Monday 15 October 2012

October is Healthy Workplace Month


Here is a list of activities that might inspire you to “Take Action” on your Mental Health in the Workplace this week: 

Pay a compliment to a colleague
A quick and easy way to brighten someone’s day and hopefully your own
Send an e-card.

Participate in a Sudoku Challenge

Play a game with coworkers

Manage your work stressors
Understanding your stressors and how to manage them helps you cope and be prepared for future stressors.

Get some natural light and/or fresh air
Sometimes a change of focus is as good as a break. Enjoy the scenery just for one minute per hour daily and reflect on the good things in life.

Have a proper lunch break
Relax over lunch, for even just a short time, for a more energized afternoon. 

Work on self-awareness
Take time to reflect on your intentions and actions.

No work at home week
Make this the week you don’t take work home. Enjoy time with family or friends instead. It may be  helpful to do an activity to transition from work to home such as taking a short walk, doing a crossword puzzle or listening to music before beginning your evening routine.

Talk it out
If you have a rough day, talk it out with family or friends. Talking can help you feel better and resolve problems.

Family Meal Night
Designate at least one night a week as Family Meal Night. No television, cell phones or distractions-just a nice meal and catching up with everyone’s busy lives.

No screen night
Declare one evening a week as “No Screen Night”. Turn of the tv, video games, computers, PDA’s and Ipods. Read a good book or go for a walk with a family member, friend or neighbor.

Family outing day

Board games night
Have a good ol’ fashioned board games night with family or friends

No PDA’s allowed
For one evening, turn off all PDA’s and cell phones from 6:00pm until the next morning

Meet a friend for supper

Girl’s/Boy’s night out

Writer a thank you letter
When is the last time you wrote a letter?? Take this time to send a letter of appreciation to someone who has been an important influence to you

Learn about Mental Health Issues

Shut off negative inner voices
Focus on the positives. Write a list of things that make you feel good and review them when you’re down. 

Access your accomplishments
Ask yourself , “what felt meaningful today?”. At the supper table maybe invite your family to share the best part about their day. 

Try something new
Try a new activity and see what happens!

Friendly photos
Keep loved ones close to you all day by taking a photo and posting it in your workspace. 

Any other activity you feel promotes your Mental Health 

Please remember that this is just a sample of activities you may want to try incorporating into your daily lives. If you already have activities you do, you’re way ahead of the game! And if you have other ideas of things you would like to try great! The hope is that starting in the month of October we will all participate in making a conscious effort to work towards creating a Healthy Workplace. This is something we want to continue with all year and hope it becomes a normal part of our workplace. 

Provided by: 
AHS

For more information, please visit the Healthy Workplace Month website.