The yachting industry is a busy and often stressful one despite living what outsiders perceive to be a dream lifestyle. According to a survey by Faststream and Yotspot in 2020, 64 per cent of respondents reported that they had experienced a mental health issue while working on board superyachts.
With this year being such a strange and difficult one, it’s more important than ever to look after our mental health and that of those that we care about. 10th October is World Mental Health Day so we thought we’d share some of our favourite resources for keeping a balanced mental well-being.
Podcasts
Feel Better Live More Dr Chatterjee’s podcast is Britain’s leading health podcast, with great conversations exploring mental and physical health, and the two-way relationship between them. Our favourite episodes include:
How’s Work? Psychotherapist and bestselling author Esther Perel is one of today’s most insightful voices on modern relationships, and in this new podcast she turns to work relationships. With the yachting industry requiring intimate working relationships and long hours, increased self-awareness of our own triggers is crucial for optimum mental health at work.
Books
Grit – Angela Duckworth
The premise of Angela Duckworth’s book is that grit matters more than talent. Science based and with plenty of real-world examples, she discusses grit and how to grow it.
The Source - Tara Swart
Blending neuroscience with self-help, this is a good start if you’re new to the world of self-development and want to make effective change in your life.
TED Talks:
Brenee Brown – The Power of Vulnerability – New York Times Bestsellers first TED talk. Her social work explores themes of courage, vulnerability, shame and empathy. Delivered with humour and honesty, this 20 minute video will likely have you exploring the rest of her work.
Shawn Achor – The happy secret to better work “90% of your long-term happiness is predicted not by your external world, but by the way your brain processes the world”.
Instagram:
Instagram is a double-edged sword – endlessly scrolling through other peoples curated output can be really unhelpful is you’re feeling low. But if you follow the right people, whose journey and honesty resonates with your own experiences, it can really help. Here are our favourites:
@bryonygordon – shares very real and often humorous insights into her battle with alcohol and depression
@matthaigz – the author of Reasons to Stay Alive – which is a great book for anyone who want to learn more about depression, how it affects people, and how to support someone who is suffering.
@_lisaolivera – positive thoughts and musings for difficult days from someone who has lived through depression
@lizandmollie – funny drawings that reflect the real life struggle
@thesleepschool – we all know that getting enough good quality sleep is essential for function, the sleep school recently posted a series of bedtime meditations.
Yachting specific resources
The Crew Coach has great blog post about dealing with difficulties onboard, problem solving, and mental health. Industry-specific and full of ideas and solutions, including a downloadable Mental Health Handbook.
ISWAN have some mental health resources including self-help guides and an audio-relaxation exercise on their website.
What Works for Us?
Amy “For me exercise is key – getting out on my bike, getting some fresh air, seeing nature and using my body. I’ve also learnt to be kinder to myself – we all have bad days – I try not to fight them or let them define me – I think its my body or mind asking for a break. It’s taken me a long time to be able to sit with sadness and let it process rather than bury it. Recognising negative self-talk – and trying to change it from “You’re lazy” to “You might feel better if you went for walk”. Music too – dancing round my kitchen to super loud tunes always cheers me up!”
Emmeline
“I echo what Amy says about exercise and nature – both are big levellers for me. Over the years I’ve learnt much about myself through yoga, massage training and coaching, and I’ve realised there is never a ‘destination’ with self-development. My biggest learning is that the techniques and practises that contribute to positive mental health actually need to be practised! As a busy single mum, that might mean squeezing in half an hour of movement in the morning, 5 minutes of mindful breathing daily, and making sure I swim in the sea once a week. Recently with the COVID crisis, I’ve realised how important authentic connection is to me, so I also make sure I schedule in regular time with friends.”
If you have concerned for yourself or anyone these are some great places to seek help and information:
Samaritans
Mind
Campaign Against Living Miserably
We hope these are interesting and useful – if you have any resources you’d like to share with us, we love getting recommendations. Stay safe and well xx.