It can’t just be me, right? We all feel it — the stress of daily life; our jobs (and job losses); bad news in the form of politics, a changing climate, illness, and war; and the almighty algorithm that keeps us scrolling… and scrolling… and scrolling. These can take a serious toll on our mental health.
According to the CDC’s National Health Statistics, one in five American adults experience symptoms of depression or anxiety. The people are not well — and for good reason. The world is a chaotic place, and that chaos often invades our minds, too. But for those of us lucky enough to live and work in Oakland, Lake Merritt offers a way to counter the chaos in our heads.
In some healthcare circles, doctors are embracing a practice called “social prescribing.” It’s a clinical-sounding term for something surprisingly simple: engaging in activities across one or more of five areas shown to support mental and physical health: movement, nature, art, service, and belonging. And here’s the secret: when life starts to feel like it’s spiraling, you don’t have to wait for a doctor’s orders. You can prescribe these things to yourself.
You see where I’m going with this, right? Volunteering with LMI checks every one of those boxes!
When I’m stretching, with my net extended to reach that one piece of floating plastic, I’m using muscles I don’t normally engage while sitting at my computer. Movement? Check.
I hear the music of birds splashing and tittering. I feel a breeze rustle the leaves. I soak in that bright East Bay sunshine. (Karl the Fog could never.) Nature? Check.
Sometimes I pause my trash-grabbing because the goslings are just too cute. I snap a picture for Instagram. Later, I’ll reflect on the moment — maybe I’ll even write it down (like I’m doing now). Art? Check.
A couple of kids approach and ask what I’m doing. Then they ask about the pelicans. They’re surprised to learn there are fish in the lake! An older couple stops to say thanks. I share a laugh with a friendly dog and their person. By noon, the lake looks better than I found it. Service? Belonging? Check and check.
There’s no controlling the world’s chaos; that’s just life, and sometimes life is heavy. But we don’t have to settle for merely coping. We deserve to thrive! So check in with yourself: what do you need today? Can you give yourself a dose of movement, nature, creativity, or community? Can you spare a moment for a small act of service?
You just might surprise yourself into having a better day.
Read more about the science behind social prescribing at www.socialprescribing.co/better-health.
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