Mental Health Intention?

In a world where “business” has been equated to success, where we are taught to value the external over the internal, and where mental health issues are at an all-time high, perhaps it time to become intentional about mental health! 

Mental health is a part of Workplace Wellness and includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It determines how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. It encompasses every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. And each year, serious mental illness costs Americans $193 billion in lost earnings, - May American Journal of Psychiatry. 

Mindfulness is one of the fastest ways to address mental health. It should become intentional in every part of your life. It is about what you want in life, what really matters and making day to day decisions based on the larger picture of what you truly want. It means making conscious choices and taking aligned action that helps you to get closer to where you want to be and how you want to show up each day. It’s about defining what you want your life to look like and having a plan to move you towards it.

Some steps to better mental health:

Connecting – happier and healthier relationships can:

·       allow you to build a sense of belonging and self-worth

·       give you an opportunity to share positive experiences

·       provide emotional support and allow you to support others

Be physically active:

·       Raises self-esteem

·       Set goals or challenges and achieve them

·       Enjoy chemical changes in your brain which can help to positively change your mood

Learn new skills:

·       boosts self-confidence and raises self-esteem 

·       builds a sense of purpose

·       Especially when you connect with others

Giving to others - acts of giving and kindness:

·       Creates positive feelings and a sense of reward

·       Gives you a feeling of purpose and self-worth

·       Connecting and helping other people by volunteering in your local community

Creating boundaries and aligning with your values

·      Decisions based on who you are at the core

·      Feeling more confident

·      Being aware of how you speak and respond to others

Mindfulness – being more aware and in the present moment, 

·      Includes your thoughts and feelings

·      Entails your body, and the world around you. 

 Find out how you or your organizations can be more intentional about mental health.