the ask Be so funny Lena Dunham notices. For Gigi Sagansky, mental-health advocate and host of the Driven Minds podcast, I conceptualized, wrote and edited caption and post copy across Instagram and Twitter. Tracking traffic and analytics, I engaged with our social community to foster a meaningful audience, driving growth to a following of over 11k.
Caption Copy: "Bibliotherapy is a thing ❤️🔥 and the idea of reading as a healing activity is not new; King Ramses II of Egypt had a special chamber for his books; above the door were the words “House of Healing for the Soul.” Freud incorporated literature into his psychoanalysis practice, and medical professionals and psychologists have been "prescribing" books for their patients to read for hundreds of years. • As far as crazy cool concrete facts go: a 2009 study found that reading reduced stress by nearly 70% by lowering heart rates and easing muscular tension more so than having a cup of tea or listening to music. They also found that reading for 6 mins had a huge impact on stress, and reading for 30 mins reduced stress *as much as a yoga session of the same duration.* • An added bonus of reading fiction in particular is that it increases empathy, social skills, and interpersonal understanding. Researchers at The New School found that the more fiction someone read, the higher they scored on empathy and social acumen tests than those who read less. When I was in treatment we had seminars on empathy - practicing empathy improves your ability to effectively manage and respond to an emotional experience so you're more equipped to handle stressful or emotionally challenging situations, which in 2022, are innumerable❤️🔥 • ** For anyone currently struggling with OCD and reading - for two decades, my OCD latched onto books, and made it v difficult for me to read. I would have to read every single word *perfectly*, sometimes twice, and if I didn't, I would feel the urge to re-read the paragraph all over again. Reading became more exhausting than pleasurable which was heartbreaking because despite the struggle, it remained my all-time favorite pastime. Reading was my final hurdle in treatment. To have reading back - to pick up a book knowing I can get through the whole thing with excitement and ease - is the greatest gift I've ever given myself. • Swipe for some of my faves and resources ❣️ • SOURCES Psychology Today, 2009 study took place at the University of Sussex" July 26, 2022
Caption Copy: "Friendly reminder that the amount of time we spend on social media is directly linked to an increase in anxiety and depression 🤍 So why do we come back for more when IG literally makes us sick? 1) Humans have a hard time coping with uncertainty. We post with the hope of receiving positive feedback, and this potential future reward system locks us in a cycle of feeling the urge to check. “When the outcome is unpredictable, the behavior is more likely to repeat,” says Dr. Jacqueline Sperling, a psychologist at McLean Psychiatric Hospital. This addictive thought cycle of surprise ("I wonder who liked my post?"), disappointment ("why didn't this get more likes?!"), and reward ("the hot barista watched my story ayy") keeps us hooked like a cowboy playing the slot machines in Vegas. 2) Did you know that right before we open IG we are already in fight or flight mode? The most immediate way for our bodies to rid itself of the stress chemicals is to do the activity that’s making us anxious – check our phones — which, in turn, leads right back to increased anxiety the longer we doom scroll. Knowing my brain is fully implicated in this cycle, reminds me to take a breather before opening this app. I also set a timer which I have ignored completely countless times. BUT self-awareness is more than half the battle. Above all, not only are our caveman brains not wired for this constant stream of anxiety, but our online connections are not a replacement for the meaningful ones we make in real life 🫧 — SOURCES Slide 1 - Preventative Medicine Reports, 2019 Slides 2-9 are source tagged" July 13, 2022
Caption Copy: "CONGRATULATIONS to @charlottecardin who was nominated for 6 Juno Awards (Canadian Grammys baby!) ahead of Bieber, Shawn Mendes, and the Weeknd - no shade just saying. On a side note I have never laughed harder (legit peed) during an episode than I did with this beautiful human being. If you missed this ep give it a listen! The Canadian singer/songwriter gives us the lowdown about why you should never be scared of your darkest thoughts, her tricks to overcoming performance anxiety, and the hit song she wrote about her ex that she hopes he'll never find out about! 🩰 LINK IN BIO •" March 2, 2022
Caption Copy: "THAT’S A WRAP 🎬 Our Season 2 finale guest is @jacmonika, a supermodel & former Victoria’s Secret Angel. Since landing her first modeling job at 13, (an Hermes campaign) Jac has seen the fashion industry transform from the pre-MeToo dark ages to a more conscious one. We talk about health scares, weight, our most embarrassing moments, VS, managing anxiety and why she prefers to be a follower rather than a leader. THANK YOU Jac for sharing your story, your wisdom & your vulnerability 💫 •" January 14, 2022
Caption Copy: "#OCDAwarenessWeek ✨4/12/2019✨This is a photo of my last day at McLean when I had no idea what my life would look like, where I would live, who I would love, or what was in store for me ❤️ • I never Googled McLean Hospital before I checked in. 40% out of fear of what I would read, 60% because I didn't think I'd actually go if I got off the waitlist. • In 2019 my OCD was the worst it had been in 20 years. The intrusive thoughts and rituals ate up every ounce of my energy and mental reserves and made my life at Condé Nast so much harder than it needed to be. I had rituals around DJ equipment which made every gig a nightmare. • If there was one thing I was sure of, it was that I would take my stay at McLean to the grave. I deleted social media and swore I’d add this experience to my deep well of Scorpio secrets. • I smile looking back at these photos I took as an outpatient at McLean, which I never planned to share btw. Fighting my demons for 90 days in a row was the biggest challenge I’ve ever faced, but moving to Cambridge and going to McLean was the bravest, most badass, life-altering move I've ever taken for myself. It equipped me with the tools I needed to 180 my mind. • We’re constantly berated by stigma swelling images and messages against mental wellness. Aphorisms like "getting locked,” films like ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest,’ ‘Girl Interrupted’ ‘Requiem for a Dream’ and ‘The Joker’ wildly affected my perception of what it means to "get help” and the kinds of people who get it. • If you’re reading this, and struggling but can't find the time or worry you'll be judged for asking for help, it’s not too late and you are not too old. Consider this your sign to ask. Don’t wait 20 years like I did. And for anyone afraid to tell people you’re struggling - I was there too, until I realized what a wonderful weeding out system! Anyone who judges you for having a beautifully complex mind doesn’t deserve your greatness. • To the beautiful human beings I met there, who’s identities I will never share - I carry you with me every single day of my life." October 15, 2021
Caption Copy: "When I noticed that HAUS PLANTS completely changed my mental health, I started looking into the science behind the why 🧠 1- they lower levels of anxiety and help you feel more calm and relaxed. 2 - in a 2009 study, employees were more productive when a few houseplants were added to their workspace, and their memory and concentration improved by over 20 percent. 3 - Caring for plants can reduce physiological and psychological stress 4- plants have been shown to spark creativity. People are over 15 percent more creative when surrounded by greenery." October 10, 2021
Caption Copy: "Wednesday blessings 🙃" October 6, 2021
Caption Copy: "Wednesday blessings 🙃" October 6, 2021
Caption Copy: "The inimitable @CHRISELLELIM is this week’s episode of Driven Minds. There is so much in this episode - from a 5 year numbing depression, to an unfiltered discussion of the pros and cons of motherhood, to our mutual feelings of being an outsider in high school, such an experience to speak to Chriselle about it all. •" September 15, 2021
