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Make mental wellness a priority this February – for you and Langley youth

Langley Community Health & Hospital Foundation wellness campaign invites you to 'Anchor Your Mind'
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This February, the Anchor Your Mind initiative is a month full of opportunities to learn, try new wellness techniques, and raise funds for youth mental wellness programs.

Mental wellness opportunities can look different for everyone, but what's universal is their importance to the quality of our day-to-day lives. 

Equally important is helping youth learn wellness resiliency skills early, to establish the groundwork for life-long success. 

To support both goals, the Langley Community Health & Hospital Foundation invites you to Anchor Your Mind this February, a month full of opportunities to learn, try new wellness techniques, and raise funds for youth mental wellness initiatives here in Langley.

Net proceeds will support vital youth programs through the Langley Community Health & Hospital Foundation. Each year, an estimated 1,000 Langley youth need immediate access to critical mental health and substance use support services, but fewer than 25 per cent receive the help they need.

Anchor Your Mind culminates with a Wellness Expo, March 1, filled with wellness activities and informative speakers, including Tyrell Mara, founder of The Human Performance Project and owner of the world-class optimal performance and recovery sanctuary here in Langley, The Wellness Den.  

Parents will also want to check out Taming the Worry Dragons, a workshop presented by Langley Community Services Society and the Children’s Foundation that provides psychological education and tips for children struggling with anxiety.

Take steps to Anchor Your Mind

Winter can be especially challenging for mental wellness. Dr. Olutade (Tade) Olajitan, a psychiatrist practicing out of Langley Memorial Hospital who counsels patients dealing with issues that affect quality of life, encourages patients to take advantage of natural light as much as possible, get at least seven hours of sleep every night and build a strong social network of family and friends. 

“Wired into our DNA is the need to socialize. Isolation and loneliness are significant risk factors for mental health decompensation,” he says.

When stressors pile up, Dr. Olajitan recommends breaking down tasks into small steps.

“We always have a long list of things to do. Break tasks into manageable steps and focus on completing one thing at a time,” he says. “Setting realistic goals can prevent feeling overwhelmed and reduce stress.”

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Dr. Olutade (Tade) Olajitan, a psychiatrist practicing out of Langley Memorial Hospital, offers tips to support our mental wellness. Courtesy LMHHF

Learn more about the factors that affect our mental health and new strategies to enhance mental wellbeing during this month’s Anchor Your Health: 

1. Attend the Anchor Your Mind Wellness Expo, March 1 at Timms Community Centre – Open to visitors of all ages, interests and abilities, enjoy a full day of wellness activities, including speakers, activities like yoga, painting and floral design, and more. See the full schedule and buy your tickets at AnchorYourMind.ca.

2. Take the 28-Day Learn the Ropes Challenge – Set aside a few minutes each day this February to try a new activity, learn a tip to improve mental wellbeing, or try a new activity to improve your own mental wellness. Visit AnchorYourMind.ca to get your daily challenge, provided by a wellness expert. You can even sign up for daily updates right to your email!

3. Take part in fundraisers for local mental health initiatives – Turn your 28-day challenge into a fundraiser for Langley youth initiatives! Recruit your community to donate in support of your work and your passion for helping others find the services and support they need to begin their mental health recovery. You can also support a local business, from fitness studios to bookstores to floral shops, who are hosting exclusive donation-based events or offering a product with a percentage of proceeds to support Anchor Your Mind.

Plan your 28-day wellness journey at AnchorYourMind.ca and lchhfoundation.com