challenges for the end of the year, and we’ve started hosting some community health classes, such as pediatric yoga. We’re also mov- ing toward possibly offering other community health classes at the wellness center and potentially some nutrition classes, too.” As nice as the new gym is, James said it’s only one opportunity for wellness activities throughout the workday. “Once you get to work, park the furthest away you can,” she
said. “Everybody’s always trying to race to those spots in the front of the building, and that’s not really necessary. Park in the back and get some extra steps in. Throughout the day, take the stairs when available and if possible. “Something I’ve seen some employees do is sync up their
smartwatches to challenge each other. They’ll set a daily goal — for instance, getting in 8,000 steps — and then they can monitor each other’s progress.” James said it often takes very small changes to put a person on a different fitness path. Eating one’s lunch at one’s desk is a commonplace occurrence for many workers, for example, but not necessarily the best strategy for maintaining optimal health. “I’m a poor, poor example of this,” she said. “I am a type-while- I-eat-just-to-get-it-done kind of person. But I would definitely advocate for anybody to step away just for a few minutes and clear your head and not even think about work. “You’re going to be more productive if you can get in there and
get some work done, take a break and come back than if you just sit there and grind it out all day. I’ve read studies that show work- ers who take breaks complete their to-do list with a lot more ef- ficiency than those who just kind of paddle their way through all day. We all really do need that break time.”
TRADING WOEFUL FOR JOYFUL The holidays are supposed to be a time for enjoying fami-
ly, counting our blessings and engaging our brighter spirits. Unfortunately for many people, it is also a time of great stress and anxiety as people are run over by the hustle, bustle and expecta- tions of the season. Lora Hand, a mental health therapist with Ozarks Healthcare
Behavioral Health Center (BHC), said surviving the holidays isn’t something to be left to chance; it takes deliberate effort and strategy. “Acknowledge your own feelings about the holidays and whether
you are doing what you want to do or is it just like, well, this is tradition, this is what we always do. It’s OK to say no. Be realistic. Acknowledge your own feelings and don’t feel bad about doing it.” Hand said with some creative thought and careful planning,
virtually every aspect of the holidays can be brought under better control. Alone and feeling blue? Schedule some volunteer time to connect with people. Bills piling up? Write out a holiday budget and stick to it for food, decorations and the like. Even gift spend- ing shouldn’t escape your scrutiny. “Sticking to a budget is a big deal,” she said. “With food costs being what they are, maybe suggest having a potluck instead of taking on all that responsibility yourself. “As for gifts, you can always do an alternative theme. Especially in big families, do a drawing, pull out a name and buy gifts with a certain dollar limit. That way, it doesn’t seem like someone’s
Acknowledge your own
feelings about the holidays and whether you are doing what you want to do or is it just like, well, this is tradition.
- Lora Hand - Mental Health Therapist FALL/WINTER 2022 | INSIGHT | 35
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trying to overcompensate with a large present to someone.” And as for that big gathering that always seems to land at your house, don’t be afraid of managing those extra hands to help share the work, including kids. “Incorporate people into your plans, definitely,” Hand said.
“You can incorporate them and give people little tasks to do, even if it’s washing dishes. Who wants to wash, who wants to rinse, who wants to dry? You might even draw out a chore list before everybody gets there so everybody can take a task and feel like they’re contributing to what’s going on. “Not everyone might be able to bring a dish, but there’s some- thing they can do to be a part of the holiday instead of you, the host or hostess, just serving them a holiday. For many people, they want to feel like they are a part of the celebration.” Most of all, don’t be afraid to set — and stick to — limits. “Everybody can say no at times and be OK with saying no,”
Hand said. “It’s OK to say no and limit our guests or just limit the holiday itself if we feel like we need to. If we can’t be a happy participant, everybody is going to see that and we don’t want to project that. We want to project togetherness. That’s why we have a holiday.”
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