Mental Health Minute: November 2024

NOVEMBER 2024 MENTAL HEALTH MINUTE Mental Health Minute Practicing Gratitude Prioritizing Your Emotional In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get Well-being During the caught up in stress and negativity. However, practicing gratitude can be a powerful tool to Holidays improve mental health. Gratitude involves While the holiday season and end-of-year parties can recognizing and appreciating life’s positive be full of festive fun, they can also be stressful and aspects, which can reduce stress, anxiety and take a toll on your emotional well-being. Putting depression. By focusing on what you have rather your emotional wellness on the backburner may than what you lack, gratitude helps shift your cause mood changes and feelings of irritability, mindset to a more positive and resilient state. hopelessness and isolation. Consider the following Gratitude encourages you to savor the present tips to prioritize your emotional well-being as moment and acknowledge the good in your life, holiday celebrations pick up: no matter how small. This positive focus can lead • Practice healthy habits. Maintaining a consistent to a more optimistic outlook, better coping skills sleep schedule and eating a balanced diet will and stronger relationships. Consider the help ensure you have enough physical and mental following gratitude tips: energy to tackle responsibilities and challenges. • Keep a gratitude journal. Each day, write • Stick to a routine. It’s important to keep a daily down three things you’re grateful for and schedule for work and personal time. Checking reflect on why they’re meaningful to you. items off your to-do list can also help you feel • Express thanks. send a quick text or write a accomplished. note to someone you appreciate. • Decrease caffeine and alcohol use. Although • Embrace mindful moments. Pause to alcohol and caffeine often appear at celebrations, appreciate the beauty or the good around these substances can provoke feelings of you, such as a sunny day or a kind gesture. It depression, anxiety and other mental health can be as simple as taking a few deep breaths challenges. and focusing on what you’re thankful for in • Maintain your boundaries. Your calendar may that moment. quickly fill up with work, personal and social • Try meditation. Focus on the things you’re events. Get comfortable saying “no” and reducing grateful for and visualize the positive aspects extra activities or tasks so you aren’t overloaded. of your life. • Incorporate positive activities. Get into the • Take a walk. Go for a walk and consciously habit of caring for yourself and doing activities notice things you’re grateful for in your that make you happy. During a fast-paced month, surroundings. Then, reflect on these it’s vital to slow down and prioritize self-care. observations and how they enhance your life. 401 Pennsylvania Pkwy, Suite 200 Office: Indianapolis, IN 46280 Population Health: LHDbenefits.com [email protected]