Leslie Bennett - Mental Health Sherpa

05/07/2020

When your auntie sends you a homemade gift in the mail. Thank you for all the work you are doing in keeping CANADIAN connected.

05/07/2020

It’s been since March 1 that I was in her room, touching her hand and telling her I love her. For some reason I’m not remembering why I didn’t get to see mom between the 1st and March 15th. So it’s now been 67 days since I’ve laid my eyes on my mom. Today we arrange for a meeting at the homes back door. It’s hard, heartbreaking and unbearable at times. I’m grateful for the support her home provides, the level of care she gets and the ongoing patience and grace the staff have at her residence. We have had a couple of Skype calls with her - the staff are great and will set it up so we can see her and talk to her. The last time we did mom’s sister was on the skype with us and she sang mom this old time Jamaican song:

Linstead Market

🎶Carry me Ackee go a Linstead market 🎶not a quatie would sell!
Everybody cm feel up, feel up, not a quatie would sell.. oh Laud, what a nite, not a bite, what a Saturday nite🎶 (repeat) ...

It was the most precious moment I’ve experienced with my mom and our family. ❤️



@ Toronto C•A•N•A•D•A

04/27/2020

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My dad used to say: OK Les, I’ll time you... and he would time me doing a ton of different things. it mostly started as a game to get me focused on something other than what the adults were talking about At the time, I didn’t realize he was teaching me one of the most useful strategies there is: Time Blocking.

When time blocking use a very loud alarm ⏰ - I like the stove timer because it makes me get up from my desk and move into my kitchen to turn it off.

Benefits of the stove timer (or a timer that is out of your reach) in Time Blocking:
👉exercise and movement
👉give my eyes a break from the screen
👉gets me focused to think about what’s next vs rolling into one task after another.

I use time blocking to keep me organized, structured and efficient. Especially when my natural tendency is to run after every shinny objective that comes into my vision.

You can time block just about anything;

In the work context - I’ll time block (15 min) when there is something I need to get done and I notice I am procrastinating.
In the personal context - I know it take me 7 minutes to get my make up on - I’ll time block myself especially when I feel rushed.

Time blocking helps with focus, efficiency and once you do it enough you will begin to know how long something takes without time blocking. It’s an interesting phenomenon; the begins to know how much time you need to do things. It deepens your , broadens your attention span and increases your .

Start with a small task that isn’t too important; then once you are used to this kind of structure see how it improves your effectiveness at work.

e.g. Time Block : washing dishes
👉Put a timer on for 5-10 minutes
👉Turn off all other distractions
👉Wash the dishes until timer goes off
👉Notice what you are thinking about - keep your activities to only one :
👉If by the end of the time you want to do more, give yourself another 5-10 minutes.

Time blocking works when it feels like a game / not a chore. Make it fun. We have enough time to get it all done.

04/24/2020

Love this self care hack for working from home.
easy to remember, easy to implement.
Be well everyone - it’s friday!!!!::

🦉For every 20 minutes of screen time. Look away for 20 seconds at something 20 feet away. Your eyes need about 20 seconds to relax. By doing 20-20-20 this helps your eyes relax and improves your concentration ❤️❤️👏❤️❤️

#202020

04/23/2020

An engagement session participant lovingly receiving "pet support", as we gear up to launch a peer support program in their workplace. Let’s not forget to show some love to all of our animal friends who are always there for us!

04/22/2020

The Possibility of Paradox:
Twice a week I clear with .shapter ; in our 15 min clearing calls we have a chance to say everything that is in our space or on our minds. Some days there is a lot to say others not so much - we always end with creating a way of being for the week that typically gives us actions aligned with our commitments.

This week I created a possibility just to see what would happen - The Possibility of Paradox Here’s what I noticed:

Summer and Winter
On my bike ride my perception was: it’s winter/ snowing and summer at the exact same time - Paradox

Trust and Fail
During my client delivery - my perception of myself was I could trust I knew what I was doing and afraid I was going to fail - Paradox

HeartAche and Joy
My experience of work recently - When I get present to the suffering and massive impact COVID-19 has on many people and those business deemed non essential my heart melts into a puddle and at the very same time I’m excited about what’s possible now as it relates to workplace mental health. Paradox

Pain & Empowered
My experience of my physical health - I’m in pain (wrist, knee, shoulder hips) and I’m more empowered and doing more for my physical health than I ever did before COVID19 (MELT, Pilates, bike riding, baths, franklin balls). Paradox

Scared & OK
My experience of sleep - I’m hyper aware that my interrupted sleep could impact my mental health and I’m practicing just being ok with how my sleep goes. Practicing Paradox

What are you noticing about your experience?
What structures do you have in place that are supportive for your mental, physical, emotional, spiritual health during COVID19?
What paradox’s are you present to with COVID19?

04/03/2020

Happy Friday everyone:
What keeps swirling around in my head and visiting my consciousness is:

“Perspective is a Function of Experience”

Over the past 4 weeks I continue to see where my role as a leader is to help calm the waters, settle the ball, and shine a light on where we all have wisdom that can support perspective taking for those who do not have the perspective. It hasn’t been easy and I’ve had to do lots of course correcting. Here’s what I’ve noticed:

❤️ My role as a leader is to take care of myself so I can provide that perspective for others and my team.

❤️ My role as a leader is to have have compassion for where others are in their response to this new reality (their perspective) and withhold judgement.

❤️ My role as a leader is also to not tell but rather be the space and clearing for those people around me uncover what they already know, but may have forgotten.

❤️ My role as a leader is to stay in my lane with what I know. That has taken reflection (time and space), the ability to delegate, trust my intuition, and get really curious about my own perspective.

❤️ My role as a leader is to hold the “truth” lightly and realize I might just need to shift it.

❤️ My role as a leader is to remember my resiliency.

❤️ My role as a leader is to ask for support.

❤️ My role as a leader is to support others to get perspective by elevating the the conversation. To point to what is helpful and what is not.

For those of us who have lived through crisis, we hold a perspective and wisdom that others don’t have.

Now, more than ever we need brave leaders to show up. Now, more than ever, we need to come together.

What are you noticing as your role as a leader?

03/31/2020

A recent reminded me of my love for the Moulin Rouge – I love the , colour and story.

It was the summer of 2003, SARS had broken out in April, the meetings industry was tanking, and I was on a -share. Uncertainty plagued us each day. Not knowing how the industry was going to bound back, not knowing how SARS would affect us financially.

In the mist of this, Neil and I were planning our . We didn’t know if we would need to cancel or postpone. I had more time on my hands so was able to keep busy planning and coordinating for the summer.

We knew we needed a so I suggested the song Come What May and got help from a dance instructor. We were , in and willing to have some fun....And Neil, well he was just a yes to me. ❤️

I re-watched Moulin Rouge this weekend. I cried laughed, danced and sang. It felt so good. I rediscovered our wedding song 🕺💃

Finding activities that make us feel good and move the emotions through our bodies is critical right now.

With so much uncertainty, getting grounded and taking actions that support feeling good help me to overcome feelings of inadequacy, uncertainty, guilt, fear, sadness, overwhelm, anxiousness, panic....you get it I’m sure.

Here are a few things you can do to move those emotions.

• Move your body - dancing makes you feel good
• Listen to music that evokes emotional resonance - you’d know it because you’ll feel it in your body, mind and heart.
• Experience Art (music, poetry, books, movies, photography, paintings) that stand the test of time Rewatch, Reread, and share it with others
• Make Art - use your creativity - create anything and share it. Use what you have around you.
• Do things that evoke that replace panic (uncertainly) with love.:
❤️How are you managing? ❤️how do you feel?
❤️what resonates with you?
@ Toronto C•A•N•A•D•A

03/28/2020

A reminder about the small things:
Receiving and sending mail....
My experiencing of being remembered with a tactical item (vs a text or video)

Well to me it feels real. It grounds me in remembering who I am and what I stand for - the human experience. [love and use video conferencing all the time and for me there is an element of not real]

Holding this pencil case in my hands reminds me of what is real. For me that’s the juice of life - it is life.

Thank you to the Canadians that continue to deliver the mail. ❤️

The hand written and thoughtful word is our generations forgotten gift. Don’t forget to use your hands to create. Why not send someone you love a card, handmade possibly or even recycled? Your voice matters - through your words or someone else’s - it doesn’t matter which .. just because you can send something with love ❤️

This was a gift I received last week for my 50th birthday in the mail. My cousin and her family sent it. It’s meaningful, full of love and common recent experiences. ❤️

The poem:
Blessed be the mind that dreamed the day.
The blueprint of your life
Would begin to glow on earth
Illuminating all the faces and voices
That would arrive to invite
Your should to growth.
John O’Donohue To Bless the Space between us

CanadaPost update: https://www.canadapost.ca/cpc/en/our-company/news-and-media/corporate-news/news-release-detail.page?article=2020/03/23/important_changes_to&cattype=announcements&cat=newsreleases :
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@ Toronto C•A•N•A•D•A

03/27/2020

In case anyone is losing the plot:

Remember 1992:
Everybody Hurts - R.E.M

When your day is long
And the night
The night is yours alone
When you're sure you've had enough
Of this life
Well hang on
Don't let yourself go
'Cause everybody cries
And everybody hurts sometimes
Sometimes everything is wrong
Now it's time to sing along
When your day is night alone (hold on)
(Hold on) if you feel like letting go (hold on)
If you think you've had too much
Of this life
Well, hang on
'Cause everybody hurts
Take comfort in your friends
Everybody hurts
Don't throw your hand
Oh, no
Don't throw your hand
If you feel like you're alone
No, no, no, you're not alone
If you're on your own
In this life
The days and nights are long
When you think you've had too much
Of this life
To hang on
Well, everybody hurts sometimes
Everybody cries
And everybody hurts sometimes
And everybody hurts sometimes
So, hold on, hold on
Hold on, hold on
Hold on, hold on
Hold on, hold on
Everybody hurts
You are not alone

if you need help please call your local crisis line:
https://www.torontodistresscentre.com/covid-19-updates

03/22/2020

This is a long share 10 minutes. I share why I think we have got this and some tips to manage the emotional spirals we sometimes (all the time) fall into during a crisis.

03/22/2020

Got this message. I have shared what our is doing in .
Amazing that this is happening
Somehow it gives me a of and . Arms wrapping around the type feeling.🥰

not just our neighborhoods in our community but in all communities. 🌍🌍🌍❤️❤️❤️🌍🌍🌍🌍:

03/21/2020

We are on break. Awesome to connect with the TSN leaders. Bonus of meeting online- no washroom lines during break.❤️❤️🇨🇦🇨🇦🌍🌍

03/20/2020

Good morning everyone. This came into my inbox today - I love DJ Drez - he's just released an album called Less is more...so appropriate - and a free download track called Crane. No lyrics and a lovely piece of music to relax to and do some certering / grounding / mindfulness. - or just close your eyes and relax (FYI he releases free tracks and of course has an album you can buy - but it's not necessary to listen to Crane. Stay well. ) :
👍 just google DJ Drez Bandcamp and you’ll see all of his gorgeous offerings and music. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

03/19/2020

How I’m feeling about this crisis and the lockdown of senior residences

03/01/2020

Making time for friends is an important self care activity.
My life often gets very busy with “other” priorities and friends slip off my radar. Finding ways to manage my energy so I can tend to my priorities is a journey and discovery.
If I couple it with other outings (today was accupuncture appointment and cleaning up my dads place) my showing up rate and likelihood increases.
I’m already out so ....grateful for friends who understand ❤️❤️:
@ City Betty

12/14/2019

Nov 16 2019 - Dare to lead faciliator certification training. What a week!
What do you get when you put 108 participants in a classroom, build indestructible trust container, add in A Flash mob with full orchestra and choir playing Ode to Joy. - Think maestro in the city serenading Dr Brene Brown. Mix in pure authentic vulnerability and let it develop for 2.5 days? A group of amazing people, all working towards the common goal of bringing more courage into organizations.

What a blast we had in November- an incredible experience to live and breathe the Dare to Lead curriculum. And having it taught by . San Antonio was magical and a beautiful backdrop to this adventure.
We got vulnerable....oh did we ever.
As a Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator we support leaders to:

Rumbling with Vulnerability: learn how to face risk, uncertainty, and emotional exposure with courage and clarity.

Live into our Values: identifying, operationalizing, and practicing the beliefs that we hold most important.

Braving Trust: creating or deepening connections in relationships and teams based on the seven elements of trust.

Learning to Rise: Learning and growing from the failures, setbacks, and disappointments that are inevitable when we are brave with our lives.

We need more brave leaders in our organizations, are you up for it?


@ San Antonio, Texas

12/01/2019

Family matters so much. Love up your people. Be grateful for the lessons they all teach you. ❤️❤️:
@ Toronto C•A•N•A•D•A

11/13/2019

Getting ready to get ready. evening check in.

11/09/2019

It’s curious to me what is appropriate when someone is dealing with the death of a loved one and what
is most helpful - For me what I need is space and connection. Funny, a paradox of sorts. Space to feel what I’m feeling and connection to know that I still matter. Thank you to everyone who has reached out.
I’ve been contemplating on what my dad has given me over the years and I know this one truth - he was the master of fun times. He really only wanted to have a good time and make sure others were having the same. I learned how to make jokes, have fun and be social by his role modelling. He would help others out too - I remember one day I must not have been more than 7, my dad had picked up a man off the street, and brought him home for breakfast - scrambled eggs and bacon. As the man sat on the stool in the kitchen and the light poured in from the backyard, I had a hard time seeing his face - just a silhouette of a hat and jacket. My mom on the other had was beside her self with what my dad had done. Just another example of parents who had very different ideas of what was acceptable and what was not.
My dad had a big heart and knew people needed help, and had his own way of helping. He liked to be social and talked about many subjects. He liked books, was well read had great interest in many things including historical CANADIAN events and movements.
RIP Dad. I love you.

10/13/2019

1994 vs 2019. See a difference? Cousin love 💕 with people you love. and I are often told how much we look like each other. Thanks to that Priske gene. 🇨🇦✈️😀

08/11/2019

Morning walks with are my favourite We have walked many kms for many years. Todays walk marks a change for us. Not just going to be two of us anymore ❤️😀 and our route will surely change. The beaches have served us beautifully with pristine sunrises over Lake Ontario, nice flat 6 K route to tasty for our usual morning bite to eat with decadent dirty Golden milk Latte and Londonfogs. Life just comes with change. Being open to what’s next and trusting we will find our path. :
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@ The Beaches

07/25/2019

If you know me, you’ll know I’m a big fan of self-care.
Self-care for both mental and physical health.
Over the last 6 days Neil and I went on a self-care retreat in Ivins Utah. The environment and landscape is breathing taking. From the contrast of the desert sand and ground vegetation (including lava fields) to the towering red rock mountains that line the perimeter of the town. To the loving kindness of the people who live and work there and their open hearts to serve, this was a retreat like no other.

We stayed at Red Mountain Resort. From Friday to Monday we were part of a group attending Sue Melt performance retreat. A wonderful way to learn how to manually take care of some of those stress injuries from over use and repetitive movements.
Sue has created a way to give yourself a self-care treatment on daily basis to rehydrate your body and eliminate pain.
Taking time off to nurture my body and mind was incredibly helpful.
While The melt treatment seems like a physical treatment it also supports our mental health through releasing stuck stress and emotions from our body, something we aren’t always conscious of.

While this concept of emotions living in our body was familiar, the extent to which I could do something about it was new for me. Understanding that taking care of my mind happened only through a therapist was a flawed premise on my part. Little did I know the power of releasing emotions from my body is in my hands and my control.

The last six days included swimming, soaking, hiking, biking, eating, yoga, sleeping and enjoying the Panoramic TV view of the red mountains. Something we didn’t get tired of.

If your looking for a outstanding resort spa experience , check out If you have pain or injury or interested in vitality well into your 40’s-50’s-60’s-70’s-80’s-90’s check out what’s possible with the .

’sofmelt @ Ivins, Utah

07/23/2019

Love birds!!

06/18/2019

Good evening Halifax. 🌕

06/17/2019

Father’s Day.
Happy to celebrate with the family yesterday. We organized a small outing for Dad to see Rocketman. It was a great movie. Every moment with my Dad provides me with an opportunity to be my best self.
Some days I’m good at it and others I’m not. Yesterday was one of those days - it started out with the best of intentions and by the end I wondered what happened that created such chaos.

My dad is curious, funny, generous, smart and knows how to fix just about anything. He has taught me patience, self worth, and allowed me to practice putting in boundaries.

Yesterday I learned he and mom went to see Elton John in 1972 in concern. I could just imagine those two going to Maple Leaf Gardens. Two young people in love, out to make a difference in the world. Two young people not knowing how life was going to unfold. When I can get connected to that man, my heart melts. The little things no longer irritate me and I can see him for the imperfect man he is. No one is perfect - we all have our stuff. If anything my father has taught me to be my best self and be ok with the messiness of it. Love you dad - happy fathers day.

06/11/2019

Love seeing how my condo community comes together to support each other. Someone is growing on their balcony which is awesome and offering free fresh herbs. Lovely offering. 🐸🌻❤️

05/18/2019

Found this today and thought I'd share - while Mind Share Partners it's a US-based resource many of the recommendations apply globally. Have a great long weekend everyone! 🌸
https://www.mindsharepartners.org/blog/will-your-employer-will-support-your-mental-health

As you search for your next job, this article shares 5 questions to ask during your interview to learn if a prospective employer will support your mental health

03/16/2019

Talking about your mental health in public.

🙋‍♀️I'm often asked: "What have you found to be the easiest and the hardest parts about telling your mental story in public forums?"🌻

Easiest part:

We are the creators of our story, we lived and continue to experience our story everyday. We own the story’s wisdom. When I can get past the fear of telling my story, it’s always right there for me.🌻

Hardest part:

Every time (and I haven’t found this to decrease over the 11 years of sharing my mental health story publicly) I tell my story in front of a group, it seems like the worst idea I’ve ever had, and my body agrees with me! I feel sick, anxious, and often the fear messes with my ability to think.🌻

Tricky Tricks:

When this happens, and I notice I’m talking faster than normal, can’t catch my breath, or am present to the very loud commentary running in my head, I’ll do two things that help:🌻

1. I’ll say to the audience: “You might notice I sound super nervous. When I talk in front of a group about my mental health, I always get nervous, it always feels like the wrong thing to do. And, I do it because my commitment to decreasing stigma is bigger than my fear of your opinions” - as long as I own it and declare it, it always dissipates.🌻
2. As part of my opening, I’ll often teach and model some form of relaxation or breathing practice: after I have been introduced, I’ll have the audience to do the breathing technique with me. Its works in two ways: 1) it’s a tool they can use later to decrease any stress or anxiety they might have and 2) it reduces my anxiety in that moment.🌻

Do you share your mental health story? If so, what do you find is hard and easy about telling your story?:
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#2019

03/04/2019

Join us! Essential Oils for Seniors’ Good Health :
On Wednesday, March 6, 2019 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Location:
Toronto Botanical Garden

NEW! This class will provide information on the background and uses of essential oils, focusing on common ailments in older people such as aches and pains, memory lapses and a weakened immune system. Participants will ‘make and take’ home samples for ailments discussed in the workshop.

You can register on the TBG website:
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