With Yelpers always celebrating events like National Taco Day and World Vegetarian Day, people might rightly assume that food holidays are our, err… bread and butter. But did you know that Yelp is also great for helping people find resources to manage their emotional health? According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, nearly 1 in 5 adults lives with a mental illness, any many are unsure of how to find help. While those in crisis should call 800-950-NAMI, a quick Yelp search can be the first step to finding your area’s top counselors and mental health professionals. Plus there are tens of thousands of listed businesses that can help to navigate stress and the challenges of everyday life.
In observance of Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 7-13) and in partnership with Depressed Cake Shop, here are some ways that Yelp Community Managers practice self care and manage stress.
Evelyn A, Toronto: I have a fun, but busy job, a toddler and a partner who has been on the road a lot lately. This means that when it comes to taking care of my own mental health, I have to be pretty scrappy and choosy. I’m a big fan of the traditional methods (yes, I found my therapist on Yelp), but also the less conventional. Like MINDSET Brain Gym, which offers guided meditation to get you into yourself and out of your head.
Drew A, Long Island: I enjoy going to the gym frequently as it eases my anxiety and gives me a calmness and confidence about myself that lasts all day. However, I found that it’s more rewarding to choose fitness goals that are beyond the way I look in the mirror or what it says on the scale. About three years ago I took up distance running and now I’m onto running ultra-marathons all around the northeast. These runs require months of training, both mentally and physically, and you can’t do it alone! The Greater Long Island Running Club has helped me prepare for the (many, many) miles ahead.
Andi P, Orlando: I plan and host events ranging from 40 people to 1000 people, present to large groups of business owners, and manage a nimble team of staff. I also have Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Though a propensity towards anxiety and panic would seem like a major hindrance in my very public role, that hasn’t been the case because I keep a toolbox full of ways to prevent and manage the inevitable stress of my fabulously hectic career. But daily habits have a better chance at sticking when you find a local community to keep you engaged and accountable. I’ve found that at COAL Space, otherwise known as the Center for Abundant Living.
Tyler M, Cincinnati: I’m a huge believer that the key to maintaining strong mental health is by routine self-care. For me, daily guided meditation has helped to keep my anxiety at bay and to live a bit more at ease. Additionally, Cyclebar has proven to be part of my routine that helps keep my mind and body healthier. The instructors at Cyclebar seem to always be able to convince me that, with a little work, every day can be better than the one before.
Julie S, Oklahoma City: I’ve found that a lot of my anxiety comes from worrying about the state of the world, and that can take its toll. For me, the best way to alleviate this particular stress is by doing my small part to help in my community. Yelp lists a lot of non-profits and community organizations, and through the app I’ve found several ways to help. My community has gone to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma several times to participate in an awesome program that helps kids with food insecurity. Knowing I’ve been able to connect my community to these organizations and their missions helps me know I’m making a difference.
Cara L, Seattle: As a domestic violence survivor, functional introvert, and sufferer of PTSD and anxiety, it is vitally important that I have outlets outside of work that help me recover, relieve stress, and feel more confident. I’m am a huge advocate of therapy, and I go regularly. As far as physical activity, I train in self-defense at Krav Maga Seattle 5-7 times a week! It’s an incredibly empowering practice that have given me the gift of not only trusting in my ability to protect myself, but others as well—which is really important to me.
Breanna B, Rochester: I’m a huge advocate for working productively while simultaneously making time for creativity and self care. One tip that changed the way I work is to focus on one thing at a time. It’s seems simple, but we work in a world with distractions left and right, pinging notifications, and think that multitasking is a good thing. Instead, I block time on my calendar for each task, which helps keep my mind focused on what’s at hand (close those browser tabs!). Balance is key too! I fit in workouts at least 4 times a week to keep my mind clear, prioritize time in the kitchen because cooking keeps me creative, and schedule monthly visits to my acupuncturist, Stokes Acupuncture, for a mental reset.
About Depressed Cake Shop:
One in five people will suffer from, or be touched by, a mental health issue at some point in their lives. The Depressed Cake Shop™ is a unique (and delicious) platform designed to raise awareness of these challenges. With the help of our co-conspirators, we facilitate pop-ups worldwide that sell highly customized baked goods as a way to get people talking about mental illness. We provide a safe place for conversation and a unique toolkit that will enable interested bakers and organizers to raise funds for mental health charities through locally organized pop-ups. Visit us online to see if a Depressed Cake Shop is opening near you!
