May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an annual observance dedicated to highlighting the significance of mental well-being and fostering awareness. Throughout the month, Blue Yonder has been hosting events designed to support mental health awareness, including a self-compassion webinar in collaboration with Headspace, a Time to Talk* Connect session, a meditation challenge open to all associates, and various resources centered on mental health topics.
This month, and every month, presents an opportunity to foster a more inclusive workplace environment and reduce the stigma associated with mental health. It serves as a reminder for each of us to prioritize our overall well-being, with an emphasis on mental health.
In celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month, we asked Blue Yonder associates to share their personal strategies that have been effective in managing stress and enhancing their overall well-being. Below is a sampling of their responses.
“For me, stress often manifests itself through an immediate reaction to a new request or situation. Also, the sooner the associated deadline, the greater the stress! To counteract this, I try to triage the situation and assess the request and its urgency. I then prioritize it alongside my existing responsibilities. This process can often immediately reduce stress levels, as I gain a clearer understanding and appreciation of the task at hand.” – Brendan Rapose, Solutions Advisor (U.K.)
“Throughout my career, I have prioritized mental health, although at times I have also placed it on the back burner. After becoming a leader, I found that talking about mental health and supporting my own, as well as my team members’, was more important than ever. I see mental health as equally important as physical health, and I’m grateful that the stigma surrounding it has diminished over the years.
As leaders, it’s important to practice what we preach. Whenever possible, take a lunch break, take a call while on a walk, enjoy sunlight during the day, and only attend meetings where you can add or provide specific value. Model self-care for your teams and colleagues. Utilize your employee assistance program (EAP) and mental health benefits, as they are especially important during stressful times. The more we focus on taking care of ourselves, the more present and focused we can be for our company, teams and colleagues.” – Susie Gidseg, Senior Director, Social Media and Influencer Marketing (U.S.)
“Reminding myself of the importance of moderation contributes to overall well-being. Nowadays, we are expected to be everything to everyone simultaneously, which is stressful. Too much of anything is harmful – excessive exercise can damage your health, too much work can damage your personal relationships, and overeating is detrimental to your waistline, among other things. We need to remember that these activities, in the right quantities, are beneficial for us. However, we all have our own limits, and it’s important to be honest about what your limits are – both to yourself and to others.” – Karin Ginnever, Customer Success Advisor (U.K.)
* Blue Yonder offers Time to Talk, a network of Mental Health First Aiders trained to support associates struggling with their mental health. Most importantly, the Time to Talk team provides a safe space and is available for anyone needing someone to talk to without judgment.