19 March2022leaders and managers to rise up to the occasion and make sure that their team members are doing well emotionally, not just physically. Providing mental health day-offs, 24x7 counselling access for all levels and conducting regular employee wellness surveys are just some ways to let employees know that their team is there for them.We can all - at our own individual levels - take steps to improve our mental health and build our resilience. Think of yourself as a pressure cooker, the external environment is the flame. If the cooker is allowed to vent its steam, it works well. If it can't vent, the pressure continues to build within the cooker until the lid blows off. If you are under stress and try to keep it all in, it won't be long before you reach your emotional breaking point. This is why psychologists and researchers agree on how important it is to talk about our feelings. Research also suggests that putting your feelings into words -- a process called 'affect labelling' -- can help manage negative emotional experiences. This is how, over time, you can become less stressed over something that bothers you. Regular exercise is another way to 'vent out' the stress that is building up inside you. It releases endorphins in the brain which help relieve stress and boost your overall mood. Exercise can also treat mild to moderate depression. A study was done by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that running for 15 minutes a day or walking for an hour reduces the risk of major depression by 26 percent.Now, you can also increase the capacity of the pressure cooker which will help you in the long run. How? By practicing mindfulness. Mindfulness comes in many forms: meditation, self-affirmations, breathing techniques, and journaling, to name a few. These practices are helpful in shaping a more positive mindset. Mindfulness and meditation are excellent ways to destress and improve focus.You don't constantly have to be on a flame either. Try to take tiny breaks from time to time. A change of scene or pace is good for your mental health. It could be a five-minute stretch in between work, a half-hour lunch break with your friends, or a weekend getaway. Don't shy away from taking some time off for yourself. You deserve it.Most importantly, remember to ask for help. None of us are superhuman. We all sometimes get tired or overwhelmed by how we feel or when things don't go according to plan. If you feel distressed, be open to therapy. Your employer may even have an employee assistance program in place just for that. Make use of these services as they are confidential and can be accessed for free.It is completely okay to break down sometimes but don't let your ego get in the way of you getting better. We are all human after all. Humans are vulnerable and being vulnerable isn't a sign of weakness. Reach out, seek help, because you are strong.
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