I sent a survey to colleagues recently that posed an important question. How do you express self gratitude? I have always tried to live my life with a “glass half full” mentality but the pandemic left me wanting more. I made it a goal to incorporate more wellness into my life both personally and professionally but COVID has certainly created some challenges. During the beginning stages of the pandemic, isolation from friends, family, neighbors and colleagues became part of our routine. We were forced to keep a safe distance for protection but the lingering effects of the isolation have been profound. Finding ways to socially reconnect after a long period of disconnect can be very challenging as we navigate our new normals and perhaps have adapted new coping mechanisms over the last two years. When I looked at the answers, there were several great ideas but I was surprised with how many people did not practice self gratitude and self care. Among the hardships we have faced with the pandemic, one of the positive impacts has been opportunities for flexibility. Through technological advancements, many have proven that engaging in a hybrid work model, working from home full time and spending less time in the office have been successful. But in a world that has felt disconnected for two years, how do we repair the missing social connections with friends, family and colleagues while maintaining flexibility? This is where self gratitude comes in.
My life motto has always been that your health is your wealth. Practicing self care and expressing self gratitude are two key ingredients to well-being. Wellness can look different to different people but the purpose is universal. Do things that bring you joy and meaning to your life. Whether that involves exercising, cooking, reading, knitting, spending time with family and friends, playing instruments, walking, traveling, sleeping, meditating, watching your favorite television show or simply doing nothing. The list goes on but the bottom line is simple. After the chaos of daily life, find something that you can call your own. Something that truly makes you happy and find a way to incorporate this into your day. Like I’ve mentioned before, the best investment you can make in life is in yourself. In order to care for others, self care should be a priority.
So how do we maintain wellness in the workplace when the workplace may look different? It’s simple, stay connected. Finding ways to stay connected to our colleagues and loved ones even though we may not see them on a daily basis may be difficult but that’s where you have to get creative. As we slowly incorporate more face to face interactions, utilizing social networking platforms is a great first start. Setting up times to meet virtually for book clubs, yoga sessions, trivia, talent shows and happy hours are opportunities to socially connect. One of my personal favorites has been a gratitude wall. I have always been a visual person and love to create art that people can look at and contribute to. Sending survey questions centered around wellness and gratitude is a way to get people to start thinking about their own well-being. It also allows colleagues to participate and share their journeys with one another. When I started my wellness journey, I had no idea what I was doing. I struggled with making time to embrace the things I truly enjoy and wasn’t sure how to encourage others to do the same. But once I found my bearings, I can say it’s been one of the most meaningful experiences in my life. I’ve realized that it doesn’t have to be a huge production that requires a ton of effort or money. Sometimes a simple phone call or text message checking in on someone is all it takes. Getting creative on ways to stay connected is actually much easier than we think. As humans, maintaining social interaction is essential to well-being and although it may look different, discovering new ways to maintain wellness in the workplace can be very empowering. Make it a priority to create a space for your team’s well-being to support resilience, health and happiness.
