By April Monroe
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May 16, 2023
May is Mental Health Awareness month. But really, we should be aware of our mental state every single day. The stats of workplace misery are astounding. But if we could implement a few things each day, we could change our outlook, our day, and essentially our futures. As mental health in America has become more talked about, it has made it possible (and safer) for many to begin their mental health and wellness journey. No matter what path your life has been on, whether you are devout in your faith, or a CEO of a company, no one is above needing counsel at times. The sooner we accept this, the sooner we can normalize getting the help we need. Then, for some of us, we can alter our generational inevitabilities. A 2021 Mental Health At Work Report by Mind Share Partners reported that 76% of employees surveyed claimed having one or more symptoms of a mental health condition. Sadly, a lot of workplaces do not prioritize and promote mental wellness within the workplace. In addition, the most common responses to why people are unhappy in their jobs are: - Little or no recognition - Little or no praise - Little or no respect - Minimal potential for growth - Minimal potential for teamwork There are a lot of unhealthy environments in the workforce, BUT the good news is, we can control some of that on our own and some of that begins as soon as we open our eyes in the morning. Here are a few suggestions for implementing mindfulness into, and throughout, our day… Start your day with intention… Most of us roll over and pick up our phones off the nightstand, turn off our alarms, and head to the news app, or a social media platform. This has shown to be an unhealthy start to the day, overstimulating our brains and setting it up for a day of distraction. What if, instead, we set the alarm for a few minutes sooner and, after we turn off those alarms, we set the phones back down and took some extra time to meditate, eat breakfast, and slow the morning down? Intentionality takes practice, but beginning our days as mindful as possible will surely change the rest of the day. Pack some healthy snacks… When that notorious time of the day comes around and you need a snack, instead of going to the vending machine, take some trail mix, fruit or pop some popcorn. This usually comes a couple hours after lunch, when our bodies are naturally trying to shut down. Grab a snack, boost your mood, and avoid those afternoon crashes. Take a walk… Studies show that even a 10 minute walk each day reduces stress, increases blood flow, thus reducing your risk for heart disease, lowers blood pressure and promotes better sleep. During lunch or break time, why not take a few minutes and go outside for a walk? If you need to talk to a coworker, take them with you. Invite them on the walk. Chances are it will be more productive. Lastly, wind down your day earlier… We are all really good at staying busy until we pass out at bedtime. And if we aren’t staying physically busy, we are keeping our minds busy, which is just as bad, if not worse. Keeping our eyes on screens right up until sleep can prevent a full and restful night's sleep. What if you started winding down a little sooner by setting some boundaries on your phone? Most phones will allow screen time to be regulated. And instead of watching that violent action movie at 9pm, maybe try something lighter, or turn off the tv altogether. It’s also a good idea to avoid eating late dinners, though sometimes uncontrollable. But when you can control it, do it. These are just a few of many other ways we can be mindful on our own. If you work for a company who allows you some freedom, you may be able to start in small ways incorporating some wellness practices for your coworkers. Maybe a mindful moment of the day, or a walk journal. Remember, it's impossible to be your best for others if you aren’t your best for yourself. Like the oxygen masks on airplanes, you can’t help anyone else if you can’t breathe. If you are having suicidal thoughts, or ideations, PLEASE talk to someone. Call or text 988. Or visit 988lifeline.org.