie Bradshaw really had to hustle to find a stable income as a writer. Abbi and Ilana were always picking up side jobs to supplement their income. Even Ms. Norbury went to a part-time gig at the mall after teaching Cady Heron and her mean-girl friends all day.

Gig economy jobs can come with a ton of stress and uncertainty that most people won’t understand until they’ve been there. We went straight to our in-house mental health professional, Natalie Asayag, for her thoughts on what the industry is doing to our mental health:

“A gig economy offers some benefits to its workers — flexibility, and a sense of autonomy and control over their schedule. For some, this can boost their quality of life, as they appreciate structuring their own days. Though, there are certainly major downsides.

Depending on the type of work, many feel anxious about reviews and payment from customers, as this is a precarious experience. Furthermore, many markets are oversaturated, leaving workers stressed about finding enough gigs to pay their living expenses. More specifically, individuals in the freelance realm can find it challenging to draw boundaries with their work, feel a strong sense of uncertainty regarding the availability of work and struggle with time management when left to structure their own schedules.”

So despite having a flexible schedule, and the freedom to choose which gigs are worth taking, the burnout from gig economy jobs is reaaal. Some people might start to overwork themselves to make sure they get the next paycheque…or out of fear of losing work. The lack of stability can create anxiety and start to seep into other areas of your life. You might struggle to enjoy your downtime — or turn your brain on ‘rest mode’ — when you aren’t working, since all you can think about is when your next gig will come.

Gig Economy Pros and Cons

Like any job, working gigs comes with pros and cons. The ability to choose when you work, and which jobs you wanna take, could be reeeaaally helpful for your mental health. The same could be said about creative freedom and being in control of the direction of your projects. Having the same schedule everyday might not be suited for you or your lifestyle so this variety in work could be PERFECT for you!

On the flip side, the instability that comes with freelance and contract work does get pretty overwhelming sometimes. You might have to consider how inconsistent work would impact your family. You might have to think about higher personal expenses and/or no benefits. Taxes are another thing that freelancers have to worry about which can be the. absolute. worst! All of that, combined with the isolation that sometimes crops up from working alone, takes a toll on the mental health of gig economy workers.

How to Care for Your Mental Health

Checking in with how your work is impacting your mental health is SUPER important, no matter what type of job you have! Not sure how to handle your work stress? Don’t worry, we gotchu. Here some quick tips for managing stress as a gig worker or freelancer:

1. Learn to Say No

Say it loud and say it proud — “NO, I can’t take on the extra work.” “NO, I’m too busy for that right now.” “NO, I’m not interested in that type of work.” It gets easier with practice, we promise!

2. Know Your Stressors

Remember, stress overtime can lead to major burnout. So know your stressors — like an impending deadline — and prepare for them ahead of time! You’ll thank yourself later.

3. Take Breaks

From now on, your breaks are MANDATORY, you got that?? After you practice some self-care and enjoy your free time, you’ll show up for work feeling rested, inspired and ready to go.

4. Choose Work You Enjoy

You’re in control of your schedule here, so choose work that you actually enjoy doing. What a concept, right? Choosing work that you’re excited about helps balance out those not-so-fun gigs you take on for extra cash. Go have some fun!

5. Be Kind to Yourself

We’re always our own worst critic. So it’s no surprise how hard we can be on ourselves when we’re literally our own boss! Remind yourself that you’re only ONE person (who’s doing their damn best). That’s enough.

No matter what gig economy job — or jobs — you decide to take and how you wanna manage your work-life balance, ultimately the choice is all yours, baby! There’s no one-size-fits-all solution that works for everyone (but it would be a loooot simpler if that were the case). So don’t feel like you have to compare your situation to someone else’s. You’ll figure out what’s best for you, ‘cause nobody knows you better than yourself. Btw, we’re rooting for you always!

Feeling Confused: A Guide to Your Emotions

Feeling confused is more than just looking at a math problem and not knowing how the hell to solve it (but math is hard, so we totally get that feeling too)! We might feel confused about how we feel, about something that someone has said to us, or an event in our lives. We might replay these events over and over in our minds: Why didn’t I get that promotion? What did they mean by that comment? Why did they ghost me when I reached out?

To fill in the gaps, we might come up with our answers. And usually, we assume the worst! We automatically feel that we have done something wrong, even though we’re probably just overthinking it. Or maybe we’re struggling to come to a big decision because we just. don’t. know. what. to. do!

Looking for answers and obsessing over all of the possibilities is totally common. We all do it, so don’t feel like you’re alone here. Feeling confused, lost or uncertain are all a part of being human. So let’s dive thru feeling confused and how you can navigate this tricky emotion!

A Deeper Look at Feeling Confused

What does it really mean to feel confused? Hey, that’s a great question! APA Dictionary defines confusion as: “n. a mental disturbance characterized by bewilderment, inability to think clearly or act decisively, and disorientation for time, place and person.” Okay, that last part? Those are extreme cases of confusion (not knowing who you are, or where you are). So we’re gonna focus more on feeling confused about your feelings and struggling to make decisions. That’s probably why you’re here!

Let’s look at a possible scenario that could leave you feeling confused. Maybe you’ve gone out on a few dates with someone, and you both really hit it off from the start. They text you 24/7 and you have great conversations. You start to get really close because you have so much in common, lots to talk about and overall, you just click. It seems like you’re getting closer the more time you spend together and you start to see the relationship becoming more official.

But then: plot twist. They end things suddenly. It could be a brief convo, or they do the worst possible thing by totally ghosting you. This completely shocks you and leaves you feeling not only rejected, but confused as hell. Things were going so great, weren’t they? Or were you misreading everything that happened?! Without proper closure, you just feel totally lost about how to move on.

We can also feel a lot of confusion when we have a big decision to make. You might have been accepted to a few different colleges, but you’re unsure which to choose because they’re all so great. Maybe one is closer to home and your family, so it would be nice to have their support. But another school could be in your dream city, plus their program is widely renowned. You feel confused because your emotions are pulling you into opposite directions: staying close to what you know, or branching out. How the hell are you supposed to decide?!

We get it, it’s hard to go through times of confusion. You might feel overwhelmed, anxious and like you can’t focus on one thing. Pause! Take a deep breath. It’s gonna be okay, and you will get through this. Start by focusing on what you DO know and feel sure about. Be patient with yourself. It might take some time, but no matter what, you can get through this.

How Feeling Confused Shows Up Mentally

Our mental state can definitely be affected when we feel confused. Here are a few symptoms you might experience when you’re going through confusion:

– Difficulty concentrating or feeling unfocused

– Brain fog or feeling groggy

– Becoming irritabile or moody for no reason

In more extreme cases, confusion can include mumbling or saying things that don’t make any sense, not recognizing where you are, forgetting things easily, or seeing things that are not there. This can happen when you feel overtired, have difficulty sleeping at night, or have other medical conditions.

Obviously, these are scary things to experience and should be taken very seriously! Conditions like dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are linked to feelings of confusion. It’s important to see medical attention if these symptoms persist and start to affect your daily life.

How Feeling Confused Shows Up Physically

Just like it affects your mental wellbeing, confusion also affects your physical health. Confusion can be linked to the following symptoms in your body:

– Pain

– Low blood sugar

– Diabetes

– Low sodium

– Low calcium

– Seizures

– Strokes

Although associated with feeling confused, these symptoms could also be caused by alcohol or drug abuse, and carbon monoxide poisoning. Certain medications can also have confusion listed as a side effect. If you experience any combination of these signs for a prolonged amount of time, it’s important to seek medical attention! Listen to your body, always.

5 Ways to Cope with Feeling Confused

When we feel confused, it can also make us feel really lost and scared. We might not know what to do next! But that’s why we’re here to help you out. Here are some coping strategies to try out whenever you’re feeling confused:

1. Reach Out for Support

You don’t have to deal with this emotion all on your own. Having someone be there for us by listening, validating our feelings and providing some advice when we ask for it can be really helpful when working through confusion. So reach out to someone trustworthy who will be the pillar of support you need, whether it’s your partner, friend or family member. You are not alone!

2. 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Exercise

When you’re dealing with confusion, this is a great method for clearing your head and improving focus. Engage all five senses and mindfully notice five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste. Go in any order that makes sense for you and your current situation – no pressure!

3. Journal

There’s nothing quite like pouring out all of your emotions onto a page, we tell ya! Try writing down how you feel, where you think these feelings are coming from and explore those thoughts. This is also a helpful practice for reframing any negative thoughts you’re experiencing. Journaling gives you tons of clarity, to say the least! Releasing those feelings can help you move forward with a lot more perspective than before.

4. Engage In Compassionate Self Talk

Confusion can make us question and doubt ourselves. We might start to criticize and speak negatively about ourselves because we feel insecure. Try to turn those thoughts around by practicing some compassionate dialogue instead! Say out loud to yourself: Everyone feels lost sometimes. I’m not the only one. I’m only human!

5. Give Yourself a Pep Talk

Sometimes, we gotta give ourselves a little pep talk in order to turn those negative thoughts around. Try saying some encouraging phrases to yourself out loud: I feel confused right now but that’s okay. I’ve dealt with this feeling before and I can do it again. I know who I am!

Okayyy, that’s all we have for now! Hopefully you find these tips helpful and feel less alone as you navigate this confusing emotion. Remember: we are rooting for you!

15 Mental Health Memes That Are Incredibly Relatable

When it comes to mental health, having serious conversations is super important. But you know what’s also important? Seeing mental health content that makes us smile. Or better yet, laugh! With everything going on in our daily lives, we could probably use some cheering up now and then. And in case you didn’t know, it’s totally ok to laugh at your struggles from time to time — it helps you avoid burnout. So let’s poke some fun at it the best way we know how…with some #relatable mental health memes, of course.

1. How Do I Make It Clearer

No, really. We’re all stressed.

2. Go Easy On Me

Adele on repeat for depressy days.

3. Plants Are Love, Plants Are Life

Raise your hand if you also purchase house plants on a regular basis for a serotonin boost… Don’t be shy, we’re all friends here.

take care of your mental health meme — Image Source

4. TFW You Get What You Deserve

You know what feels so, so good? Gettin’ allll of the above and nothing less!

mental health memes serious — Image Source

5. Calling All Besties

Having a support group who you can count on? Yep, that’s the best.

6. Immediately No.

Immediately no.

7. #studentlife

‘Nuff said.

8. Ah Fuk

Every. Single. Time.

9. What’s The Procedure?

Oh my god! Okay, it’s happening. Everybody stay calm.

10. Call Me Remy

Progress, baby. Always working towards a better relationship with food.

positive mental health memes — Image Source

11. When Your Thoughts Won’t Chill TF Out

HANG ON…it’s gonna be a bumpyyy ride.

12. We’ll Take It

relatable mental health memes — Image Source

13. Oops, I Did It Again

Baby Yoda didn’t have to call us out like this…

memes about mental health — Image Source

14. Call Me Bella Swan

“There’s a possibilityyy” on repeat until March.

15. C A P A B L E

That’s enough being perceived for today.

We hope you found these mental health memes super relatable! Keep in mind: it’s okay to not take yourself so seriously all the time. No matter what you’re going through, letting yourself laugh a little can seriously help when times are tough. Follow us on Instagram for more mental health memes like the ones above — we wanna laugh with you!

What Is Unconditional Love in a Relationship? 8 Great Examples

For those who grew up listening to love songs, we bet you were pretty busy imagining what your future love life would look like and daydreaming about who you’ll be with forever and ever. Ahhhh romance. We remember it well! But if you haven’t been in a relationship where unconditional love is a major player, you might be wondering what does it mean to love someone unconditionally?? What is that even supposed to look like?? We’ve gotchu, boo.

Unconditional love has a lot of layers. Shrek would probably argue that it resembles an onion or an ogre. Relationships aren’t easy, no matter what the dynamic is, and there can be a lot to consider when difficult and strenuous situations pop up. And sometimes when this happens, the unconditional-ness can start to feel more like an obligation rather than a selfless act of kindness.

So, let’s break it allll down together! We’re getting into what unconditional love really is and what it REALLY isn’t.

What Is Unconditional Love?

WOW that’s a heavy term, isn’t it? No strings attached, no expectations, no fine print, just… unconditional.

The problem with the term “unconditional love” is that it has a different definition for everyone who uses it. And this can get a little tricky because it can lead to us putting unrealistic expectations on ourselves or our partners. For some people, it might mean defending a friend regardless of whether they are right or wrong. For others, it might mean being the ‘responsible one’ and calling out a friend when they’re making a questionable decision. Either way, it’s really about giving in to the vulnerability of loving someone wholeheartedly.

Unconditional love can be between just about anyone in any kind of relationship. Friendships, romantic relationships, the relationship between a parent and a child, you name it! We even see this type of love from our pets. But what does unconditional love really look like?

1. No Strings Are Attached

Loving someone unconditionally means that you don’t have an ulterior motive or unspoken expectation of obligation from the other person. No conditions. Just love. It’s a totally selfless act of caring for another person without thinking about how these actions could benefit you in the future.

You just genuinely want to love, help and care for someone! And that’s pretty fucking incredible. It’s one of the best gifts that you could give to another person. The best feeling is when this person is able to reciprocate your no-strings-attached love, because it means that you’re well on your way to fostering a healthy and happy relationship!

2. Partners Support Each Other

Supporting your partner — or anyone you love for that matter — can bring a lot of happiness and health to a relationship. Helping your partner through tough times, emotional struggles and life changes can help you accomplish more together than you ever likely could on your own. Likewise, you get to share the good times and celebrate your individual wins together! The keys to supporting your partner are open communication, honesty, kindness and equality.

3. Partners Honour Requests Without Compromising Themselves

This is a masssssiiiiveee point that we want to really emphasize. Loving someone unconditionally does not mean that you can’t have boundaries. We’ll get more into boundaries and love a little later, but for now, we have to talk about your needs.

The person, or people, you love can ask for your help. BUT, you’re not obligated to help or agree to their request if it goes against your own needs, boundaries and morals. And they shouldn’t expect you to compromise yourself to help them. Unconditional love can still be considered unconditional love when boundaries are included. In fact, we HIGHLY recommend it!

4. Tough Times Are Worked Through With Kindness

It’s only natural for relationships to hit rough patches. No one is perfect and no one has a perfect relationship. You might be close, but we’re allll bound to have a disagreement every once in a while. Forgiveness, kindness, listening skills and calm communication are major players when it comes to working through rough spots. The key is that everyone in the relationship has to enact these techniques because, otherwise, it’s unfair and unkind to the other(s).

5. Partners Provide Security for Each Other

With unconditional love, there is no fear or sense of uncertainty. It’s secure, kind and loving. You don’t feel like you have to walk around on eggshells to placate the other person. It’s safe and warm, and it’s an emotional space without judgement that you share with this person.

Unconditional Love Examples

Let’s take everrryyytthing we just learned and think about ways we can put it into practice. Here are a few examples that might help you express this feeling! They might also help you answer the big overwhelming question…what IS unconditional love in a relationship? Well, it looks like this.

“I love that about you.”

“No matter what, your Dad and I will always be proud of you.”

“It’s okay to feel sad.”

“I don’t feel the same way but I understand why _______ is important you.”

“Congratulations! I’m so excited for you! You’ve worked so hard for this.”

“I know you have a really busy day so I’ve made your lunch for you.”

“Have a great day at school honey! Enjoy your lunch. Love, Dad.”

“Hey! I got you something. I saw this in the store and it made me think of you.”

Unhealthy Forms of Love to Watch For

Many of us feel that when we offer unconditional love to someone we have to continue to love them regardless of any changes — like if they cross boundaries or disregard your needs. We’re here to tell you that’s not true and that it’s actually unhealthy af to do this. This is what conditional love looks like:

1. It Comes With Limits

Loving without boundaries can lead to serious issues, like being unhappy, abused and taken advantage of. You’re not meant to overlook the hurt and pain that another person causes you. It’s not healthy and TOTALLY unfair to you.

2. Strings ARE Attached

If there are strings attached to love…OOF! That’s not good. Love is not unconditional if you or your partner are expecting the other person to be emotionally obligated in one way or another. When there are strings attached there’s an expectation of something in return. Yes, you should totally expect that the respect and love you give is reciprocated. But, if your partner is expecting you to do something uncomfortable that goes against your own wellbeing, that’s unacceptable.

3. Boundaries Are Ignored

Boundaries are sooooooo important in relationships. It’s important to communicate your boundaries with your partner in a caring and kind way so that the two of you can work to respect the other’s needs. When one person is blatantly ignoring the other’s boundaries the relationship becomes unhealthy. This behaviour can lead to hurt, neglect, pain and even abuse. We DEFINITELY don’t want that to happen to you. Stay strong and don’t let anyone cross a line and disrespect your loving heart!

4. Inappropriate Behaviour and Disrespect Is Overlooked

If someone has crossed a line, hurt you, disrespected you, and still expects you to accept it all, that’s not love. The meaning of unconditional love isn’t that you overlook this shit and accept it. You are not meant to tolerate abuse and disrespect. That should never — everrrrr — be expected of you by your partner! Remember that your needs matter and you deserve kindness and respect from the other person.

5. Needs Are Neglected

It’s normal to care for someone else’s needs when you’re in a relationship, but it’s not ok to forget about your own. It’s also not ok for someone to expect you to neglect your needs for their own benefit. That’s some controlling behaviour and we are NOT here for it.

Remember how we said that you are not obligated to assist someone and respond to their request if it compromises you in any way? Apply that shit here! You can still give someone unconditional and selfless love while respecting yourself and your boundaries. You come first, baby!

Examples of Conditional Love

“I did everything for you and all you’ve done is disappoint me.”

“This is the thanks I get? After everything I’ve given you?”

“I would think you’d respect my opinion more than that after all that I’ve given you!”

“My parents would be upset with me if I wasn’t doing well in school.”

“My parents are upset with me because they don’t like the person I’m dating.”

“Our Dad yelled at us when we didn’t match his expectations.”

“Grandma only likes to talk to me when I’m doing well in life.”

“My partner is upset with me because I want to become an artist instead of staying at my office job.”

“My best friend ignores me when I need them most, but always expects me to drop everything and help them.”

“I get chastised if my opinions are even a little different from theirs.”

How to Love Unconditionally, With Boundaries

It is totally 100% possible to love unconditionally while having boundaries for yourself and your partner. It helps both of you know what you need and expect from each other, and serves as a blueprint for how to go about your relationship. And this isn’t just for romantic relationships. This is for allllll relationships. It might be hard to establish these boundaries with people, like your parents or friends, if there is already a lot of history between you. But boundaries are necessary in order to have a healthy and respectful relationship, no matter what the dynamic is.

1. Be Transparent About Your Expectations

Be honest! It can be hard to tell people what we really want and need, but it’s necessary in order to have the other person respect your boundaries and wishes. They can’t know what they are unless you telllll them.

Have a little sit down with them. Maybe pull out a glass of wine and say “Ok, I want us to have the healthiest relationship possible, so we need to know what the other person wants and needs,” then lay out your expectations for them. If at any point this other person doesn’t respect your boundaries and expectations, then tell them! Don’t hold that shit in! Be honest about how that makes you feel and work together to correct it. (But the key is making sure that they don’t take advantage of you. Remember what we said about that? Good!)

2. Learn to Listen

Listening has to be a two-way street in any relationship! You can actively work to become a better listener so that you hear and know what your partner needs. Listening helps the other person feel seen, heard, respected and cared for. What beautiful feelings to give to someone you love, right?! When we stop listening, communication breaks down and conflict starts to pop up. And conflict leads to negative emotions, so we want to avoid that as much as we can.

So, open up your ears and open up your heart because learning to love and listen is hella important!

3. Communicate in a Non-Defensive Way

If you’ve been hurt by your partner, try to approach them in a calm and open manner. Learning to communicate in a healthy and effective way can be difficult when you feel so strongly about things. But conflict can’t be resolved when you both come in hot with emotions running high. That will only help create a defence spiral where the two of you start blaming the other for any issues.

That’s uhh… that’s not going to get you anywhere. So, approach every tough conversation with patience and understanding. But also take no shit! It’s a fine line to walk, but we know you can do it!

4. Notice Control Tactics

If the other person in the relationship is trying to control, gaslight, or manipulate you, shut that shit dowwwwn. We know that it’s not possible to do this in every situation, because safety can be a real concern. But don’t let anyone treat you unfairly. If this is happening, reach out to people around you, contact domestic violence organizations or safe houses in your area for advice or shelter, and reach out to friends and family for help. Keep your eyes peeled for any relationship red flags. YOU ARE DESERVING OF LOVE AND RESPECT, and anyone who makes you feel less than isn’t willing to love you unconditionally.

5. Share Power

No one person should have the upper-hand in a relationship. That’s an unhealthy and abusive dynamic that can get unsafe really quickly. A relationship isn’t a competition, it’s about sharing your life with another person. There should be respect on both sides and an understanding that you both have value, and you both have to be open to listening and changing.

Unconditional love, simply put, is the kindest version of ourselves — but we don’t have to offer up this love without bounds. Unconditional love is the choice to love and respect each other every single day. It doesn’t come without its difficulties, but when you get it right, it feels sooooo good. Love has the ability to improve our lives, benefit our mental health and help us become the best possible version of ourselves. Life becomes happier, brighter and more exciting when you have loving people to share it all with.

7 Charities That Support Black Mental Health

Organizations who support mental health do some incredible work not only to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, but also to provide resources for those who need it. The Black community has continuously been targeted by systemic racism and trauma, which are negative contributors to mental health. And Black mental health organizations are providing focused, thoughtful resources for community members. Support for mental health = everything!

We want to highlight organizations who are actively working for the Black community and providing the mental health resources that are needed. Here is a special shout-out to a few amazing charities that support Black mental health:

1. Black Health Alliance

Black Health Alliance is a charity that actively addresses key issues within the Black communities of Canada through fundraising, research and public policy, and capacity building. Their main areas of focus are social determinants of health, health inequities, anti-Black racism, and building connected communities. The goal of the Black Health Alliance is to improve the health and well-being of Black communities in Canada by making lasting, impactful changes!

2. Black Women’s Health Imperative

For 38 years, Black Women’s Health Imperative has done amazing work to address health issues affecting Black women and girls in the U.S. This organization delivers incredible programs and advocates health-promoting policies to improve overall health and wellness for women of the Black community. They’re important advocates for both mental health awareness and affordable health care rates.

3. Therapy for Black Men

Therapy For Black Men is an organization that offers exactly what it says: mental health resources for Black men! These resources include therapy, coaching and articles. The articles are published by experts who are specially equipped to work with men in the Black community who deal with unique challenges and stigmatization in society.

4. Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective

From advocates to psychologists, therapists to lawyers, religious leaders to teachers, the Black Emotional And Mental Health Collective is a dynamic group of people who are committed to promoting emotional and mental health in the Black community. Their vision is a “world with no barriers to Black healing” through education, training, advocacy and even the creative arts!

5. Black Minds Matter UK

Black Minds Matter UK’s mission is to “connect Black individuals and families with free mental health services — by professional Black therapists to support their mental health.” Amazingly enough, this charitable organization provides 12 weeks of therapy for members of the Black community in the UK to make mental health resources more accessible!

6. Therapy for Black Girls

Connecting women and girls within the Black community to therapists, and promoting mental wellness, is what Therapy For Black Girls is all about! Their online community includes a directory to help find a therapist, provides mental health resources and opens the conversation around therapy to reduce stigma.

7. The Trevor Project

Founded in 1998, The Trevor Project is considered “the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25.” Part of their mission as a crisis counseling organization is to support and uplift the mental health of Black queer youth across the United States. Amazing!

It’s important to recognize the hard work so many mental health charities are doing for the mental wellbeing of Black communities. We’ve only listed a handful of organizations but there are many more. If you’re able to donate or get involved with any Black mental health organizations listed above or the local ones in your area, we highly encourage it.

Introducing Your Kids to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

40 years ago, the typical image of a nuclear family was a wife, a husband, and two kids. But over the last few decades, that has thankfully changed! There can be 2 dads, 2 moms, 3 dads, 3 moms, 2 dads and one mom, or parents who go by a different name because they don’t identify with a binary gender. The possibilities are endless!

If you’re reading this article, you probably want to teach your kids to be accepting of all family dynamics and want to make sure that they respect a person’s sexual orientation and gender identity. That’s amazing! Thank you for being such a great parent and choosing to raise your kid with a mind open to allll kinds of love and allll kinds of people.

So how do you reinforce the idea that non-heteronormative family structures are cool and totally normal? You start early and you do it one day at a time!

We’ve put together a little guide to help you along the way! (You didn’t think we were gonna let you do this all alone, did you??) It’s broken down into age groups and it has some pretty wicked resources. **humble brag** Ahem. So, let’s dive thru it!

Ages 0-8

It’s sooooo important to be showing your kids Queer representation from day 1! There can be a lot of heteronormative portrayals out there in the world, and they can really impact how your child perceives Queer relationships. Despite your best efforts to reinforce that Queer love and relationships are awesome, the media they consume might tell them otherwise.

So how do you start teaching your kids about non-heterosexual sexual orientation and gender identity in age-friendly ways?

DiveThru Recommended Videos

Don’t fear! There’s a ton of fantastic content on the internet to help you teach your kids about everything Queer! One of our favourite resources is a YouTube channel called Queer Kid Stuff. We’ve mentioned it in one of our other articles, but we really do love it as a resource for parents!

This channel talks about everything Queer related in age-appropriate and kid-friendly ways. Some of our favourite videos are What Does Gay Mean?, LGBT Representation in Kids Media, Pronouns, and their Pride Month Celebrations!

If you’re looking to spend some time in front of a screen, we totally recommend that you put on one of their videos and hang out with the fam!

DiveThru Recommended Books

DiveThru started out as a journaling app, so you know that we are big advocates for reading and writing! That’s why we think that reading books to your kids that have positive Queer representation is so important.

Reading books is one of the first things that you do with your child, and we love the idea of incorporating books that represent people and kids of all gender identities and sexual orientations!

Here are some of our favourites:

– I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel

– Pride: Celebrating Diversity & Community by Robin Stevenson

– Star-Crossed by Barbara Dee

– And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, Illustrated by Henry Cole

– Sparkle Boy by Leslie Newman

Ages 9-14

Insults and name-calling really start to become a thing for kids in this age range. It’s important to teach them that it’s not ok to refer to someone or something as gay in a derogatory or insulting way.

You need to talk about why insults regarding sexual orientation and gender identity aren’t ok, and make sure to educate your kid on the history of the Queer Community. Teach them about the Stonewall Riots and how Queer people were shunned and persecuted by the police just for existing. There were frequent raids of clubs and bars, and Queer people were treated brutally by law enforcement. Being gay was also seen as a mental disorder and something that was worthy of being hospitalized.

Ya, it’s dark shit, but it’s important that they understand the history of their words and that there is a significant amount of hurt behind them.

DiveThru Recommended Books:

Annnnd we’re back again to talk about books! Many of us were avid YA novel fans (the best genre ever in our opinion), so why not help your kids find YA books they’ll love that also have Queer representation!

Here is a list from theconversation.com of 5 happy and uplifting YA books that have Queer representation in them:

– Euphoria Kids by Alison Evans

– The Disasters by M.K. England

– The Summer of Jordi Perez (and the Best Burgers in Los Angeles) by Amy Spalding

– Not Your Sidekick by C.B. Lee

– Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

Ages 15-18

We’re gonna be honest and a bit blunt (why else would you come to us if not for blunt honesty?). This is the age where kids are going to become more sexually active, or at least think about it, and might begin to have some questions about how the specifics of Queer sex works.

If you don’t feel totally comfortable talking to your kid about this, that’s ok! It was probably hella awkward for you to talk about the birds and the bees with your parents too. But it’s important to at least show your kids that you’re happy to support them learning about safe and consensual sex with a partner of any gender!

If you want to do some research on your own, that’s awesome! Look up things like “how does gay sex work?” or “how do lesbians have sex?” You don’t have to know everything about it, but it’s good to understand some of the basics so that you can support your Queer kiddo or at least point them in the right direction if they have any questions.

But realistically, your kid has access to the internet, so they’ll be able to answer a lot of their own questions just by looking them up.

These kinds of conversations are soooo uncomfortable, but if you create a sex-positive and educational environment for your kid, they’re going to be a lot more comfortable coming to you when they face any problems or have questions.

DiveThru Tips

This is a great age to start introducing them to documentaries like Paris Is Burning or The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson. These are two phenomenal documentaries that talk about Queer life, and history, in really impactful and meaningful ways. These docs show the plight of Queer people and how they’ve had to fight tirelessly for basic human rights.

Encourage your kids to join clubs and groups that promote equality and queerness. Take them to events like Drag Bingo or even a Drag show! Let them read books by Queer authors, take them to Pride Parades, and let them experience as many different facets of the Queer Community in order to understand the group as a whole as much as possible.

You’ll Do Great!

We know that it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to teaching kids about the Queer Community, sexual orientation and gender identity — but we believe in you! We know that you’re already doing a fantastic job as a parent because you’re reading this article.

There are many more resources out there for each age group, so if you have any suggestions on other educational material that we can include, please let us know! We’ll go back and add it in so that more parents and kids have access to a bunch of different and fantastic educational materials.

‘Why Am I Getting Ghosted?’ Here Are Some Theories

Ahhhh dating. Isn’t it a fun time? Just kidding. It can feel like playing the lottery every day and not even winning $25 to cover the cost of the tickets.

What’s even worse is when you feel like you’re getting somewhere with a person and then POOF! Ghosted! Out of nowhere!

If you’re reading this article then we assume that you’ve probably been ghosted. Sorry to hear that, friend. We’ve all been there. The DiveThru team member writing this blog has umm… some pretty fucking sad first-hand experience with being ghosted. She kept her Skype open for 5 HOURS one time waiting to talk to a boy who said he’d call but never did. DEVASTATING. So uhhh, ya. We definitely get it. Getting ghosted is never on the daily to-do list, and — like every victim of a supernatural occurrence such as this — we don’t know why it happened and can only guess as to why this person has left you on read.

Let’s theorize together, shall we?

Option 1: They Suck

If they’re anything like the boy who didn’t call back our writer, they probably suck (she’s CLEARLY not bitter about it since she keeps bringing it up). You seem like a really awesome person and your ghoster probably didn’t deserve to hang out with you anyway. We won’t ghost you. Promise!

Option 2: They Don’t Suck and Are Just Going Through Something

When people go through some tough shit, they can sometimes ghost a person because they just don’t have the emotional capacity to explore a relationship. They might not want to talk about their feelings or life with anyone, and the best way they can deal with the situation is by shutting down. Sometimes, people get too overwhelmed to communicate, and ignoring everyone and everything is just how they cope.

It can be really hard trying to balance a new person’s feelings AND an emotional crisis at the same time! It’s a lot to mentally and emotionally take on, so if this is the case, give them a little slack. They’re probably going through a lot.

Option 3: They’re a Player

‘Cause you know I love the players, and you love the game!

So, this clearly wasn’t forever and it went down in flames a bit, hey? Some people might just like the chase. They love the thrill of meeting someone new and the intense attraction that comes with it. But once that attraction dwindles a bit or they find someone new to fancy, they ghost the first person and focus their efforts on the new one.

Do they even care how getting ghosted feels?! It can really hurt when you feel like you’ve been used! It’s not an easy feeling to process, or even get over, so be gentle with yourself and allow yourself to feel the way you need to.

Option 4: Intimacy

Some people just can’t handle intimacy. Maybe they wanted a super casual thing but you might’ve wanted more? Getting to know someone on a deeper level can be some intense stuff, so they might not have been ready for that.

They also might not like when people get to know them in a romantic way, either. They might have gone through some stuff in the past that really hurt them and aren’t totally over that trauma. The only way they know to protect themselves is by keeping people at an arm’s length.

Option 5: They Don’t Want to Hurt Your Feelings

Sometimes ghosters don’t know how to easily let down a ghostee. The best way they know how to deal with it is just by not replying anymore.

It’s kind of the easy way out for them…but not you. You’re left with soooo many questions and zero closure about the situation. But sadly, they might just not know how to honestly and kindly communicate their feelings.

Option 6: They Don’t Want Anything Serious

Unfortunately, some people like to disappear if there is even a whiff of commitment in the air. “Making it official? No thanks!” Then they turn to dust and float away with the wind.

It can be frustrating because you didn’t even get the chance to communicate your thoughts and feelings about commitment to them. They might’ve just made an assumption and got scared.

We obviously can’t totally understand why someone might have ghosted you because we are just some words on the internet at the moment. But we hope that this allowed you to commiserate and maybe guess as to why someone might have ghosted you.

Like we said, you seem REALLY COOL! So, come back and talk to us again sometime. Neither of us will ghost the other. DEAL? Deal!

10 Ways to Process Climate Grief When It Shows Up

When you think of grief, what usually comes to mind? For us, it’s alllllll of the pain and the emotions that come with experiencing a huge loss. And for those who have had to face losing a loved one in the past, this may seem like a very familiar feeling. We’re glad you’re here. It’s important to recognize that we all handle grief differently and move through the process at our own pace. But it’s also important to note that we can grieve many different things…especially the things that have an impact on our lives. Like the environment, for instance! It’s called climate grief and yes, it’s becoming a real concern.

What Is Climate Grief?

We experience ecological grief when we take notice of, or fear, the negative effects on our planet due to climate change. This can include loss of species, ecosystems and the anticipation of natural disasters. If you’ve ever felt pain at the extinction of a rare animal or the clearcutting of trees in a historical park, then you’ve definitely experienced climate grief before!

It’s becoming more common as our society starts to take notice of the crisis we’re facing. More people are becoming conscious of their environmental impact and are making efforts to reduce their carbon footprint. But, with this awareness has come an overwhelming sense of eco-grief. And because it’s still very new to the conversation of mental health you might not know how to process it.

A report published by the American Psychological Association explains that “the ability to process information and make decisions without being disabled by extreme emotional responses is threatened by climate change.” Sooo yeah, the emotional trauma and distress so many of us are experiencing from the effects of climate change are very real and totally valid.

How To Deal With Climate Grief — Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

10 Ways to Process Climate Grief

Grieving a loss can be challenging, especially when it’s something as massive as the whole planet! You might feel like no one else understands your feelings, but we promise that you’re not alone. So many others have the same fears you do! They grieve when another landscape is lost, another species becomes extinct, or another natural disaster hits.

You might be wondering: How will I ever process climate grief, especially when it seems like there’s more to grieve everyday?! It’s hard, we know. But, here are some ways you can deal without it consuming your overall wellbeing:

1. Acknowledge Your Feelings

Obviously, nobody LIKES to feel emotional pain. If we could, we’d probably turn off all negative emotions like a switch so that all of the hurt can never affect us again! Buuut that’s not reality, unfortunately.

Take the time to let yourself feel the clusterfuck of emotions you’re going through right now. You might be feeling sad, angry, scared, hopeless, or all of the above! And that’s okay. Remind yourself that your feelings are valid. Repressing these emotions will only weigh you down! Instead, tell yourself: I feel ___ because ___ and that’s okay. I’m allowed to feel how I feel. It’s a simple act but validating your emotions is the first step to navigating them — trust us!

2. Look at What You CAN Change

Watching natural disasters or large spills on the news might make you feel discouraged. Maybe even like your efforts are meaningless? Sure, you’re a recycling advocate and you bike to work instead of drive. But what’s the point when apparently one hundred energy companies are actually responsible for 71% of all industrial emissions?! You’re only one person…how can you make a real difference to combat climate change?

First of all, don’t beat yourself up or believe your actions aren’t ever enough. They absolutely are! The choices you make every day add up, no matter how small they might seem. Take notice of all the good you already do and look at areas where you can improve. It will help you regain that sense of control you might be missing right now.

3. Then Accept What You CAN’T Change

In a perfect world, we’d be able to save every endangered animal and ecosystem. Unfortunately, for every win we find, there are still gonna be some losses. We just can’t do it all! Even though your efforts do make a big difference, there’s still a lot that is ultimately out of your hands. It’s a realization that may be hard to accept, we know. But accepting some environmental loss comes with accepting what you cannot change. It can weigh heavy on your shoulders, but remember — you are still doing your part. And the fact that you care so much is a really POWERFUL thing!

4. Know That You’re Not Alone

Does it sometimes feel like you’re the only one who cares this much about the loss of the environment? You’re not alone, we promise! There are millions of people out there who also are incredibly passionate about our planet, even if they’re not in your immediate circle. If you don’t have anyone in your personal life who you can relate to, it’s not a bad idea to reach out to some like-minded people who feel the same way you do. Which brings us to the next point:

5. Get Involved With Like-Minded People

Climate grief can be a really personal thing to navigate, but teaming up with like-minded people can do wonders for your grieving process! Try volunteering in your community. Join an environmental club, or start your own. Set up an online group to talk about your feelings and ideas about climate change. Making new friends and connections who share your values can help you process all of the shitty emotions you’re dealing with and help you feel a little more hopeful about the future.

6. Use Your Support System

Finding a support system to vent your feelings to is super important! We don’t want you to bottle everything up inside (unless it’s a reusable bottle! HA) to the point where you feel like you might combust. It’s not so great for your mental, or overall, wellbeing. So lean on those like-minded people and find a safe space to share your feelings. Being there for other people and having them be there for you in return is a 10/10 great way to cope with climate grief. We’re alllll in this together!

7. Enjoy Spending Time in Nature

The internet can be a great place for connection. But when you’re exposed to one climate disaster after the next, and the loss of beautiful species and landscapes, it can actually make you feel super disconnected. Is there any beauty left in this world?!

We promise there is. Instead of doomscrolling about the latest in climate news, try logging off and going out to explore! Go hiking or kayaking or cycling. Swim in a lake, lay on a beach, ski a mountain…whatever you want! No matter where you live or what your budget is, take some time to absorb and appreciate the nature that still surrounds you. So get outside, friend!

8. Channel Your Creativity

Channeling your grief into a creative outlet is a really healthy coping strategy. And the good news is — there are endless ways to get creative! If you’re a words person, try blogging, poetry or writing stories. Love art? Then try painting, sketching, or sculpting! If you’re into music, play an instrument, sing or write your own songs.

Use these creative activities to explore your eco-grief and, if you feel comfortable, share your work with others! It might inspire them and open up more conversations about the environment and the universal climate grief so many of us are going through. Plus, getting creative is just really fun! So there’s that.

9. Practice Self-Care

It’s more than okay to take time for yourself and practice some much needed self-care. It’s also okay to say no to things that don’t align with your environmental values, or set boundaries with people who aren’t understanding of your feelings.

Self-care can look like so many things! It’s not just going for walks, lighting candles or doing a face mask (but we 100% love those options too!). It’s also about looking after your mental and emotional wellbeing, whatever that looks like for you. Take breaks when you need to and show yourself some love! You deserve it.

10. Grief Therapy Is a Valid Option

Talking about grief in therapy isn’t reserved only for breakups or the loss of loved ones. Your climate grief is also important and deserves attention! Speaking to a therapist about your feelings of grief, trauma and anxiety over the loss of the environment can be really helpful. Your therapist will help you navigate your thoughts and feelings in a safe space where you can feel heard and understood. It also doesn’t hurt to ask for recommendations to find a therapist who specializes in grief, or even eco-grief specifically! If there’s no one in your area, see if there are online options available.

We hope these tips help you process your climate grief and make you feel less alone. And we just wanna add that we’re sooo proud of you for recognizing your feelings and looking for ways to cope with environmental grief! ‘Cause your feelings matter, always.

How to Start Talking About Climate Change

So you’ve been educating yourself on climate change and doing tons and tons of research on the best ways to help save our planet. Recycling, composting, thrifting and eliminating single use plastics from your life are just the tip of the iceberg! You now consider yourself to be an environmental activist who’s ready to do what it takes to make this world a better place — and you know that means that you want to start talking about climate change with others. You want to get the people in your life aware and onboard with this SUPER important cause. Buuut sometimes it’s easier said than done! How do you even go about sharing all of your climate change knowledge with your family and friends? What if they dismiss your ideas or don’t seem interested in what you have to say? How do you inspire them to make their own lifestyle changes without sounding, well…super aggressive and preachy?!

First of all, can we just say how ahh-mazing you are?! We think it’s so inspiring that you’re making a conscious effort to reduce your carbon footprint. Every small change makes a huge difference in the long run, so keep up the good work! We’re so proud of you! NOW…here are some tips to help you get your climate conversations going.

How to Open a Conversation About Climate Change

When you start talking about climate change with your loved ones it can feel really intimidating. While it’s something you need to get off your chest, the anxiety around how and when to start the conversation can be a lot. You don’t wanna seem too intense or turn them off from the subject forever. Or worse, potentially ruin any of your relationships because of a major disagreement.

But the good news is — most people tend to be more open to new ideas when it’s presented to them by someone they know. Sooo, you do have an advantage here! As long as you go about it the right way, you have a really good shot at opening their minds on this topic. We’ve got some tips for you and we’re hoping they’ll make the initiation of this tough conversation way easier (and more likely to be successful):

1. Set the Tone

Whenever you approach a touchy subject, the last thing you wanna do is come across super aggressive and mean. It’s awesome that you’re so invested in saving the planet! While your dedication and commitment can shine through, make sure the overall tone of the conversation is neutral and free of judgment. We’re looking for healthy communication here. Bring up the conversation in an open-minded way: Hey, I’ve been learning a lot about the environment and would love to try talking about climate change with you — if you’re up for it! This approach highlights that you want to share your interest without being a preachy know-it-all.

2. Hear Them Out

During this conversation, try to listen and understand their point of view. Chances are, they probably have their own preconceived notions about the topic of climate change that are different from yours. Keep in mind that while you’ve been researching and developing a better understanding of climate change, they might not be as informed yet. That’s why you’re bringing it up in the first place, right? To drop some truth bombs! But ask about how they came to their conclusions so they feel heard: What makes you feel that way about it? I want to understand where you’re coming from.

3. Acknowledge Their Feelings

Topics like climate change can be kinda polarizing. Your friends and family might have opinions that differ from yours, but that’s okay! The point here isn’t to have them completely agree with all of your ideas. Maybe you’ve adopted a vegan lifestyle because you have researched the impact of the meat industry on climate change. But that type of change isn’t realistic or sustainable for everyone! They might think that you will judge them or expect them to do too much in order to be a good climate activist. Instead, acknowledge their feelings about it: I can understand why you’re hesitant to talk about this, but I’m not here to judge you! Your feelings are valid.

4. Ask Questions

To make the conversation less one-sided or lecture-like, ask questions about their views and what they think. Don’t assume you know the reasons behind their opinions on the subject. If you really want a healthy conversation on the topic, show interest in understanding their perspective and how they’ve come to their conclusions about climate change. Making sure they feel involved in the conversation shows you respect their opinions, even if you’re not entirely on the same page: What are your thoughts on climate change and activism? What can we do about climate change? Why do you think that?

5. Share Your Side

This topic clearly means a lot to you, which is why you’ve decided to bring it up with the people in your life. Hey, that’s great! Your family and friends love you, so they’re gonna be more receptive to your ideas than you might think. Explain to them why talking about climate change, and climate activism, is so important to you. Maybe you’re super outdoorsy and love spending time in nature, and the thought of our planet suffering is making you suffer. Or your house is covered in plants because anything green (even a tiny forest) makes you so damn happy. Or maybe your compassion for animals knows no bounds and you want to advocate for their rights. It could be that you’ve just always had an interest in the environment but the effects of climate change have pushed you more into the activism space. So share your thoughts and feelings about it! It will show them how much this subject means to you and how important it is to hear you out.

6. Know How to Present the Facts

When you’re talking about climate change with people who aren’t so passionate about it, you might hear a lot of questions like this: Why do you care so much? Isn’t it kinda too late to do anything about it now? How do you know that what you’re doing will help anyway?

Sharing your thoughts on climate change also means bringing the knowledge to back up your claims. Have those facts lined up to make your point! And in the same breath, don’t forget not to overwhelm everyone with too many statistics. Harsh truth but we tend to tune out people who just blab a ton of facts. Try this instead: That’s a common misconception but I’ve actually found that to be untrue when I was researching ___. I can share the article with you if you want? It was a great read!

7. Challenge Their Ideas

It’s safe to say that many of us don’t like confrontation. It’s uncomfortable. But, when approached right, a conversation doesn’t have to become an argument. And conversations work both ways! You’ve gotta be open to being challenged as well. So, let them share their thoughts without interruption. We know it can be hard! What if they are SO in left-field?! Your time to talk will come. Once you’ve heard them out, try to reposition their points.

8. Make It Personal for Them

People have an easier time discussing new ideas when they can relate. So make things personal (in a good way!). Ask how they think climate change will affect the future of their families, their livelihood, and their life overall. If they love to travel, climate change will affect the places they’re able to visit in the future. Outdoor hobbies like fishing, camping, hiking and skiing can also be impacted by climate change. Explain how we really have no life without this planet, which is why it’s so important for us all to work together! When you reframe the topic as something more personal, they’re wayyy more likely to take interest.

9. Encourage Action

Okay, so they’ve heard you out and they wanna start doing their part to act on climate change. But…they aren’t sure where to start. Maybe they’re worried it’ll be too difficult or unattainable for them, or that any effort they make won’t matter in the long run. Remind them that every small change counts, even everyday switches like taking the bus instead of driving or swapping out plastic grocery bags with reusable ones. Invite them to some of your environmental volunteer commitments! Make sure they know they’re not alone in this so that the transition is 1000x easier.

10. Be Open to Future Conversations

If talking about climate change doesn’t go great the first time, don’t sweat it! It takes practice, but you’ll get the hang of it. And if it went pretty well, that’s sooo amazing! Either way, make it clear that you’re open to more conversations about climate change in the future and that you’re available for any questions they might have. Now that you’ve planted the idea in their minds, give it some time to grow! They might just need to process what you’ve shared before they decide to get more involved.

No matter what, it’s so incredible that you’ve decided to start talking about climate change. This is a subject that affects us all (and affects our mental health!). So props to you for wanting to get the people in your life involved in climate activism, even if it’s baby steps. You’re changing the world as we know it!

How to Care for Your Mental Health With Nutrition

Nutrition and mental health have been connected for yearssss and yearssss. You’ve probably seen article after article about eating right, what vitamins and supplements you should take, and what foods contain what benefits. These articles are usually published in the magazines that sit in a bin in the bathroom of your mom’s house. But are these bathroom-bin magazines right!? Actually, some of them are.

Proper nutrition is super important when it comes to brain health. And what’s brain health connected to? MENTAL HEALTH! Look at you go, you got the first question right!

How Mental Health Is Connected to Nutrition

Time for a metaphor that you’ve definitely heard before! (omg that rhymed)

Imagine that your body is a car. A car can’t run without fuel, right? And a car can’t run with the wrong kind of fuel, right? The fuel we put into our bodies impacts how it functions – that includes the brain. We need the right kind of fuel in our bodies because our brain is always working and it needs to be supported.

One of the biggest ways that food influences mental health is when it comes to eating disorders. A person’s relationship with food becomes damaged, and their mental and physical health suffers because of it. Depression and anxiety are also impacted by a person’s relationship with food. The food you eat might not be the direct cause of your mental health struggles, but it can definitely influence an already existing issue.

When we’re in the midst of a battle with our brain, we’re more likely to choose foods that don’t really nourish our body. And when we don’t eat or don’t eat the right kind of foods, we end up feeling worse physically. Here are some not-so-great things that happen when we’re not eating right:

– Fatigue

– Skipping meals makes us stressed and hangry

– Blood sugar and energy level drop and impact moods

– Sluggishness

– Brain fog

– Feeling moody/anxious/irritable

– Feeling cold

– Lack of energy

If that’s not a long enough list to help you realize that your belly needs some good shit to send to your brain, we might need to make a longer list!

What Food Is Good for Your Brain

So, we’ve told you that you need to eat well. You’re probably thinking “Cool, but how do I do that?” Obviously, you know all about the food pyramid and what it means to have a balanced diet, but we’re going to talk about something else – food for thought! Get it? Because food impacts your mind! These vitamins and elements found in food are some of the things that impact our mental wellness and brain health:

– Vitamin D: Activates enzymes that produce neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine. Norepinephrine impacts your sleep cycle and influences focus, and memory. Dopamine influences things like pleasure, desire, mood, and motivation.

– Antioxidants: Prevents oxidative stress and memory loss.

– Omega 3: There has been some evidence suggesting that Omega 3’s can have an anti-inflammatory effect on the brain which can improve brain function and health, and reduce memory loss!

– Fibre: Promotes good bacteria in your gut and can potentially help reduce anxiety.

– Carbs: Important to help keep your blood sugar levels elevated. Low blood sugar impacts your mood, attention, focus, and can make you feel sluggish.

– Vitamin B: Has been seen to help with depression and anxiety! There are a number of B vitamins that have different benefits. Vitamin B5 supports adrenal gland function (helping reduce anxiety), and Vitamin B9 and vitamin B12 can help balance out depressive moods.

All of these can be found in nutritious food options. That doesn’t mean you can’t keep eating chips and hummus (lol we basically live on that), but just make sure that you throw in some apples and spinach in your diet every now and again to help your brain out.

How to Incorporate Good Food Into Your Diet

When we’re having a hard time mentally, we don’t always eat the healthiest things, and that’s ok (see above admission about chips and hummus)! What you’re experiencing is hard on both your body and mind. Making a meal isn’t always possible, so you go for the easiest things to eat (again, chips and hummus).

You are absolutely allowed to eat however you want and need to. What’s important is that you have food in your body. But there are easy-to-make, healthy options that you can have on hand, and smoothies are a perfect way to get some important shit in your belly!

Our favourite option? Smoothies from Evive Nutrition! We love them because you can make these smoothies without a blender! You pop out the little triangles, put them in a glass, then shake it up! It’s an easy and healthy way to incorporate fruits and veggies into your diet when your body needs a boost.

They also have some really simple and easy lunch options that you can make too! Macaroni and cheese? Yep! Tom Thai? You betcha! The best part about their meals and smoothies is that they’re packed full of organic produce and essential nutrients. Plus, they’re all plant-based, so your lactose-intolerant tummy will thank you!

We’ve partnered up with Evive and got you a super awesome code, divethru10, that will take $10 off your first order! (USA & Canada only)

Do your best to include healthy foods that will get you the nutrients you need to support your sweet little brain. Just know that there is no rush or expectation for you to change however you’re nourishing your body right now. You do what you gotta do, baby!

*This article is sponsored by Evive Nutrition Inc.