18th May 2023
Mental health is an issue that affects many people. It is estimated that 1 in 6 adults experienced a ‘common mental disorder’ such as depression or anxiety in just the past week alone.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, people are more aware of mental health issues and the impact that they can have on a person’s general wellbeing. The theme of this year’s awareness week is anxiety.
Tackling anxiety is something that everyone has to take part in. It can’t just be down to the individual. As a company, Myers employees have come together to find ways we can challenge the stigma surrounding anxiety, and create an environment where we can talk about any anxieties we may have.
“There are a number of reasons that people can feel anxious; relationships, work stresses, exam stress, pressure due to studying, and huge life events. We can also get anxious when it comes to things to do with finances, particularly in the current climate, with worries over not being able to meet our basic needs, like heating our home or buying food. But anxiety can be made easier to manage.
Talking more about how you are feeling and sharing with those you feel comfortable with can really reduce the pressure. If we allow ourselves to feel our feelings when they happen, we can avoid the sense of being overwhelmed.”
-Helen Myers, Office manager
Studies have shown green to have a calming and relaxing effect on the human mind. So, what better colour to wear while we talk about anxiety?
To support the Mental Health Foundation, we spent the morning having an office breakfast & chat, complete with green snacks and goodies.
We used the space to talk about anxiety, and the problems we can face in the workplace, as well as discussing what steps we can take to help ourselves and each other overcome any anxieties we may have.
Following our breakfast chat, we decided the best way to reduce stress was to take a scenic walk with our Myers mascot, Jasper.
Even a walk as short as thirty minutes every day (or as often as possible) can lower your heart rate, ease your anxiety, and relieve your stress–and it can also be quite scenic.
“We’ve had a positive day in the office and I think everyone has enjoyed taking part and having time to chat. The weather definitely helped with the lunchtime walk!”
For over 70 years the Mental Health Foundation has been the UK’s leading charity for mental health.
Their vision is “for a world with good mental health for all”.
If you would like to learn more about the work they do, whether to raise money for this vital charity or to seek help for any issues you may be facing, then please follow the link below:
