When I grew up, mental health was not discussed. Not at home, at school, in the workplace, and certainly not in the media. Death by suicide was an “hush-hush” topic, and often we were told to “toughen up” or “rub some dirt on it.” I am a Gen-X’er. Sound familiar to you fellow Gen-Xers? I am going to make the assumption that generations that are older than Gen X grew up with similar or even more pronounced avoidance of all things mental health.
By now, you have probably heard that September is suicide prevention month. Even in the Cowboy State of Wyoming, where we have a rough and tumble cowboy culture, it is still suicide prevention month, and finally, we are talking about mental health.
Business leaders are talking about the importance of mental health in the workplace at their annual conferences. Elected officials are dedicating resources and time to develop programs across the state and in our local communities. Even the world’s largest outdoor rodeo has embarked on a powerful campaign that encourages people to “reach out to a Pick Up Man or be a Pick Up Man for someone in need.” (If you know rodeo, you get it.)
“We have entire communities that are working to help their citizens respond to the challenges of our times with focus, compassion and resilience by incorporating mindfulness into everyday routines and citizens who are willing to tell their story.”
I have had the privilege of being involved with many of these initiatives and this is what I will tell you – it’s real – it impacts each and every one of us – and we are only just getting started. Here are some links to the initiatives I referenced:
- Mental Wellness in the Workplace Symposium 2022 – Wyoming Business Alliance
- Wyoming 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Cheyenne Frontier Days Pick Up Man Initiative
- Governor Gordon’s Mental Health Summit
- Becoming Jackson Whole
- A State of Mind – Confronting Our Mental Health Crisis – Wyoming PBS
Fall into Self Care
Fall is the perfect time of year to press ctrl+alt+delete and reset your routines around self-care. I’m definitely showing my age here – I’m pretty sure my kids don’t even know what that is. But I digress. Often, summer is a crazy time of year where we enjoy all the things – food & drink, relatives/company, crazy travel schedules, or no schedules and kids home for the summer, perhaps ignoring the things you need to show up in your best energy. I know all of this is true for me.
Books on my Bedside:
The Art and Science of Getting Happier – Build the Life You Want
by Arthur C. Brooks & Oprah Winfrey
Taylor Takeaways:
My professional training has taught me to help people cultivate their energy to live the life they want and I’ve learned that most people just want to be happy. If they are not as happy as they would like to be, we explore what’s getting in the way and dive into the “story behind the story”. It’s powerful stuff. While I haven’t gotten through the whole book, I am curious about what the authors call the “macronutrients of happiness – enjoyment, satisfaction and purpose.” Certainly, enjoyment, satisfaction and purpose contribute to your energy. I’m diving in!
Mindful Moments
Science tells us that building gratitude into your daily life can literally rewire your brain and reduce stress. It is part of my recipe for self-care on a daily basis. I encourage you to explore some of these methods to bring more gratitude into your days:
- Write it down – Keep a gratitude journal. Try it for 30 days. Be specific about what you are thankful for.
- Talk about it – Sharing what you are thankful for isn’t just for Thanksgiving. Make it a habit to talk about what you are grateful for all year long. It will reinforce your feelings.
- Bring it to work – Start business meetings with a “what went well” one-sentence reflection. Notice the energy it brings to the meeting.
- Take a daily photo of something you are grateful for and post to Instagram or Facebook
- Try a gratitude jar or tree. Take a decorative mason jar or a small wooden tree and place it somewhere you will see it every day, like your kitchen counter. On a regular basis (daily or weekly) take a piece of paper and write: “I’m thankful for ______ today because ______.” If you are feeling low, read your blessings to yourself. This is a great one to do with your family.
- Use technology – there are many great apps to help you keep a gratitude practice
