Mental health is about more than mental illness
It’s more than being happy all the time. It’s about feeling good about who you are, having balance in your life, and managing life’s highs and lows. Everyone deserves to feel well, whatever their mental health experience. And we all need a support system to lean on.
A few small behaviors can make a real difference in a person’s ability to get back on track. Here are three ways to encourage employees to take care of themselves:
Practice true mindfulness:
Most people in a state of despair will say they’re incredibly aware of what’s going on around them but they’re only focusing on problems, challenges and other negative forces. Encourage employees to acknowledge the positive factors in their situations as well, and more often than not, they’ll find balance. A practice that will benefit anyone, mindfulness is an area where employers can launch programs with no concern about missing the mark.
Get enough sleep:
Those who truly believe they don’t require at least seven hours of quality sleep per night in order to function at the best of their ability are kidding themselves. Unfortunately, employees aren’t the only ones affected by that disillusion. It’s likely that co-workers, human resources staff, family members and friends all notice the times their poorly rested brains and bodies fail to perform.
Movement:
Whether through exercise, practical tasks or efforts of expression, movement creates an ideal environment for the brain and body to flourish. Physical exertion reduces stress and can combat the chemical reactions to depression in the body. Movement throughout the day keeps the body feeling engaged through improved circulation and muscle responses.
Those who can dedicate time to movement of some kind can also use it to sort through stressors. While they’re exerting effort in one area, another system can move to the forefront and provide clarity to a situation once clouded by emotion. If they can’t dedicate additional time to movement, they can try incorporating it throughout daily tasks to achieve the same results without adding further strain to work-life balance.
On campus resources:
May 16th – Proactive Mental Health and Mindfulness Webinar
EFAP
Mindfulness
Suggested Quiet Spots
Exercise
Morneau Shepell has launched a new microsite on mental health across generations. To learn more visit their page here
