WorkLife Dec 2021 by WorkLife

DECEMBER 2021

Thinking Outside the Box

Creativity Fostering Transformation

Protect Yourself

Psychopaths lurking about the workplace

How to Stop Being Fake

And start living your authentic self

Get Back to Normal

How to return to work after COVID

Laughter is Still the Best Medicine

Bring humor to work without getting fired

the freedom

TO EXPRESS

Why having a voice is key to your wellbeing

from

Time to Find Your Voice and Live Your Authentic Self The year 2021 is nearing its end, and many, myself included, will be glad to see it go. This year has brought even more COVID, and we don’t know what 2022 will bring. There are winds of disunity blowing in the world, and we have seen people turn against each other. We've also seen the rise of extreme censorship, trolls and gaslighting all through the media and social media platforms. It's natural in these circumstances for our emotions to boil up and eventually spill over. We are indeed seeing anger, frustration, sadness, grief, despair, burnout, and other signs of trauma among a vast proportion of our communities. How will we cope with this ongoing physical and psychological state of affairs? We are all individuals, and we each need different things, but one thing we all need is the space to express, speak up, have a voice, be listened to, and be heard. This edition of Worklife focuses on helping you find your voice and use it. Psychologically, we've known for decades that a road to healing is the ability to speak up and be counted, but how do we do that? At work and home? Especially in a landscape where people are already on edge, what you have to say is likely to upset or offend someone somewhere. Too often, our fear gets in the way of self-expression, yet that is vital for wellbeing. This issue of our eMag is full of valuable tips and ideas. Which will be the one that does it for you? I'm curious. I hope you find Worklife refreshing and helps you navigate the rest of 2021 and the entry to 2022. May you enjoy the holidays safely and surrounded by love. We also wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for those of you who celebrate it. See you all soon in 2022.

Peter Diaz

Find & Unleash Your Voice:

The Never-Ending Search for Health and Agency at Work

4 | DECEMBER 2021

WORKLIFE

hen it comes to health in the workplace, most people immediately think of physical health, including preventing accidents, slips, falls, etc. However, research shows that worker´s mental health is just as important, if not more so, than their physical health. For example, take an office worker who is supremely unhappy with their job. They’re so sad, in fact, that they become clinically depressed and have severe bouts of anxiety. They start showing up late, are disengaged on the job, and call in sick frequently. Some may even consider self-harm or harming their co-workers. Most would agree this is an unhealthy situation. While physical health may be more readily observed, the fact is that employee´s mental health is just as vital to an organization as their physical health. The question then becomes; what can be done to improve the overall mental health of all employees? There are of course, a number of different avenues to improving mental health, resilience and wellbeing. But one that is so often overlooked, but which is becoming ever so critical in the modern workplace, is the importance of Freedom of Expression.

Freedom of Expression and the Mental Health Connection

In The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 10 declares that the right to freedom of opinion and expression is one of the fundamental human rights. Indeed, it may be the most essential human right, as freedom of expression ties deeply into the human psyche. But what, exactly, is freedom of expression, and why is it so crucial to a person’s mental health? The answer lies in the fact that, while an employee is under the organization’s auspices for whom they work, they are expected to do their work and be productive. However, they are still an autonomous individual with their own opinions, beliefs, and values.

Freedom of expression is the right to express those opinions, beliefs, and values without fear of reprisal, oppression, and censorship. However, the challenge for an employer is to balance an employee’s individual right to expression with the organization’s values, rules, and expectations.

Employees Do Not Have a Constitutional Right to Free Speech One of the most surprising facts for many people is that, while on the job, freedom of speech laws of the outside world don’t always apply. Even though some may disagree, as an employee, the right to freedom of speech is relatively limited. For example, an employee who publicly says or writes something inflammatory about the company can face legal charges. Of course, the average employee is never going to do anything of the sort. Many enjoy their job, but, without the freedom to express themselves, languish at their jobs while anxiety and depression take their toll. That’s a problem that has nothing to do with free speech but rather an employee feeling that their voice, opinions, and ideas have no value.

Methods to Empower Freedom of Expression Giving employees the ability to fully express their ideas and opinions on the job isn’t something that happens naturally for most organizations. Frankly, it’s ingrained into most workers that “rocking the boat” isn’t a good plan (especially if they want to remain employed). In the industrial age, we had a very different approach to work. People who got hired to work on a factory line, exchanged their time and physical labour for money. There was no need nor expectation that they would have an input into the systems or procedures. But now, we are no longer in the industrial age. Times are very different. In the current pandemic/post pandemic workplace, more and more employees are re-evaluating their work and lives, with many opting out of the workforce entirely (heard of the Great resignation?). Those who remain are demanding greater flexibility, greater collaboration, and greater opportunity to contribute their perspectives and ideas in the workplace. At the very least, to be our selves at work. Many workplaces too, are providing support for the ´whole person´, recognizing that as human beings, the personal does impact the professional and vice versa. For that reason, an organization must make a point of allowing their employees to express their ideas, needs, wants, and any problems they’re having on the job. This is a key element of a psychologically safe workplace. More importantly, action has to be taken that proves their opinions and ideas are being taken seriously. Below are a few excellent methods to do that, including: WWW.THEWMHI.COM | 5

Show That Speaking Up is a Positive, Not a Negative

Allowing employees the regular opportunity to give feedback without fear of reprisal is one of the best methods of allowing them to express themselves. The truth is, speaking up takes courage. Getting valuable feedback when that happens can be an incredible ego booster that keeps an employee engaged, happy and productive.

Create a Culture of Feedback in the Workplace

A quick online search for the term “feedback” will reveal millions and millions of results. Why? Because humans love giving their feedback about anything and everything, especially when they feel that they have something to add to the conversation. This holds true in the workplace as well, where it’s guaranteed that many employees would love to give their feedback about a wide variety of work-related topics. The key as an employer is to provide them with an open forum to do just that. This requires much more than a simple “Suggestion Box” on the wall, it is about communicating that the feedback is heard, genuinely considered, and acted upon in one form or another. When your organization has a culture of seeking feedback and taking action on it, the response from employees is highly positive. One reason may be that, by allowing unfettered feedback, an employer (or manager) showcases their humility. This, in turn, elevates the status of the team member who was seeking feedback. The result is a standard of psychological safety that doesn’t just allow for freedom of expression; it actively encourages that expression on behalf of all employees.

Indeed, many a positive change has come from an employee expressing themself about a negative situation. Without freedom of expression in the workplace, these positive (and frequently profitable) changes would never occur.

Employee Agency and Mental Health Are Closely Tied Together

By ´agency´ we mean personal agency – the sense of confidence that staff member has that they can influence, and make an impact on their world – in this case, the workplace.

At the end of the day, an employee’s agency and mental health while on the job are closely related. One compliments the other, with more fulfilled, engaged, and productive employees as a result. For these reasons, giving all employees a voice is vitally important to an organization’s success. Yes, limits and structure need to be put in place, but the resulting changes will contribute to a workplace where mental health issues are low, and satisfaction levels are high. That’s a win-win situation for all involved. In short, when an organization allows its employees to unleash their voice, the entire organization benefits. In the never-ending search for health and agency, freedom of expression in the workplace is a proven, profitable solution. 

Look at Complaints and Grievances as Important Data

It’s easy to see complaints and grievances as nuisances, especially if they aren’t particularly true or correct. On the other hand, if you look at the information provided as data, you can often learn valuable information that, in the end, helps the organization.

6 | DECEMBER 2021

WORKLIFE

In a mental health emergency, would your people know what to do? Mental Health Essentials takes the guesswork out of responding to mental health in the workplace.

Mental Health Essentials is a 1 day course, delivered on site at your workplace, to give your employees the tools to: •

•

Understand and empathise with someone who might be experiencing mental ill health Recognise the triggers and signs of the most common types off mental illness including depression, anxiety, and substance mis use. Know what to say and do, to communicate effectively with someone in distress Confidently handle a conversation with a colleague or customer who is having a panic attack, a psychotic episode, or thinking of suicide

To run this course in your workplace, email admin@thewmhi.com

thewmhi.com

•

Know where, when and how to refer someone to further help

•

Understand how drugs, alcohol and medication affect mental health

•

Learn why its important to nip mental health problems in the bud, as they crop up

•

Act quickly and with confidence when trauma hits your workplace

•

Safeguard their own mental wellbeing in difficult situations

•

Know how to look after themselves when assisting someone else with a mental health problem

Creativity Fostering Transformation

That erroneous quote, “Houston, we have a problem,” sums up 2021. Between a rampant global virus, climate change, economic distress, racial inequity, and social isolation, we have pressing problems to solve. Given this, we would do well to turn to our innate super power— creativity, as a mean for addressing our most salient concerns of the day. Creativity can be defined as the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, and relationships. It entails the emergence of meaningful new methods and interpretations and uses imagination and originality as tools for transformation. By tapping into these to forge new paths, we improve mental health and the well-being of our society. As Einstein said, “Logic will take you from A to B, imagination will take you anywhere.” Creativity is not the Frosting; it’s the Cake Creativity is often viewed as the icing on the cake— meaning creativity isn’t essential or the highest priority in our personal or work lives. In fact, some people view it as a luxury or leisure activity reserved for the elite. Yet creativity isn’t something doled out to the chosen few. It’s a trait we all have and is a primary agent of growth and change. It allows us to: • Renew ourselves • Recharge our minds • Reclaim hope • Restore connections • Resolve problems 8 | DECEMBER 2021

Given this, it’s unfortunate that creativity isn’t always valued as a high priority. In fact, most of us are familiar with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. It’s a theory in psychology that states humans have basic needs that are ranked in order of importance and priority. Our need for food, clothing, shelter, and safety is paramount, followed by the need for love and belonging. Creativity is ranked last. Obviously, if we’re starving and don’t have shelter, we might not be thinking about painting the Sistine Chapel or self-actualization. However, what if creativity, which is at the top of Maslow’s pyramid was viewed as the primary vehicle for meeting all of our needs? If this was the case and we tapped into this approach, we might:

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• Prioritize creativity within schools and organizations • Address economic problems and inequity to create a more just world • Foster empathy through arts programs in communities and businesses • Think outside the box and envision change and possibilities With creativity, we see possibilities even when our current reality indicates otherwise. We need this vision or we will remain stuck in our circumstances. And while it can be hard to dream, if life hasn’t given us much reason to, creativity helps build the imagination muscle. It revises our viewpoints allowing us to “see again”. When this occurs, we have increased personal agency and these areas of our lives become enhanced: our vision and goals, systems, jobs, relationships, stories, issues and problems. Misconceptions about Creativity It’s interesting how we categorize creativity and tend to think only certain people or industries are creative. “I’m not creative,” someone might say,” or “I’m not an artist.” In fact, we often deify people in the entertainment industry for their talents yet neglect to recognize creativity in the people around us. Here are just some groups that also tend to be highly creative: Children Artists (painters, writers, dancers, actors & musicians) Scientists Leaders Entrepreneurs Parents Teachers Builders Cooks Gardeners Another misconception is that there is a causal link between creativity and mental illness. While many individuals living with mental illness might be highly creative, there are equally as many who would not be described that way at all – by themselves or others. Instead, I would argue that creativity is healing and restorative whether we have a diagnosis or not. Creativity helps us transform our challenges into works of beauty and endows life with purpose. Not to mention the enormous contribution it makes to society and humanity.

Creativity in the Workplace and Education Without a doubt, work and school environments have changed radically in the last year. We’ve all had to “pivot” and adapt to a new normal. Creativity increases flexibility and spontaneity as we learn new ways of doing things. In the work place it can help us navigate interpersonal conflict, balance budgets, innovate, market, produce, and make a profit. That said, work and school environments often operate counter-intuitively. Instead of embracing approaches that enhance learning and productivity, sometimes these methods are stifled. We look to companies like Apple or Tesla and praise them for their innovation, yet creative strategies are often not supported in the work environment. And students at school who color outside the lines are sometimes frowned upon. Instead of being viewed as mavericks who can reach new heights, companies and schools often prefer folks keep to the status quo. If creativity is to flourish in our communities, work and school environments must allow a degree of play, risk, connection, exploration, trial and error, and rest and reflection. These are the ingredients that foster new configurations and possibilities. Jumping into the Void Creating takes courage. It’s often a leap of faith and into the unknown. It can make us feel vulnerable as we wonder if we will succeed or fail. Do we dare dream? And can we step into something new and unfamiliar? To begin revitalizing your creativity, why not take an on-line class, work with a mentor, or sit down with few distractions and focus on a task you’d like to work on. Feel free to take a little time out to explore and play. You will most likely begin to feel renewed. Not only that, when we look at our lives from a creative vantage point, we start to see ourselves as characters within our own narrative. We can shape the story, honoring core scenes and events that have occurred while creating new ones too. This is really key because during the pandemic, most of us have been stuck in an unhappy narrative and we might feel a little short changed on hope. Yet creativity allows us to foster optimism and to rebuild. We can turn to the poetry of Emily Dickinson who wrote, “I dwell in possibility, a fairer house than prose…” And from this sense of possibility, we can soar to new heights and see things from a radically different view. 

Lise Porter Lise Porter is a licensed marriage and family therapist, consultant, and trainer for the Workplace Mental Health Institute. She is based in Los Angeles and is also a working actor. Her book, Own Your Life: How Our Wounds Become Our Gifts is available on Amazon or through her website, liseporter.com.

WWW.THEWMHI.COM | 9

Time to Stop

Your Social Media Addiction from Killing Your Career & Relationships

ocial networking sites have become the cornerstone of communicating in our modern era and an important way of connecting with other people. Platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok allow users to create a sense of belonging and redefine their way of being in the world. A report published at the end of 2020, by We Are social Inc. indicates that over 3.7 billion people are 10 | DECEMBER 2021

actively using different types of social media platforms worldwide, with most of these platforms providing people with information, career opportunities, and interactive forms through virtual communities. Despite the positive opportunities these platforms can provide, it has also become clear that there can be definite adverse effects on users, in the form of what is being called ´social media addiction´.

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It is normal for people to talk about themselves around 32 to 45% of the time in social situations. In contrast, people tend to talk about themselves or show off their life’s accomplishments almost 82% of the time when using social media platforms.

What is Social Media Addiction? While "social media addiction¨ is not (yet) recognized as an official Mental Disorder, most experts agree that the features of social media itself, and the negative impacts being observed amongst people who struggle with social media, are well aligned with the criteria for other types of addictions. This includes things like: 1. Failing to meet responsibilities due to the activity (e.g., distracted at work, or home) 2. Social or interpersonal problems as a result of the activity 3. Giving up other previously enjoyed activities to engage in the activity 4. Hazardous, reckless or risky use (e.g., use while driving) 5. Experience of withdrawal when you stop the activity (e.g., moodiness) 6. Large amounts of time spent engaging in the activity 7. Cravings to engage in the activity 8. Increasing amount of time spent, doing more than intended 9. Repeated unsuccessful attempts to cut back or quit 10. Physical or psychological negative impact (e.g., anxiety, depression, sleep problems) 11. Tolerance – needing more to get the same effect. 12. Continuing to engage in the activity despite its negative impacts Therefore, for our purposes, we define social media addiction as the relentless urge to use social media despite the cost to real-life relationships and activities.

What are the Stats? A 2017 Report indicates that around 210 million people worldwide experience internet and social media addiction, and estimates for 2021 put that figure at

around 333 million, not accounting for the impacts of the global pandemic. Some experts have estimated that up to 10% of Americans could meet the criteria for being at risk of social media addiction. And here are some other interesting stats: • The average person spends 2 hours and 22 minutes on social media each day. That´s 16 and a half hours a week! Two full work days! • In 2020, kids spent 76% longer on social media apps than they did in 2019, with the peak in May 2020, when lockdowns were most widespread. • 40% of young adults and 21% of adults use social media even while in the bathroom.

How Does Social Media Impact the Brain? According to Harvard University’s recent study, social networking sites affect the same part of the brain that gets ignited by addictive substances. The reward section of our brain has lots of messenger pathways affected by the many decisions we make and the sensations we experience. Whenever you experience something rewarding, the neurons located in the primary dopamine-producing areas are activated. They cause dopamine levels to rise, causing us to experience pleasure. So upon receiving a notification, a “mention” or a “like” online, the brain releases dopamine, and since we humans like pleasure, that dopamine rush becomes addictive. Social media platforms fuel that addiction by providing an endless and highly targeted supply of instant rewards, in the form of new information and attention from other platform users. Interestingly, the effect is doubles when individuals speak about themselves. It is normal for people to talk about themselves around 32 to 45% of the time in social situations. In contrast, people tend to talk about themselves or show off their life’s accomplishments almost 82% of the time when using social media platforms. Whenever a user posts a picture and receives positive social feedback, the brain releases dopamine which rewards the behavior and anchors in the social media habit. WWW.THEWMHI.COM | 11

Public networking sites can become a problem when users view these sites as a vital coping technique that relieves loneliness, depression, and stress. Especially if users perceive social media as being more rewarding than real-life experiences. Eventually, like any other addiction, the person can get caught up in a spiral of denial leading to interpersonal problems like neglecting work or school responsibilities, real-life relationships, and even physical and mental health needs. There’s no doubt that the prolonged and continued use of social media platforms encourages dependency and addiction.

What´s the Impact of Social Media Addiction? Social Media Addiction, like any addiction can have far reaching consequences for your quality of life in general. Here are some of the impacts: • Poorer Performance in Real World Activities: our brain can be deprived of the focus and concentration needed to perform optimally by the constant interruption of social media. This then impacts on your ability to perform at work, creates conflict in relationships, or can prevent you from building meaningful relationships in the first place. • Poor Mental Health: 27% of children who spend 3 or more hours a day on social media exhibit poor mental health. It is estimated to be worst for children and young people as their brains and social skills are still developing. A Nobel-winning prize study conducted in 2014 showed that teenagers’ excessive use of technology caused massive disruptions to their mental and physical health, weight, sleep patterns, exercise levels, and their schoolwork. Young girls seem to be at a higher risk. • Anxiety: Research shows adolescents who use social media from a young age have worsened social anxiety in groups. This includes things like FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) which is a powerful driver of addiction for many, as well as increases in paranoia, negative body image, and perfectionism. • Depression: People with social media addiction have higher rates of depression. Prolonged lack of focus and distraction often results in a lack of clarity and purpose that thrusts people into an existential crisis. Depression can also arise as a result of low productivity at work, poor school performance and damaged relationships • Low Self-Esteem and Loneliness: the more we pretend to be someone else, the more fake we will feel, which contributes to a diluted and twisted self-image and an inability to connect authentically with others. Studies show that 2 12 | DECEMBER 2021

hours of social media a day leads to twice as much feeling of social isolation compared to 30 mins of social media. Heavy social media users (8x a day) are 3 times more likely to feel socially isolated and depressed than those who use it only once a day. • Guilt: people experiencing addiction feel guilty about the time and cost of their addiction. While social media is usually free in terms of money, it is not free in terms of time wasted, lost opportunities and broken relationships. • Antisocial Behaviors: In recent years, heavy dependence on social media has led to increased rates of narcissism, and antisocial tendencies like inability to show compassion, empathy or remorse, and bullying, violence, and abuse. Some people revel in the shock factor, and the more reaction they get from people, the more satisfaction they get, regardless of the truth or the impact of the posts.

7 Signs of Social Media Addiction If you see any of the following signs of social media addiction in you, act fast! The sooner you act to stop social media addiction on its tracks, the easier it will be for you to either avoid it altogether or minimize its impact and harm. It’ll also make it easier to stop in the future. 1. The Impulse to Share Everything You Do Alex, a renowned author of the book “The Distraction Addiction,” wrote that often people are more interested in what is happening online than in the natural/physical world. And we get it, human beings are social animals, and it’s normal to want to share the fun we had on our overseas trip or in that last party we attended. However, distractions caused by our smartphones often make us miss out more than what we gain. 2. Knowing more Social Media Information than Real World Information about People Pang, an SMU Professor, reported that a vital indicator of social media addiction is having a vast knowledge of people’s social lives compared to real life. If you are a social media user, you’re likely to know a social media’ friend’ that you follow online and that you know all their moves because they share everything online. Even their breakfast. Such information usually open doors to a (false) feeling of long-term intimacy, often not achievable with real-life friends. 3. Feeling Uncomfortable When you Can’t Access your Phone Have you experienced dissatisfaction when you fail to control Instagram when asked to stop at the traffic lights? Or are you unable to scroll through Facebook before you go to bed? Research has shown that an average person tends to check their phone every 12 minutes, while one in every ten people check their phones every 4 minutes. If not being able to access your phone leads to anxiety, that shows how dependent you’ve become on social media platforms.

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4. Envy Envy is another sign that shows the dangerous dimensions that social media dependence may have over your life. It’s easy to forget that what you see on social media is not real, or at least not the full picture.

Having the freedom to select what we desire to share online has opened the floodgates to the creation of online personas. Even though that seemingly glamourous lifestyle of often just smoke and mirrors, we often choose to throw that fact under the bus and continue stalking them. If you notice yourself starting to feel jealous over your friends’ celebrations, homes, cars, and body measurements, and you can’t stop your feelings, it may be time to get help with your social media addiction. 5. Dishonesty In an effort to ‘keep up’ with other social media users, it’s easy to fall into the temptation of embellishing our lives and not tell the truth of what we do and who we are.

The unrealistic expectations many social media users place on themselves can lead them to perfectionism and then dishonesty in an effort to appear ´perfect´. So keep an eye out for dishonesty on social media – it can be a sign of social media addiction. 6. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome This is a physical condition that causes numbness, weakness or tingling on your hand. This condition may be caused by spending too much time on your phone. Similarly, neck pain and RSI in fingers or your thumbs could indicate too much time on social media. 7. Problems with Sleep and Energy Screen time often eats into sleep time. It’s normal for social media addicts to sleep less than before their addiction. Feeling sluggish and exhausted then follows, as using social media slows us down physically and robs our body of the regular movement it needs to feel healthy and full of energy.

There’s no doubt that the prolonged and continued use of social media platforms encourages dependency and addiction. WWW.THEWMHI.COM | 13

How to Break Social Media Addiction The first step to rid yourself of social media addiction is accepting you have a problem. How do you know if you have one? Well, we’ve already discussed the signs and symptoms but we could add a few more pointers here. For example, does your significant other think you are spending too much time on the phone? Are significant people in your life saying you don’t give them enough attention? Do you find yourself missing or arriving late for scheduled activities because you were checking Facebook, Twitter and the like? If we were to ask you to choose between closing your social media accounts or breaking up with your friend or husband, would that be something you’d have to think about? But, how do we stop something as strong as social media addiction? Breaking the addiction chain doesn’t usually happen by abrupt abstinence from online activities. You might need to start setting some achievable limits, though. You can start to take control of your life and your internet use by following these steps. • Delete unnecessary applications • Get busy, dedicate time to real life social activities or find a hobby and pursue it. • Seek out to spend time and connect with real people. Your significant other, your family, friends will love you for it. • Network – connect with like-minded business people in real life • Deactivate notifications on your phone. This reduces the urges to check your feeds frequently. • Allocate limited time for online activities. Set an alarm so you know when it´s time to stop. • Reconnect with traditional activities such as reading a book, workouts or taking walks • Allocate phone free times such as during meals, when taking a walk, or even technology free days.

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• Get professional help. Stopping an addiction can be hard and a professional can help you get some clarity on what is more important to you than social media

How to Use Social Media Safely Learn to live in the Moment Make sure you are not so caught up in posting, or reading posts, that you miss out in living. Nothing can compare to the feeling of being present in the moment as it is happening. Follow Feeds that Make You Feel Good Notice if there are profiles, or topics which leave you feeling bad, and limit your exposure to these. Instead, consciously follow positive people and information while you are online. This will limit negative residue, and you’ll also get the chance to learn useful things that can help you in life and work. Stop Comparing Yourself with Online Personas When scrolling through people’s content, always keep in mind that what they share is only a tiny portion of their lives. We don’t know what happens after the camera is off. They have lives and problems just like you do. Comparing yourself to their online lives will only help create a feeling of inadequacy, potentially leading to unhealthy obsessions. Always Filter your Content Before Posting Learn to post content that is respectful, helpful, and kind. Don’t show off and watch out for your ego. Online public networking sites are now part of our everyday life. It’s hard to avoid them but it can be done. Be wise. Ensure you set clear boundaries for yourself and prioritize your time efficiently to prevent social media from becoming your master. 

WORKLIFE

Master the signs and symptoms of anxiety like a pro!

ANXIETY OBLITERATOR ONLINE COURSE

LEARNING OUTCOMES Learn techniques for managing workplace anxiety. Discover the different types of anxiety and how each impacts your mental health. Fill your toolbox full of tools to help with managing stress and anxiety.

SYNOPSIS

BENEFITS Offers techniques that you can use to help yourself rather than rely on others. Leverages the most impactful approaches from a wide range of therapeutic modalities. Teaches you how to handle a mental health issue that often leads to other serious issues, such as depression and schizophrenia.

DESCRIPTION

The Managing Anxiety course is a program filled with proven techniques to help you minimize the impact anxiety has on you. Drawing from a range of therapeutic modalities, the course helps you to understand the various types of anxiety, the causes that lie behind them, and the key principles and strategies you can use to mitigate anxiety.

WHO IS THIS FOR? Anybody who finds themselves worried or stressed about what the future may hold. Leaders and employees who feel like the workplace is grinding them down. Parents who wish to help their children or other family members cope with the stress of modern life.

Anxiety is the number one mental health issue in the world. At any point during the last 12 months, up to 18 percent of the world population experienced anxiety severe enough that it could have been diagnosed as a disorder, if they had been seen by a doctor. And this figure does not account for those who experience “lower” levels of anxiety. The most dangerous thing about anxiety is that it is a feeling that we’re all familiar with. And yet, so few of us are equipped with the tools and skills necessary for managing anxiety.This course aims to provide you with those tools. Drawing from the expertise of WMHI’s experienced faculty, the course provides you with mental, physical, spiritual, and social strategies that you can use in managing stress and anxiety. It also helps you to understand the potential causes of anxiety and how the condition can vary depending on a range of factors.

TAKE THIS COURSE admin@thewmhi.com

thewmhionline.com

How to Stop B

Start Living You

Authentic. It’s a word we use to describe not a copy or something false. You can s Picasso is authentic. But

y this definition, humans too, are naturally authentic. Your mere existence makes you so. Just look at a newborn baby – they are completely themselves. They want to cry, they cry, they want to sleep, they sleep, they want to relieve themselves, they just go for it. There´s no guilt, no shame, no over analysis. But we can´t keep doing that forever! You wouldn´t get very far in the world. As we are socialized, we learn to modify our behavior, to adapt to different circumstances, in order to survive, and to get the best outcomes. But often, through the process of interacting with the world around us, we can take this too far, and start to behave in a way that is not necessarily true to ourselves and to our own nature. And so, people can also lose that authenticity, and become fake, or false, doing things that are in conflict with, or even the opposite to their core personality and beliefs. People put on a fake persona for many different reasons. Many people struggle with showing their authentic selves due to fear, anxiety, and other uncomfortable emotions. They feel that if people knew who they really were, they wouldn’t be as wellliked, lose their respect or even lose their love. 16 | DECEMBER 2021

However, being authentic is actually one of the crucial aspects needed for healthy relationships that are impactful and meaningful. How can anyone love you for who you are, if you are not being yourself to begin with? And second, wearing a mask, or putting on a persona day in and day out can be tiring. It´s a heavy costume to wear, and we can end up exhausted and burned out. It is so much lighter and easier to let go of that person and just Be You. Which leads to the question; how can you start living your authentic self? Below we’ll answer that question and take a closer look at the common mistakes and misperceptions people have when it comes to being authentic.

What Does it Mean to be Your Authentic Self? Being authentic isn’t difficult but does take practice (as with everything in life). To be authentic, you must have a keen awareness of who you indeed are, including what you care about, believe in, and stand for. An authentic person, for example, says and does things that are in absolute alignment with their core beliefs and identity. They don’t change their views, actions, or opinions to please other people, and they

WORKLIFE

Being Fake and

ur Authentic Self

e when something is real or genuine and say that a Rolex watch or a painting by what about a person...?

answer questions with honesty and consistency. For example, authentic people: • Make decisions that align with their core beliefs and values. • Pursue their passions no matter what others might say. • Set boundaries and, in all circumstances, enforce those boundaries by walking away from toxic or harmful relationships. • Let themselves be vulnerable and open-hearted under the right situations and with the people they love and care about. • Listen to their conscience, the “inner voice” that guides us and, amazingly, is always right. The examples above should give you a good idea of what it means to be authentic and live an authentic life. To make it even more profound, though, being authentic will show you where you’re going and give your life clarity. As an authentic person, you know what your core values are, and you make every decision in your life based on those values. In turn, this allows you to build the life you dream about, give you more joy and happiness, and inspires those around you to be more authentic.

Common Mistake People Make About Authenticity As with all things in life, becoming your authentic self takes time, effort, and practice. The fact is, we all change and grow as we get older, and our core beliefs and values change also. As with everything in life, there will be obstacles and bumps along the way. To be authentic means to evaluate those obstacles, get over those bumps, and be the person you are inside on the outside. Some of the mistakes people make on the road to becoming theory authentic selves include: Equating Being Authentic With Being Rude, Aggressive, or Mean

Being authentic means sticking to your core beliefs and values under all circumstances. For some, this is often mistaken, if you will, for being an A-hole. Many people think authenticity is speaking your mind and saying your opinion no matter what the situation. In fact, the opposite is true. An authentic person doesn’t feel the need to force their opinions or beliefs on others. Yes, they will undoubtedly try, under some circumstances, to persuade people to see things “their way.” WWW.THEWMHI.COM | 17

However, authentic people know who they are and don’t waste time trying to change people who don’t want to, or aren’t ready, to be changed. Also, they use tact, compassion, and respect when talking to those whose opinions differ from their own. Not Being Sure of Who You Are

How To Start Being Your Authentic Self Being authentic, as we mentioned earlier, takes time, effort, and introspection. Below are a few methods you can use to let your authentic self shine through:

Less a mistake than a situation, not knowing exactly who you are is one of the obstacles you need to overcome on the journey to being your authentic self. That’s why authenticity is so difficult for teens and younger adults as they simply don’t know who they are, at least not entirely.

• Learn what your strengths are, whether with language, emotions, physical skills, etc.

Making the time to understand yourself, realize your core values and set your life on course to be authentic is necessary for all people. It takes listening to others, reading books, meditating, and being open to at least hear all opinions before making a judgment.

• Spend time every day doing things that help you realize who you are and what you stand for. Read books, listen to podcasts, learn from a mentor, practice being authentic, etc.

Trying To Remove the Risk of Failure, Embarrassment, or Pain

Many people make this mistake on the road to become their authentic selves,. They try to be someone whom they are not, to avoid pain, embarrassment, and failure. However, all of these emotions and feelings are natural and need to be confronted in a healthy way. For example, you need to realize that failure, though not optimal, is a natural part of life. Embarrassment? The only valid reason to be embarrassed is if you try to be someone you’re not, and it blows up in your face. If you are behaving in an authentic way, and you accept yourself as you are, then there is never anything to be embarrassed about. 18 | DECEMBER 2021

• Look at failure as a natural part of life rather than a roadblock or weakness. Everyone fails. The real winners are those who don’t let failure stop them from achieving their dreams.

• Actively practice spotting and dropping judgement – of yourself and others. • Don’t try to do it all at once. Start with smaller goals like becoming healthier, setting boundaries, and speaking from the heart.

Final Thoughts Becoming your authentic self is a worthy goal; it’s true. It’s also a goal that will take some time to achieve, so don’t rush it. Instead, take little steps, be unafraid to fail, and never, ever let anyone try to tell you who you are. Remember, becoming your authentic self isn’t something that one day happens and is set for the rest of your life. As you grow and mature, your authentic self will change and evolve also. If you allow that person to shine, your life and the lives of those around you will be much brighter. 

WORKLIFE

Returning To Work After The COVID Pandemic Crisis

illions are returning to the physical workplace after extended periods of time working from home. While the world is still dealing with the virus and its knock on effects, many people are now focused on what it will be like to get back to the workplace. There are many issues to be considered, that encompass work, family and mental health needs. Below we offer some tips to return to work successfully.

Tips For Employers: 1. Prepare your Team – what each person needs will depend on the individual. Talk to your people, understand their individual concerns. Help them feel safe and comfortable Negotiate and try to meet their emotional and physical needs. Communicate your expectations clearly. 2. Show Appreciation - Showing appreciation is still one of the most important things employers can do. People work best when they are acknowledged and appreciated. 3. Be Flexible - Each workplace will have different needs, but where you can, stay open to new ideas and be willing to experiment until you find what works for your team members and your organization. 4. Offer Employee Counseling - Whether they are having difficulty returning back to work or not, making counseling available let’s your employees know you care about their wellbeing 5. Be Available - Especially at the start. It will be normal for staff to have concerns and questions. These can usually be resolved quickly if you are available to reassure the person and address them. 6. Be Honest - You may not have the answers to everything, but be upfront about what information you know and don´t know. Demonstrating your transparency will go a long way to building trust

with your team members, and minimizing any anxiety they may have. 7. Consider New Workers – Some staff may never have actually been on site at the workplace before, or never met their colleagues in person. They may need some time to adapt to a new rhythm and to learn the culture of the organization. 8. Have Patience - Employees will need to re-adjust. Don´t assume everything will go back to how it was before – the workplace may look and feel different. Be patient as people become comfortable with any new changes.

Tips For Employees: 1. Take Care of Family - Ensuring that your children or other family members are safe and taken care of during working hours is essential to success in the workplace. 2. Re-Evaluate Your Skills - Are there any skills that need refreshing? Or new ones to be learned? This might be the right time to do so. 3. Keep the Balance - Returning to work may be accompanied with higher stress & anxiety. Make sure to take a little time during the day to destress. Move, stretch, walk up the stairs, or talk with positive co-workers. 4. Mental Health And Resilience Training - Learn about common signs of mental distress, develop tools to prevent them from arising, and know how to respond if they do. Your skills in this area can help you to manage stress, and also know how to assist someone else in distress. The road back to normal after COVID might be tricky but there are things you can do to make it a more pleasant experience. Think things through, be positive and take the time to prepare for your return to work.  WWW.THEWMHI.COM | 19

20 | DECEMBER 2021

WORKLIFE

Learn To Survive And Thrive Despite

Narcissists, Sociopaths & Psychopaths

ave you ever had an interaction with someone that wasn’t quite violent or blatantly rude but left you feeling ‘off´, rattled or shaken? What was going on there?

Have you found yourself falling for liars, con artists, or manipulators on more than one occasion? We have too. What about psychopaths? Ever wondered if someone you know is a psychopath? Sometimes it’s essential to know. Your life and reputation may depend on it. We are seeing more and more situations where people are facing extreme and antisocial behavior from people around them, where master manipulators are pulling the wool over people´s eyes, and where people are in real psychological and physical danger, and sometimes they don´t even realise. And this is having a huge impact on our collective wellbeing. Having delivered mental health and resilience training across the world, to organizations of all sizes and in all industries, and to individuals from all walks of life, we know very clearly that one of the things people struggle with most, in maintaining their health and wellbeing, is dealing with difficult people. Everyday interactions and relationships with friends, family and colleagues can be tricky enough, even when everyone involved has the best intentions at heart. But more and more, we see more extreme antisocial behavior to the point where you could be dealing with psychopaths, sociopaths, and other master manipulators. Suppose you are not prepared, not alert, or not equipped with techniques to deal with these people and situations. In that case, you could be at risk – sometimes physically, sometimes financially, but often psychologically too. Therefore, for good mental health and for so many other reasons, we need to build our awareness and understanding of people who may not have our best interests at heart. And develop a skill set to deal with these people, behaviors, and situations more effectively. We need to raise awareness and help people develop their psychological toolbox. We want good people to feel confident and in control when dealing with bad people out there – knowing that most people are good, well-intentioned people, but that, from time to time, they will come across people who may be dangerous to their psychological and physical health. We want you to know how to handle them.

We want you to be aware and prepared to be able to: • Identify different types of manipulators and understand their inner psychology • Know how to spot the signs of manipulation and how to respond effectively to nip those in the bud • Understand the dozen or so different strategies people can use in an attempt to shape your behavior, and how to neutralize them • Look after your psychological safety and mental health effectively and securely when dealing with these people and their behaviors So, what are some things you can do to protect yourself, your loved ones or your teams at work? Well, here are five things you can do, in a nutshell (we go into more detail and more strategies in our Psychological Self Defense course): 1. Spot it early and leave, but if you can´t go, then… 2. Get clear and confident in your own beliefs, knowledge, and values 3. Don´t try to play their game. Don´t try to outsmart them or trick them, or play pretend to catch them out. You´re not likely to win. 4. Communicate in a way that is very clear, firm and transparent. 5. Don’t try to control their actions, but stay cool, calm, and collected no matter what happens. There’s a lot to talk about, and it’s imperative we do. But it’s hard to put this much detail here in writing. That’s why we created the Psychological Self Defense course where people can discover the strategies, tools and skills, to better deal with difficult people and to develop a type of “psychological armor” to protect themselves and their team from harm. This online course shows you how to spot the different types of manipulators, the signs of manipulation, the ten sneaky strategies they use to pull the wool over your eyes, and the best ways to respond to this manipulation. We consider this essential knowledge for everyone. But if you are a Leader, Manager or Supervisor, then this is even more critical knowledge to protect the wellbeing of your team – and avoid the legal implications these types could create for your company. And if you are a parent, then it goes without saying, understanding these strategies and being able to protect your family is absolutely priceless. Please, do yourself, your family and your team a favor, and check out the Psychological Self Defense course It could be the best thing you do this year.  WWW.THEWMHI.COM | 21

The Value of

Having a Laugh

22 | DECEMBER 2021

WORKLIFE

When a person laughs, the stress response mechanism changes their heart rate and provides stress relief.

umor. It’s an interesting concept, to be sure, and can vary widely from person to person. What one person finds funny, another might not appreciate at all (or at least much less). One thing is sure, though, and it’s that humor and good health go hand-in-hand. Laughter really IS the best medicine. For example: • Humor provides stress relief. When a person laughs, the stress response mechanism changes their heart rate and provides stress relief.

on the other hand, managers are often too afraid to make a joke, or have a casual conversation, for fear of being accused of something. As one manager recently put it ´we can´t sneeze in the wrong direction or someone will complain to HR´ But the fact is that, when used correctly, humor in the workplace can be a positive thing. Indeed, using humor at work can provide a host of positive results. It can, for example;

• Laughing causes the human brain to release endorphins, the “feel-good hormones.”

• Ease the tension when things are stressful due to a big project or a looming deadline.

• When a person laughs long and hard, their heart and lungs get a blast of oxygen.

• Boost the spirits of an entire team working together on a difficult task.

• Contrary to popular belief, when a person laughs, it calms their nerves. That’s thanks to the rapid blood circulation laughing promotes.

• Humor builds trust among co-workers.

So laughter is the best medicine, and humor can provide even more health benefits. However, the question many have is this; does humor fit, or even belong, in the workplace?

Does Humor Belong in the Workplace? In the last few years, it seems that the headlines are always screaming about bullying, harassment, toxic workplaces and bosses who abuse their position of power. None of these headlines are funny, of course, and these kinds of issues are serious and need to be addressed. But increasingly, we are seeing that on further investigation into these cases, we discover that actually the boss (or Manager) did not actually engage in bullying, harassment, discrimination or other inappropriate behavior. Many times, they said something, or made a comment which in a usual context would be completely innocuous, but that due to other factors, was interpreted as an attack. This leaves Managers in a tricky situation. On one hand, managers are encouraged, or even required to create positive, upbeat, and fun workplaces to support employee wellbeing, engagement and retention. Yet

• Help managers or administrators become more relatable (or at least seem that way, which is almost as important).

Of course, much the same as in the world outside of work, humor is best used at the right time and in the proper context. Also, the line between making a joke that amuses everyone and making jokes at the expense of a co-worker should never be crossed. But, again, humor in the workplace isn’t just a good thing; some medical professionals believe that it’s actually necessary for a business to run as well as it can. Below are a few benefits a hearty chortle, snicker, or guffaw can bring to a workplace. WWW.THEWMHI.COM | 23

With Someone New on the Job Starting a new job, project, or other work-related tasks can often be filled with pressure and anxiety.

Sharing a funny story, anecdote, or well-timed joke can make the pressure of the situation disappear, and build your relationship with your new colleague. Humor is an Excellent Persuasive Device When you need to persuade people in your organization to see your point of view, gain their trust or resolve a conflict, humor is indispensable. Not only can it break the tension, but it also shows that you’re funny, creative, and outgoing, which is an invaluable persuasion tool. A Well-Timed Joke Can Put Everyone at Ease Work can often be a high-pressure situation, it’s true. Deadlines must be met, bosses must be appeased, and customers can be demanding. Amidst all of these anxiety-causing situations, a well-timed joke, funny anecdote, or quick-witted quip can be invaluable. It helps people to lower their walls, so to speak, and can lighten the mood considerably. Humor Can Help You Engage with an Audience Like a stand-up comedian at the top of their game, humor in the workplace can help you engage with an audience (even if they aren’t there for laughs). Even today, with many meetings being held virtually, a bit of humor can go far towards keeping everyone listening and involved.

Not All Humor and Jokes are Appropriate at Work Of course, what makes one person roar with laughter may not make nearly as big an impression on another. However, there are some jokes and humor that, while they may make some laugh, just aren’t suitable to tell in the workplace.

The thing about humor in the workplace is that it can be misperceived depending on the person telling and the person receiving the joke or anecdote. What that means is that, to use humor, you need to be keenly aware of your audience. If you feel that a gag, quip, or pun might not go over well, it’s probably best to avoid it altogether.

Go Ahead, Have a Laugh at Work It might seem like a risk to tell a joke or have a laugh at work in today’s world. While that might be true in some ways, the fact remains that humor is an excellent tool that can bring people together, increase trust and help persuade an audience to see things from a different perspective.

When used correctly, humor has a definite place in the office, warehouse, and even the boardroom. It’s effective, healthy, and can bring a team together in a way that they can go on to do amazing things and see fantastic results. At the very least, it can cut through the tension and give everyone a little breathing room. Here are a few quick rules to follow if you want to incorporate a little more humor into your workday: • Don’t overdo it. A joke here and there is acceptable, but every other sentence can quickly become too much.

Below are a few examples of “jokes” to avoid when on the job:

• Keep it Rated PG. If you wouldn´t say it in front of the whole team, don’t say it with just a few.

• Anything about sex, religion, or other cultures These are risky, and should probably be avoided.

• Know your audience well – especially if using humor in front of a large crowd.

• When there’s an ongoing crisis - Everyone responds differently, so while some may find humor helps to manage, others in crisis mode may see it as being indifferent to the situation.

• Don´t take yourself too seriously. If you are relaxed, others will relax too, making for a more productive and supportive workplace.

• Humor that mocks ridicules, taunts, or derides anyone - even if it´s only intended in jest

Humor can be a welcome respite from the trials and tribulations of the average workplace. It’s healthy both physically and mentally, puts people at ease, and can make a dull workplace just a bit more fun and exciting. In short, having the occasional laugh at work is highly recommended! 

• Jokes about recent events that were either negative, traumatic, or painful - You just don´t know how people are coping, or not. It can be too soon, too raw. 24 | DECEMBER 2021

WORKLIFE

The Importance of

SELF EXPRESSION W

hen it comes down to your mental health, one of the most important things you can do is to practice the art of self-expression. Too often, we are afraid of what others are going to say or of being cancelled just because what we think or feel may be different from the majority, or might upset or offend someone. But when you make it a habit of repressing your emotions and keeping it all inside, this tends to end badly for your overall mental health and well-being. Here we look at some of the benefits of healthy self expression.

Reduces stress and anxiety

When you repress your emotions instead of expressing them healthily and constructively, you also encourage negative feelings within yourself, such as anger, resentment, shame, and guilt. When you speak freely and openly to someone about yourself or find a healthy place to share your thoughts and feelings, you relieve stress and anxiety, thereby improving your overall mental health and wellbeing. This is why when you talk to a friend about your problems, you feel much better than holding everything within.

Improves confidence and self-esteem

Asserting your thoughts and feelings can help you gain more confidence in who you are, and help you to find your voice. When you keep shutting your feelings off, you subconsciously believe that your feelings aren't valid. As a result, it's easy to let your insecurities and doubts of yourself get in the way. One of the known benefits that self-expression brings to your life is calling you to a state of absolute confidence and self-esteem - one that you don't have to fake.

Increases happiness and contentment

It's generally difficult to reach a state of happiness and contentment when you're not expressing your problems and the thoughts that keep you up at night. The more you suppress those feelings, no matter how minor they might seem to you, the more difficult it becomes to let go of those disturbing thoughts and feelings. When you express what you feel, healthily and constructively, you clear space for happiness and joy.

Improves relationships

No matter your reason for keeping everything inside, whether it's the fear of being cancelled, abandoned, judged, or a fear of confrontation, the inability to express yourself will negatively impact your relationship with others and with yourself. Rather than taking on the impossible task of trying to please everyone else, if you focus on expressing your own true thoughts and feelings, you will find that people come to trust you more, which builds respect and love. You will also attract and build better relationships with the people who truly support you in your life.

Prevents Overwhelm

When you keep everything inside, can build up like a pressure cooker, until you feel like you're going to explode. Repressed emotions are some of the deadliest for your mental health, especially if you allow them to explode, and act on them. Expressing yourself as you go takes the pressure off a little at a time, so you can handle emotions in manageable chunks.

Improves Communication Skills

As you practice expressing yourself honestly, you will become better at communicating your thoughts, ideas, opinions and feelings in a healthy, concise and constructive way, so that others can understand. A common source of conflict is miscommunication or misunderstandings, so building the skills of communicating appropriately and with clarity is very beneficial professionally and personally.

Freedom

You can't live your life seeking validation or approval from other people, because it will hold you back from living your best life once you do. You can´t control other people´s thoughts or feelings, but you can take charge of your own. That is your responsibility and your pathway to freedom. Many things in life depend on your ability to express yourself. When you make a habit of processing your emotions and expressing your feelings constructively, you'll not only reduce your risk of developing mental distress, but you'll also be able to improve your confidence, happiness and relationships. 

3 Top Tips from Ancient Wisdom in

How to Exceed in 2022

Imagine having a map of the upcoming year, something to guide you forwards, to show you which roads to take and pointing out the pot holes to avoid. Welcome to the ancient world of Chinese Metaphysics and Wisdom. The ancient 10,000year Chinese calendar converts each moment of time into characters, these can have a Yin or a Yang (strategic or active) component and belong to one of 5 elements (metal, water, wood, fire or earth). The combination is unique to each hour, day, month and year creating patterns for each moment of time, from which wisdom and insights can be gained.

What is in store for 2022 – The Water / Tiger Year? 2022 is the Year of the Yang Water / Tiger, and the year begins on the 4th February which is classed as the first day of spring (following the solar /farmers calendar). The chart is unusual in that it is all Yang Elements, so a year of aggression, of action and of moving forward.

So, what does the year look like in terms of elements? There are 3 main elements in 2022. Earth (Mountain) Water (Ocean) and Wood (Tall trees) In addition there are 3 Tigers in the chart (the wood element) and an excess of Ren which is the Ocean water. This means the chart is not in balance as there are elements in extreme quantities. The missing Fire elements starts to return in 2022, which means that finally there will be more joy, happiness and positivity than in the past 2 years. 28 | DECEMBER 2021

What is the Visual for 2022? The year is visualized as the Amazon Rain Forest. A large body of water surrounded by large mature trees. The trees are dense and mysterious and whilst at first glance the image is one of beauty, there are hidden depths, dangers and unexpected events hidden in the ocean and deep in the mysterious forests.

WORKLIFE

The good news is there are many opportunities to be resourceful and creative in 2022. The elements have a spiritual nature in that the water and wood are classed as harmonious to each other as long as the water remains in balance. To benefit from 2022, self-awareness and an understanding that team work and collaboration with other people is what will bring success. There is a real need to understand and appreciate that life happens as a result of my individual actions and therefore I need to take more responsibility in 2022.

Here are my 3 top tips to maximise your success in 2022. 1) Emotional Stability is Key: Strong water is always symbolic of emotions. Emotional stability allows us to choose our response, rather than simply react to life and its twists and turns.

Once we learn to manage our emotions, then we manage our life. All emotions arise from thoughts, start to see the emotions for what they are, acknowledge them and know that they too shall pass away. We have a choice whether to act on an emotion or not. 2) Flow Forward: Just like the Amazon river continues to flow, “Flow Forward” needs to be the Mantra for 2022. Obstacles will come, so find a way to flow around them rather than trying to crash into them head on. There will be obstacles, there will be twists and turns, the trick is to Flow and Grow through them. Stationary water is stagnant and not pleasant, 2022 is a year to move ahead and to keep moving forward. Find a new route a new way, just keep flowing.

Personal growth and self-education are important in 2022. Choose your route and do not simply go with the flow of others.

3) Nature is our teacher in 2022: The 3 Tigers on the mountain of life will bring arguments, disputes and fights in 2022. The government, the business and the individuals will all have strong opinions and often all 3 will clash with each other. It can be a year of constant fighting, or it can be a year when there is more understanding shown, agreements made and everyone decides to compromise in some way in order for peace to return.

Strong leadership is needed on both a global scale and personally. The strong ocean water is seen as a tsunami of emotions, which can trigger extreme and violent outbursts. If not managed this will be very destructive. Nature is our mirror; the more violent the natural disasters become, the more we need to reflect internally on our personal contribution to life. COVID will remain with us for the duration of 2022, there will be a lot of confusion around the virus and not all will be made clear. The Virus will spread faster in 2022 and the end of the year in particular will see many issues concerning COVID. 

Sally Forrest Sally is a pharmacist, has an MBA and is the Managing Director of SoulCentre, Asia’s Premier Centre for personal development, based in Singapore. To maximise the year for personal and professional benefits, through your own personal chart, connect with Sally at sally@soulcentre.org

WWW.THEWMHI.COM | 29

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