HEALTH & FITNESS IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH

HEALTH & FITNESS

The Bounce Back Project designed to improve mental health

By Amber Silva

16 Live it! | Summer 2020

Mental health can be an uncomfortable topic for some people, due to the stigma sometimes attached to the phrase. Yet, good mental health is vital for everyone to live a healthy and full life.

The Bounce Back Project is a project geared toward improving mental health — without using those specific words.

The Bounce Back Project began in the Monticello and Buffalo areas in 2014 after a string of suicides in their communities. Allina Health, CentraCare and Stellis Health came together to create Bounce Back, a project that focuses on promoting health through happiness.

Bounce Back focuses on three main resiliency tools: • 3 Good Things • Random Acts of Kindness • Gratitude

All three of these tools are backed by scientific research which shows benefits an individual can receive by participating. The Bounce Back Project was developed to be replicated and introduced in more communities. Kandiyohi County has a core group of volunteers working to bring Bounce Back into our local communities.

The Bounce Back Project of Kandiyohi County has members from Carris Health, Kandiyohi County, Vision 2040, Willmar Public Schools, Willmar Community Education, BCBS – Healthy Together Willmar, SHIP (Statewide Health Improvement Project), Woodland Centers, Project Turnabout and Your Wings of Hope.

The goal of the Bounce Back Project of Kandiyohi County is not to overshadow any current work that is being done to help boost mental well-being.

The vision is that Bounce Back will compliment any resources already available. We have great projects already happening in our community such as: • The Kindness Project out of Teresa Holwerda’s office • The Orange Frog through the Willmar Public School District • The Kindness Rock project

Resiliency is important because this is what helps us bounce back from stressors that can occur in life. The better we can bounce back from stress the better mental well-being we have, which leads to better overall health and wellness. The Bounce Back project introduces tools that can assist us in recovering from disruptive change or misfortune without being overwhelmed or acting in dysfunctional ways. 3 Good Things

This tool allows us the opportunity to focus on the positives in our lives versus the negatives. The 3 Good Things practice lasts two weeks (14 days). For two weeks, preferably right before bed, you will write down 3 Good Things that happened in your day. If you do this for two weeks the benefits you will receive can be improved sleep quality, a more positive mindset and more positive relationships. Benefits from this exercise can last up to six months. Random Acts of Kindness

This tool allows you to make someone’s day special while also giving you a benefit in return.

Random Acts of Kindness can be inexpensive things such as smiling at someone or giving a compliment. They can also be monetary such as buying the person’s meal behind you in the drive-thru lane.

Research shows that those receiving a Random Act of Kindness can have positive benefits for up to 24 hours following and the person that performed the Random Act of Kindness can have positive benefits for up to two weeks. Gratitude

This tool focuses on sharing appreciation which spreads happiness.

To complete this tool, you’ll choose someone you would like to show appreciation to by writing them a letter, being specific as to what you appreciate about them.

To get the greatest benefit from this tool, you should deliver and read the letter to the person. In research studies, those who received the letter had higher happiness scores and lower depression scores.

The positive benefits can last up to one month. Those who wrote the letter presented with better sleep, better psychological well-being, better immune system function and better relationships.

You’ll begin to see information on the Bounce Back Project at community events and during community presentations. Watch for upcoming community events put on by Bounce Back and participate in the fun. Remember, a smile is simple, but can change a person’s entire day.

If you are interested in being part of the Bounce Back Project please contact Amber Silva at amber.silva@carrishealth.com.

Amber Silva is the ReYou Wellness Program coordinator and Wellness Care Guide at Carris Health Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.