We are all in the same boat trying to figure out the most streamlined route to the ideal work-life balance. Some wander through life and stumble upon this job or that, where others follow a fiery desire to climb up the pecking order. Whatever pace your work environment may be, and whatever the relative pressures and stresses, wellbeing is now firmly on the workplace radar.
Many people experience depression or mental health related illnesses that rattle their work-life balance – 1 in 10 in fact experience major depression in their lifetime. We can all feel isolated in a room full of people, be overwhelmed with an ever-growing to do list or feel like crawling up in a ball in the shadow of big decisions.
What we can all do a little more of is look out for one another and remember that it’s the little things in life that can make the biggest difference. The NEF (New Economics Foundation) have outlined 5 actions we can all take from to improve our wellbeing, and this week at Work.Life we will be encouraging everyone, colleagues and members, to keep them in mind!
So what REALLY matters?
Here it is… 5 actions to lead you to live that happy and healthy life you’ve been craving!
Connect
We all know the value of communication – lord knows we see the word pop up enough in job specs and managers’ meetings. But when it comes down to it, it’s often the support of others that help us through the murkier moments. Even the simple gesture of a genuine smile to start your day can leave you feeling refreshed and ready for action.
Be active
We’ve heard it all before – the ‘your body is a temple’ spiel, but how about choosing this week to make a change and schedule in a walk in the park or find some zen with a yoga class? Summer is officially on its way – so take advantage of a sunny day and grab a colleague for a spritely wander – and no, I don’t mean 20 feet down the road into the local pub!
Take notice… of the weird and wonderful world around us. Make a conscious decision to notice the small gestures others make that puts a smile on your face! It’s easy to chug along in autopilot; same stuffy tube, same ordinary desk, same old breakfast. Take time to reflect on what motivates you and makes you tick.
Keep learning
Feed your mind. You might think that we’re done with learning when we burst free of the school gates for the last time; but don’t be fooled, puberty may be over, but our brains are hungry little things that need regular nourishment to keep on growing. It could mean learning one new fun fact a day or sign up to that Saturday morning workshop you know will do you wonders even though the sofa is calling your name.
Give
It’s the small things in life that can often bring with them an abundance of joy. It’s easy to get carried away in the wondrous world of material goodies and forget to appreciate the significance of unconditional kindness. Make a mental note and consciously tick off your good deed of the day! Something as little as smiling at a stranger or helping someone with their suitcase off the tube really can make a difference.
At Work.Life this week we’ll be encouraging each other to jump on the wellbeing bandwagon and spread some positive vibes. It’s always easier to stay in our comfort zone but why not make to a commitment to customize this week throwing in some extra goodness to spruce it up?!
And finally a few pearls of wisdom from our Resilience guru member Dan Jackson from Foundation Performance…
“I think one of the most important skills of being human is slowly being lost to us – the ability to stop, be present and to take notice of what’s around us. Pausing to take notice of the smallest of things like a bird singing or a friend laughing can make the biggest difference. As Kurt Vonnegut once wrote, “Enjoy the little things in life for one day you’ll look back and realise they were the big things.”
This year the focus for Mental Health Awareness Week is stress. Have a read here to find out more.
