stress

2 Big Ways to Relieve Stress for Body and Mind

JCheang — Sat, 12 May 2018 04:00:00 +0000

2 Big Ways to Relieve Stress for Body and Mind JCheang Sat, 05/12/2018 - 00:00

By Cynthia Germanotta, Born This Way Foundation President + Co-Founder and Colleen Werner, ChannelKindness.org Reporter

In today’s fast-paced, overworked, hectic society, stress seems almost inescapable. And while stress obviously impacts mental health, according to the American Psychological Association, it also has the potential to affect nearly every system of the body.

So in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month and #StressFreeSaturday, here are two of our favorite ways to reduce stress:

One: Dance! (Or the physical activity of your choice)

We’re dancers.

Growing up, we both participated in numerous ballet classes, performed in recitals, and made countless friends along the way. Dance has played a significant role in our lives - as a way to have fun, as an opportunity to express ourselves, as a mechanism to find community, and - perhaps most importantly - as an outlet to relieve stress.

While we happen to love dance, we know that physical movement of many varieties can be great tools to manage stress and mental wellness generally. Activities like dancing (and running and yoga and swimming and walking and…) can help you clear your head, release negative emotions you may be feeling, become confident in your own skin, and connect with others.

For examples, studies have proven that dance improves one's mental health. In one study, Swedish researchers divided 112 teenage girls who were struggling with physical and mental health problems into two groups - one of which took dance classes twice a week for eight months, while the other group served as the control. The girls who took the dance classes reported a boost in their mood, stress level, and other positive effects.

Two: Be kind!

As much as we love dance, our other favorite way to reduce stress is through kindness.

When we say we love kindness, we mean it. One of us co-founded an organization focused on fostering kinder communities, and one of us is a Channel Kindness Reporter, dedicated to finding and spotlighting acts of kindness.

We love it not just because it’s the right thing to do for other people, but because it’s the right thing to do for yourself.

One of the most crucial things we’ve learned in our journeys to reduce stress in our own lives is that while we are all individuals, we are constantly surrounded by others. As a result, helping reduce stress for others can have a positive impact on our individual mental health and the wellness of communities as a whole.

Carrying out small acts of kindness for others may make all the difference. Whether it’s helping an elderly neighbor run an errand, or letting a friend vent about what’s on their mind, there are many simple things we can do that can help cut down on someone else’s stress load. In turn, doing what we can to help create a kinder world can be an incredibly gratifying way to reduce stress for ourselves and for others.

So the next time that you find yourself overloaded with stress, try one of these strategies! Go for a run, take a long walk, or break out your best dance moves. Then try doing something for someone else - buy a cup of coffee for the person behind you in line, leave a positive note on a table for someone to find, or even just smile at someone as you walk down the street. The smallest actions can make the biggest impact.

You’ll feel better, and so will someone else.

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Engaged Employees are Experiencing Burnout

JCheang — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 14:18:43 +0000

Engaged Employees are Experiencing Burnout JCheang Fri, 03/09/2018 - 09:18

By Michele Hellebuyck, MHA Program Manager

Can too much engagement affect job performance?

Findings from a recent study conducted by Yale’s Center for Emotional Intelligence, in collaboration with the Faas Foundation, found that employers are overlooking the health of their most valued employees.

Almost 1 of 5 of employees in the study were “highly engaged” but were experiencing exhaustion. A third of employees were moderately engaged and exhausted. Despite feeling dedicated to their work, these individuals experienced frustration, stress, and indifference. They also consider leaving their workplace.

For employers, this data is alarming. It shows that they are at risk of losing some of their most skilled and hardworking employees. The study also highlights the need to look at how work demands and office resources impact engagement. Fifty percent of employees who profiled as completely “engaged” worked at jobs with high resources (supervisor support, reward and recognition, and self-efficacy), and low demands (workload, bureaucracy), while 84 perecent of “burned-out” employees worked in low resource, low demand jobs.

In MHA’s 2017 Mind the Workplace report, we found that employees in healthy workplaces were significantly more likely to feel like they were recognized and rewarded for performing their job well, received the support of their supervisors, and were not hindered by trivial activities. As a result, employees experienced lower levels of workplace stress, held more positive views about their workplaces and had less of a desire to leave their jobs. In other words, having recognition and supervisor support helped to buffer against workplace stress and burnout.

Employers can increase engagement by providing employees with encouragement and support. To ensure that engagement does not lead to exhaustion, workers should have adequate tools and the independence to do their job without disrupting workflow. When resources are lacking and/or demand is too high employees will experience higher levels of stress and decreased productivity. Improving workplace health by increasing support and employee capacity can improve work culture, engagement, productivity, and ultimately innovation.

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Is Happiness the Secret to a Longer Life for Seniors?

JCheang — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 14:51:00 +0000

Is Happiness the Secret to a Longer Life for Seniors? JCheang Wed, 02/14/2018 - 09:51

By Nancy Kupka PhD, RN, Walgreens

Physician and philosopher Dr. Albert Schweitzer once said, “Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory.”

Even if you don’t believe that bad memory contributes to happiness, most people would agree that good health might lead to happiness.

But does happiness lead to good health? Actually, yes.

Positive emotions are linked to better self-reported wellbeing in numerous scientific studies. Similarly, worry, anger and general unhappiness increase the risk of developing or worsening heart disease, arthritis and many other chronic health conditions.

How Happiness Affects Longevity

Happy people don't just enjoy life, they increase their chances of living longer.

Recently, researchers looked at happiness data for people in the U.S. over a six-year period. The participants were divided into three groups: people who reported that they were “very happy,” “pretty happy” or “not happy.”

The risk of death was lowest in the “very happy” group.

Specifically, when compared to the “very happy” group, the risk of death was six percent higher among those who were “pretty happy” and 14 percent higher among those who were “not happy.” These results were seen even after taking into account demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle-related factors.

Fortunately, researchers have found that unhappiness does not necessarily contribute to an early or unexpected death. But happiness sure makes the time you have easier and more enjoyable.

Tips for Finding Happiness in Everyday Life

So, what can you do to improve your happiness? Check out these tips that you can incorporate into your lifestyle for a better chance of happiness and good health:

Form meaningful relationships with relatives, friends and acquaintances. Studies show that even taking care of a beloved pet can help.
Get involved in social activities, including those that are worship-related. Try going on regular social outings, join a weekly exercise or art class or sign up for bridge club.
Appreciate the simple pleasures, such as a keeping to a regular schedule, taking a walk in the park or spending time with a friend.
Learn not to sweat small stressors. Try to look at the bigger picture and spend your energy on what really matters to you. When you feel stressed, try using mindfulness, meditation, exercise or any other stress-release techniques that work for you.
Do something to help others. Altruism, which is believing in or showing sincere concern for the wellbeing of others, can be beneficial for all of those involved. Volunteer at a local shelter or check in regularly with a neighbor who lives alone.
Find value in your work. Whether it is your career, your hobbies or volunteer opportunities, it can help to look at your strengths in your everyday activities.

So, if you want to improve your sense of happiness as well as your sense of wellbeing, there are many things you can do. Call a friend you haven’t talked to in a while and make plans to get together. Get involved in altruistic activities like a religious group or volunteer group. Or literally stop to smell the roses and enjoy the simple pleasures of life every day.

Nancy Kupka PhD, RN is an experienced caregiver who has seen the difference that happiness can make in the lives of seniors. Nancy currently serves as Manager of Clinical Programs and Quality for Walgreens, where you can find affordable home health products like lift chairs to aid in senior mobility and independence.

Although it is intended to be accurate, neither Walgreen Co., its subsidiaries or affiliates, nor any other party assumes for loss or damage due to reliance on this material. Walgreens does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned in the article. Reliance on any information provided by this article is solely at your own risk.

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Seniors who are happy are

Seniors who are happy are tend to be more healthy than those who are depressed or prone to several diseases. These are amazing tips. I hope many seniors can try to stay happy by reading this blog. Seniors should do something small, but do it consistently which can make them happy and cheerful in the golden years.

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Manufacturing, Retail, and Food and Beverage Industries Rank Worst for Workplace Mental Health

JCheang — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 14:33:25 +0000

Manufacturing, Retail, and Food and Beverage Industries Rank Worst for Workplace Mental Health JCheang Wed, 10/11/2017 - 10:33

By Jennifer Cheang, MHA National Digital Marketing Manager

Back in July 2017, a CEO’s response to an employee taking a mental health day went viral. The CEO thanked his employee for giving him a “reminder of the importance of using sick days for mental health” and he “couldn’t believe this is not standard practice at all organizations.”

And it really isn’t standard practice.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Depression and anxiety is estimated to cost the global economy approximate $1 trillion per year. Research shows that the United States (US) alone loses $450-500 billion in lost productivity. In fact, left untreated, workplace stress contributes to at least 120,000 deaths in the US each year.

With support from the Faas Foundation, Mental Health America (MHA) embarked on a two-year research project on workplace mental health with the launch of the Work Health Survey in 2015. MHA analyzed over 17,000 employee surveys across 19 industries in the United States and published the first-ever 2017 Workplace Wellness Report: Mind the Workplace.

The Work Health Survey collected data on workplace culture, stress, employee engagement, and employee benefits to measure workplace stress levels and overall mental health.

Overall, only a quarter of all employees surveyed felt they were paid what they deserved and nearly half felt that skilled employees were not given recognition. Despondent employees also reported high rates of absenteeism, work-family conflict, and increased mental health and behavioral health problems, with a third of employees reporting that they engaged in risky behaviors such as substance abuse due to workplace stress. Seven out of ten employees surveyed stated that they were thinking about and/or actively looking for a new job.

So, who came out on top when it comes to workplace mental health? And where can there be improvements?

The workplace industries scoring in the top 10% in the national survey were:

Healthcare
Financial Services
Non-profit

The workplace industries scoring in the bottom 10% were:

Manufacturing
Retail
Food and Beverage

More than half of employees across all three of the unhealthiest workplace industries felt unappreciated and were often looking for new jobs. They also reported that their personal relationships were hurt by workplace stress.

But what makes a healthy working environment, for both body and mind?

No, it’s not bean bag chairs, ping-pong tables, or an open office space.

Though workplace perks have a great influence on job satisfaction, it was workplace culture that survey respondents reacted positively to. Perks result in more positive attitudes and reception amongst employees, which in turn increases engagement and productivity.

In fact, some of the best solutions are free: staff recognition and praise mattered more to survey respondents than compensation.

Here are the top 5 reasons employees cited as why they enjoy their workplace:

Relationship with co-workers
Contribution of work to organization’s business goals
Meaningfulness of the job
Opportunities to use skills/abilities
Relationship with immediate supervisor

It all comes down to treating employees like they’re human beings worthy of respect. Trust in the work that they’re doing and provide them validation that they are contributing to your overall mission.

Feeling valued and having an open communication channel between employees have proved to be the greatest improvements that companies and organizations can make to keep their best talent.

Take it from an organization who went from a seven-figure loss to an industry leader by putting its employees first. (Spoiler alert: It’s us).

MHA hopes to work across industries to provide better workplace environments that care for the mental health of its employees.

There’s a lot of progress to be made if the US is to change our culture of placing work above well-being, but MHA is ready to collaborate with industry leaders to provide better mental health for all Americans.

To read the full report online, click here.

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I enjoy my work with

I enjoy my work with individuals who have major mental illnesses fir all the reasons stated above.

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We Hear You...

AParedes — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 16:57:58 +0000

We Hear You... AParedes Thu, 11/10/2016 - 11:57

By: America Paredes, Senior Director of Partnerships and Community Outreach

The last 48 hours have been shocking for many, to say the least. Many of you are fearful of what comes next. We understand. We hear you.

In light of the election results, many individuals have reached out to us and shared their concern, anxiety, and despair about the impact that the next four years and beyond may have on the lives of individuals that are part of any community that is deemed as “other.”

We recognize that these feelings are natural reactions, as similar and valid, as feelings that can arise when having experienced a sudden, dramatic change in one’s life. Still, after similar events across our communities, we always seem to stand back up again and work together to move forward.

Our founder, Clifford W. Beers, wrote in 1903 about the need to work together to address the inequities that existed for individuals living with a mental illness and he put forth the need for action by embracing the call to Fight in the Open to create change.

Our work, and that of our affiliates, has and continues to be guided by the efforts began by Clifford Beers and we will continue to work with the current and incoming administration to move the conversation and legislation forward.

For us, nothing changes. We continue to focus on prevention, early identification and intervention, integration of health, behavioral health and other services, with recovery as the goal. We’re all about acting B4Stage4, and we believe that there remain strong majorities in Congress to help achieve that goal.

We realize that the vastness of issues that are present and can be denied in the future, can be quite overwhelming to consider, but we will continue to take them all on, working hard to ensure that early intervention, prevention, and adequate mental health care are available to all.

Today and in the future, we ask that you empathize and support one another, ensuring that those who may feel ostracized or abandoned know that they are not alone. Support is critical in moving forward. The mental health impacts of the current season as well are often substantial and may be overwhelming for some and we ask that you look out for one another. Talk about your feelings and seek help if needed.

Reach out to our local affiliates and get involved in your community. Support our efforts as we continue to move forward in working across systems to ensure that the mental health of all individuals is addressed adequately and effectively #B4Stage4.

Finally, if you or someone you know needs to talk with someone, they can always reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or Crisis Text Line by sending the letters MHA via text to 741-741. Both services are free and available 24/7.

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new meetup group for election survivors

A meetup group (kind of like a support group, in this case) was recently created for people who are suffering from mental health issues due to the election. This should come in as a handy reference for your members. Please share. https://www.meetup.com/Election-Survivors/