Mental Health Awareness Month with DEI
Let’s be honest: this industry is not for the light-of-heart. While it is one of the most rewarding industries we can find ourselves in, it would be ignorant to think that it comes with an easy job. No matter what position or department you find yourself in, housing is demanding! With this said, it is extremely important that we show up for ourselves, and in the best capacity of ourselves. It is understandably easy to get caught up in constantly caring for others when you are in a support department, or when you are working one-on-one with residents and their needs daily. However, we can’t be our best for others if we aren’t the best for ourselves, and this is applicable to our personal lives and our careers alike.
As we may all be aware, May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so we wanted to take this time to not only address the importance of self-care, but to also discuss ways we can practice habits of good mental health in and out of the workplace. We have partnered with the DEI Council to review three pillars of mental health, and to provide ways we can elevate our mental health journeys not only this month, but the months following as well. Each week this month, we will be dedicating time to dive into each pillar.
To preface this conversation, it is important to understand that while we may be touching on a variety of ways to take care of your mental health, every person is different. Your self-care habits are unique to you, and are best judged by you. We hope that these recommendations not only give you an opportunity to explore your mental health and what works best for you, but also that it encourages you to research even beyond these posts. We will be attaching links to various articles that can start your journey into practicing self-care habits that work for you!
Without further ado, here are the three pillars of mental health we will explore this month!
Sleep
It isn’t a secret that the foundation of each and every day consists of a good night’s rest. Studies have shown that at least 8 hours of sleep each night improves your mood, health, and brain performance. It is no wonder that sleep is one of three pillars of mental health!
Given that sleep can help brain performance, a good night’s rest is essential when it comes to your career and personal life alike. A bendy brain is key to your productivity and your stress management skills. When you feel mentally on top of the world, you are more likely to feel the weight of the world off your shoulders.
Physical Activity
Whether it’s a nice run, a walk through the park, or stretching before bed, physical activity is one way to make you feel amazing inside and out. Physical activity is proven to release endorphins that bring happiness, relaxation, and contempt. “Runner’s high” is a real thing!
Physical activity of any kind is known to reduce anxiety, depression, and negativity as a whole. Nothing strenuous is required, just getting up and moving around can make all the difference in your day. The Preiss Company even has benefits linked to physical activities that you can gain from.
Nutrition
You know what they say – you are what you eat! Putting healthy foods into your body is a simple way to improve your mental health. Studies have shown that healthy foods help clear your mind and prevent mood fluctuations on a day-to-day basis. Not to mention, eating a well-balanced diet can give you the energy to be productive in your job and personal life. Whether you share a healthy recipe or try cooking at home for yourself, there are plenty of ways to eat healthy and stay healthy.
Once again, we are pumped to kick off Mental Health Awareness Month, and to dive deeper into the benefits of improving our self-care habits. Be on the lookout for each pillar in the weeks to come!
