Team members on mental health
The Norwegian Institute of Public Health recommends five key strategies for supporting mental well-being, one of which is staying mentally present – a concept Grønvoll has embraced in his own way.
Across various professions in Norway, sick leave due to mental health issues has risen by 44% over the past five years, underscoring the importance of mental well-being. Cases of burnout and depression have nearly doubled, with more people in diverse fields missing work due to fatigue, anxiety, and migraines, according to NAV's reports on doctor-certified sick leave.
So, how does this relate to mental presence?
Marte Roa Syvertsen, a neuroscientist at Drammen Hospital, highlighted this in an interview with the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) in June, explaining that, “It's important for the brain to rest, but it never completely stops thinking. When we don’t feed the brain new input, it starts to reassemble our experiences in new ways. That’s how we come up with ideas, become more creative, and solve problems.”
“Even if you think you're relaxing by watching funny cat videos, your brain still has to process that too,” Syvertsen adds.
The key is to allow enough boredom for the brain to rest and be creative. Getting enough sleep, meditating, or spending time in nature are her top recommendations. Grønvoll has experienced this firsthand through silence and nature.
“Staying active is essential for me, and I especially enjoy being outdoors. During summers here in Norway, I love jogging or going on walks with my family, while winter is all about skiing,” he says.
When he’s alone, however, he chooses silence.
“I used to listen to podcasts or music, but now I prefer exercising without any noise. I notice the sounds of nature and my surroundings much more. My mind feels free. It’s a bit like a mental reset,” Grønvoll explains.
Seeking contrasts
Physical activity is also a cornerstone of Grønvoll’s health. He enjoys taking part in ski races, both in Norway and abroad, with Toblach-Cortina in Italy being a favorite. For him, contrasts and variety are key to keeping his workouts rewarding.
“I like attending group classes at the gym and training with others, but I also enjoy working out alone. The mix of intense and lighter sessions is important. I like the hard workouts, even though they might not be fun in the moment.”
When asked about what makes exercising fulfilling and helps with consistency, he points to well-being.
“The most important thing is that physical activity feels good. It should be something you enjoy, not something you do because others are doing it. If you're not training for a specific goal, all forms of exercise are valuable. It’s crucial to find what you like.”
Grønvoll suggests trying an activity twenty times to make it a habit.
“The biggest challenge is getting out there and getting your heart rate up. But once you do, the joy of exercise often follows. Look at Jenny Jensen from the Norwegian lifestyle show "16 Weeks of Hell"—she went from hating exercise to loving Zumba and becoming an instructor. That’s impressive."
Nurturing relationships
With three children and a full-time job, Grønvoll and his family lead a busy, active life. Yet, he prioritizes maintaining his social connections, even when time is tight.
“Friends are very important, but it’s easy to let that slide when you have young kids and life gets hectic. We’ve made an effort to keep up with social gatherings, even though the sofa can be tempting. These are relationships we want to carry into the future, and they bring joy and energy to our lives right now, too.”
At the same time, Grønvoll suggests that men may find it harder than women to keep up social connections as they get older.
“Women are often better at meeting up and talking in groups, but men might not be as good at maintaining networks as they get older. It’s important to have places to meet others outside of work, in a more informal setting. It’s a good investment for the rest of your life,” he concludes.
If you are interested in sharing your thoughts on mental health with the rest of the Omega 365 team and our readers, please feel free to reach out to: amalie.crowo@omega365.com.