What are you doing to mark World Mental Health Day today?
Keep an eye out for #SpareAThought on Twitter, as we encourage our people to take a moment for themselves and spare a thought for their own mental wellbeing.
Taking care of our mental health is exactly like keeping on top of our physical health; we maintain it ourselves in order to prevent our health deteriorating. Just because we're not showing signs of poor mental health, it doesn't mean we shouldn't take steps for the good of our wellbeing.
Gethin Nadin, director, global partnerships says: "You wouldn't approach someone in the gym and question why they're there. They could be trying to improve their physical health, increase their strength, reach a physical goal, or just maintain their day-to-day wellbeing. The same goes for mental health; we don't have to be suffering with a mental illness to take action."
"Keeping on top of our mental health is key - whether that's through mindfulness practise, exercise like yoga and pilates, or even something as simple as making sure we take a lunch break away from our desks - we can take steps now to prevent poor mental health further down the line. We're happy to be raising awareness on World Mental Health Day - particularly in the workplace - about how it's ok to not be ok."
Chief people officer, Kathryn Kendall, says: "For too long there has been a stigma surrounding mental health. Organisations everywhere need to actively work to break down the barriers and encourage employees to talk openly about their mental health."
"Here at Benefex I am proud we have so many employees who have felt able to step forward and ask for support with mental health challenges they are facing. We will continue to look to do more to encourage these behaviours and stop mental health from being the unspoken workplace taboo."
So, at Benefex, as well as having open discussions about mental health, we'll also be bringing mindfulness practise to the office, including:
- Animal therapy. Animals (specifically dogs) offer non-judgemental support. Plus, they've been shown to reduce blood pressure, lower the risk of heart disease, improve communications - the list goes on!
- Gym classes. Exercise promotes changes in the brain including neural growth, reduced inflammation, and patterns that promote calm and wellbeing. It also releases endorphins, and is great for self-esteem.
- Colouring in. Activities like colouring in focus our minds on the calm, and it can reduce our stress through rest and relaxation.
- Healthy food. Feelings of wellbeing can be promoted by ensuring that our diet provides adequate amounts of complex carbohydrates, essential fats, amino acids, vitamins and minerals, and water.
- Massage. One of the chemicals in the body widely responsible for stress - cortisol - has been shown to be reduced by up to 53% following a massage. It is also reported to have an impact on dopamine and serotonin levels.
Keep an eye on #WorldMentalHealthDay on Twitter for information on how you can help your employees treat or maintain their mental health.
As the then US surgeon general David Satcher once said: "There is no health without mental health."
This article was provided by Benefex.
In partnership with Benefex
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