"Whether it’s stress or joy, the more we focus on it, the more we’ll notice it," says Dawn Schell.

Dawn holds a Master of Arts in counselling psychology from Simon Fraser University and has pursued a diverse career in areas including trauma recovery, youth employment, career counselling, and mental health outreach and training at UVic. As an instructor with Continuing Studies at UVic, Dawn teaches the course Living with Less Stress and More Joy.

The path from surviving to thriving

Much of Dawn’s recent work draws inspiration from a book called The Book of Delights by Ross Gay, an award-winning poet who spent a year writing about the everyday wonders of life. "His delights were not always the same as mine," Dawn laughs, “but his essays showed how paying attention to small joys changed his perspective."

Dawn explains that reducing stress isn’t about fixing it but rather understanding how stress can help us learn and grow. "What we pay attention to increases, so if we focus more on joy, delight, and being present, we can increase our overall sense of well-being." 

As an instructor, she enjoys helping learners develop the skills and tools they need to meet their goals. One of the benefits of a group setting, or taking a workshop, is being able to share stories, knowledge, and resources with others to create a richer and more meaningful experience. "A workshop is an easier way to reach a whole group of people, and I've always wanted to talk about stress management because it’s a popular topic."

Personalizing the meaning of stress

What is stress? What purpose does it serve and when does the stress become too overwhelming? Dawn gives participants the tools to personalize what stress means to them so they can begin to navigate and understand it differently in their own way.

"I try to create an understanding of what stress is, and isn't, how it impacts us, how it shows up in our lives, and what the long terms effects of chronic stress are if we don't address it," Dawn explains. "Then we work together to unpack what they’re going through and what works for them in order to manage or lower the stress."

For those facing stress or burnout, a good starting point is building awareness and taking a moment to pause and gain perspective. Reflecting on questions can be helpful, for example: What’s draining me? What gives me energy? What’s one small step I can take to reduce my stress? Simple actions like taking a deep breath can be powerful as well.

"What’s tolerable for one person may not be tolerable for another," Dawn notes. "We’re all unique human beings with our own stories, and that’s important to honour."

Navigating stress in today’s world

In a constantly changing world, many factors contribute to increased stress from societal challenges like systemic oppression and financial instability, to chronic health issues and caregiving responsibilities. Fortunately, research on stress management and prevention is more accessible than ever.

In 2020, the University of Wisconsin-Madison developed a scientific framework on how to build a healthy mind with four pillars: awareness, connection, insight and purpose. Dawn emphasizes how building purpose and meaning includes looking at our sources of compassion and satisfaction. "I also think there's an element of play involved because it allows us to be more creative in our work and to find solutions we hadn’t thought of before." 

Another resource is the popular book Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle, by Emily and Amelia Nagoski, which offers valuable insights and science-based advice. Additionally, The National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace (the Standard) provides guidelines, tools and resources to support organizations with promoting mental health and preventing psychological harm in workplaces. Great West Life offers free workplace strategies for mental health and HelpGuide.org features extensive resources for mental health and well-being.

The joy of simple moments

As for Dawn’s students, she often asks them how they recharge and what brings them joy. The answers tend to be common activities like cooking a meal, hanging out with friends, spending time in nature or enjoying a quiet moment. “It doesn’t have to be big,” she says. "It can be as simple as being present, mindful and fully experiencing the sights, sounds and sensations around you."

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Dawn Schell, Manager of Mental Health Outreach & Training at the University of Victoria, is certified with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association and the BC Career Development Association. 

Learn more about Living with Less Stress and More Joy or explore our community health and wellness courses.

• Posted November 22, 2024