Five Bright Stars For These Dark Times
This week my mental health got hit by a truck. Like “holy s**t, I’m not sure where to start to get outta this one,” kinda hit.
Maybe it’s the toll of the fifth week of managing working across three time zones. Or drinking morning tea when my close friends in the US are on happy hour glass two. And I’m pretty sure that trying to update the ABG website list of resources and support tools didn’t help my anxiety of not being able to “do enough.”
But through the angst and anxiety, there have been five bright stars I have looked for, to help keep me on track, and I hope they help, no matter where in the world this finds you:
1. Kat Kinsman
One of the top five people I want to have dinner when this is all over, is Kat Kinsman. Editor, author, mental health advocate, and all round super-human, I get by with a daily dose of Kat. Whether it’s her Twitter posts reminding me to unclench my jaw, or the Communal Table podcasts addressing delicate industry issues, or openly discussing her own mental health issues, Kat is my inspiration. Check out her The Food & Wine Pro Guide to Mental Health and Sobriety Resources , sign up to Food and Wine Pro, and if you’re reading this as a back of house professional, review her site “Chefs with Issues”.
2. SevenFiftyDaily Articles
The Editorial team over at SevenFiftyDaily continue to produce relevant, timely and pertinent articles and features for our drinks industry. This week’s Mental Health Guide for Beverage and Hospitality Professionals contains a wealth of mental health resources and is a useful addition to their COVID-19 News and Resources for Drinks Professionals. Updated weekly and industry Advice, Event updates and relief and activist efforts, it’s a great resource to keep handy. (Disclaimer: SFD awarded A Balanced Glass an “Innovator Award” in 2019)
3. Restaurant After Hours – Resources Page
Restaurant After Hours is one of many industry-focused non-profit organizations, but this site stars for its simplicity of navigation and real time updates. Resources are easy to find, approachable, and with useful and immediate links to phone numbers, websites and help. Kudos to Founder and CEO chef Zia Sheikh and his team.
4. Greater Good’s Guide to Well-Being During Coronavirus - Research
Founded and managed by the University of California, Berkeley, the Greater Good Science Center (GGSC) site featured features scientific research, findings, articles and tools on mindfulness and wellbeing. From articles on how to help teens shelter in place, to boosting resilience as a parent, and mindful breathing, it’s a welcome resource available from anywhere, at any time.
5. MindfulLeader.org - Gatherings
With the objective to create more compassionate workplaces, through Friday June 26th this organization is are offering “Meditate Together” – a free live and online group meditation 24 hours a day, Monday to Friday.
Offered through the Zoom platform, meditations are offered on the hour for 30 minutes on any weekday. Hosts are qualified meditation teachers, and it’s a welcome break from a harried day.
Finally, there are literally hundreds of articles, apps, programs, webinars, and tools being offered right now, and finding the ones to recommend feels like eating an elephant with a teaspoon. So if you’re reading this and want to help by contributing a resource you love, or your time to help compile resources for the community, we are all ears. Elephant ones at that.
Be well, and take care out there.
Namaste,
Beck
What We're Reading:
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic we are adding to the weekly reading and resources. Here's what has piqued our interest this week:
Covid-19 Hub: Consumer confidence crumbles; post-lockdown fears – Richard Siddle for the Buyer.net
A MUST read for anyone in Europe on the latest issues impacting the UK industry. You can also read Part I here: Covid-19 Hub Part 1: Drinks trade reaction to crisis & UK lockdown
2020 Was Going To Be The Year Of The Sober-Curious Movement. Now What? – Huffpost.com
Intentional drinking is in danger of falling by the wayside during the coronavirus pandemic, as alcohol becomes our go-to comfort.
Union is at the Heart of Yoga but What Does it Mean? Wellbeing.com.au
Exploring the pool of wisdom around union has the potential to open up a whole new way to experience your yoga and meditation practice and bring these unifying effects into daily life.
How to Manage Your Loneliness – The New York Times.com
You are far from alone in feeling alone and here are some ideas to help.
What Happens When We Lose Our Social Rituals? – GreaterGoodScienceCenter.com
Researchers weigh in on what rituals mean to us and how to cope when we can't gather for graduations, weddings, and funerals.
Meet the Community!
Our community is only as strong as the company we keep, and here we meet some of the folks who make our profession so dynamic.
Tonya Pitts, Wine Director/Sommelier, One Market Restaurant, San Francisco (USA)
Years in the Industry:
I have been in the restaurant industry for over 30 years and a Sommelier for well over 20 years. Most of my food and beverage experience has been in San Francisco. My first role was with Chef Judy Rodgers and Wine Director Sylvie Laly at Zuni Café, and as a server with Chef Jeremiah Tower at Stars Restaurant. I’ve had the good fortune of working for both Chefs at the same time. It was at Star’s Café that I met and worked for Chef Loretta Keller, so when Chef Keller opened her own restaurant, I followed. At the urging of Chef Keller and Sylvie Laly, I realized I had a great affinity for wine and after three years, I was running the wine program for Chef Loretta Keller at Bizou Restaurant. It was with Chef Loretta Keller that I realized my true passion for wine and the possibility of a career for myself as a woman in the wine industry.
There have been so many mentors that have helped me along the way. This is why I have always encouraged anyone interested in a career in Hospitality, Food and Beverage. We need to encourage especially, People of Color and women, because they need to know that anything is possible. I have been at my current restaurant for thirteen years. In these thirty plus years, I have been a host, server, AGM, GM, Beverage Manager, Sommelier and a Wine Director. When I am not working, I am judging for wine competitions, tasting panels and speaking about women in wine. It has become my passion project.
My Biggest Challenge To Wellness:
My biggest challenge has always been taking time for myself regularly. In a perfect world, I start my day meditating, depending on my work load and I usually walk in the mornings for 90 minutes around Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park and the Emeryville Marina. I love the Marina walk because of the water and the salt water smell. During this quarantine, I realized how many miles I walk on the floor; it was great exercise and I am trying to remember to drink more water.
How I Keep It Together To Stay Well:
I love to juice and also buy juice via my membership from Pressed Juice. I drink mostly green drinks - fresh celery juice that I make in the morning and the multi greens (Spinach, Kale, Celery) from Press. I take the turmeric, orange and ginger juice for inflammation and like to do charcoal and lemon juice cleanses once a month as it helps with my gut health.
My esthetician offers wellness services so twice a month I schedule a facial for myself. The goal is to use some of the scheduled time for a Cranial Sacral massage or a session on the Bio Mat. I have found that the Bio Mat is quite useful for me. I can take a nap, rest and feel refreshed and renewed. I combine this with Sound Baths, affirmations, music and meditations. The new element that I have added to my self -care journey is writing more frequently in my journal.
Currently, these small practices are keeping me centered and uplifted. Now, if I could just get more long meditative walks around water with open sky and foliage. That’s my new action item.
You can connect with Tonya on Instagram at @noirsommelier and on Twitter @noirsommelier
