Darryl Anderson, MBA, Executive Director, Mercy Ships Canada, shares with us the life lessons he gained from a sever car accident in his early twenties which made him to consider the concept of wellness from a much broader perspective than physical health.
When it comes to maritime industry, he encourages organizations to focus on a holistic approach around wellness that acknowledges health and performance are inherently linked and anticipates more emphasis on the value of mental health and psychological well-being.
SAFETY4SEA: What does ‘wellness’ mean to you? What do you do in your everyday life to embrace wellness?
Darryl Anderson: While the dictionary definition of wellness suggests a “state of being in good health, the term wellness for me also has a spiritual dimension that incorporates the concepts embedded in the Hebrew word “Shalom,” which means completeness, soundness, welfare, and peace. Everyday practices include being mindful, expressing gratitude, praying, and walking in nature.
S4S: What are the two things to do that can make you feel happy after a challenging day?
D.A.: Walking in nature, preferably near the ocean. I listen to jazz, blues, rock, folk, roots and African American gospel music.
S4S: What is the most worthwhile well-being investment (in energy, time, money) you’ve ever made?
D.A.: While recovering from a severe car accident in my early twenties, I learned how to want to read and read widely. Being dyslexic meant reading was difficult; therefore, before my accident, I did not read for pleasure. I preferred sports and engaging in physical activities. But when physical activities were taken away for a considerable period, I had to learn to embrace change and loss. Learning to deal with physical pain and injury in young adulthood led me to consider the concept of wellness from a much broader perspective than physical health. Reading widely taught me the importance of outlook, attitude, and resiliency. However, I don’t want to downplay the importance of physical health because it is such an essential foundation for personal wellness.
S4S: What do you do to keep a balance between your personal and business life?
D.A.: I don’t try to achieve balance. Instead, I focus on the important relationships and my energy levels, set boundaries, and establish a regular sleep schedule.
S4S: What would you like to change in the current maritime landscape regarding well-being?
D.A.: To see the humanity in all individuals and all situations so that as new technology is applied and adopted in the maritime sector, seafarers’ mental health and psychological well-being are not afterthoughts but placed at the forefront of decision-making.
S4S: What wellness-promoting initiatives would you like to see in the workplace?
D.A.: Change the emphasis from promoting initiatives to implementing a holistic approach to organizational development that recognizes that health and performance are inherently linked. I am presently learning how to apply the insights from the books entitled “Beyond Performance by Keller and Price and “Compassionate Leadership” by Hougaard and Carter.
S4S: What is the one thing you are feeling grateful for now?
D.A.: The privilege of leading Mercy Ships Canada and serving alongside my board, staff, international colleagues, and the volunteer crew of the organization’s hospital ships to bring free surgical care to people in low-resource settings in Africa.
S4S: What are your hobbies/favourite activities?
D.A.: Our family is part of a youth agricultural program called 4H, and we are involved with a sheep hobby farm. Being part of a Christian faith-based community that meets together in one another’s homes for worship, teaching and shared participation in community life.
The views presented hereabove are only those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.
