At Extra Space Storage, we believe in taking care of our team. Helping people to a better tomorrow doesn’t stop with our customers; our employees deserve the same peace of mind. That’s why we offer benefits and wellness programs that go beyond traditional benefits packages.
While providing employees with a quality healthcare plan is important, we know that each person at Extra Space Storage has different needs to care for their physical and mental well-being. Providing employees with tools and resources for their financial, emotional, psychological, and social health is equally important in our pursuit to help everyone to a better tomorrow.
May is Mental Health Awareness month, and with that in mind, we’re sharing some wellness tips from our friends at Health Advocate, who we partner with to provide employees and their families with a full range of clinical and administrative services, as well as behavioral health and wellness programs.
Mental & Emotional Health Tips
According to Health Advocate, one in five people face mental or emotional health challenges. However, not all of them share what they’re going through due to insensitivity that often surrounds mental health, which can prevent them from getting the help they need.
Speak Up
It’s not easy to share personal challenges with others, but it’s an important first step in getting help. Talk to someone you trust or reach out to an organization specializing in providing mental health and wellness services. The more we talk about mental health, the more we can erase the stigma.
Show Support
If someone shares their struggles with you, acknowledge their pain and listen without judgment. When individuals share what they’re going through, they generally don’t expect you to problem solve, but instead need someone to listen and show support. Showing support can be as simple as saying “It must be hard for you” or “I’m here to listen if you want to talk about how you feel.”
Stress Management Tips
Work can sometimes feel busy and overwhelming. Taking time out of your day to unwind—even if it’s just for a few minutes—is essential for our well-being. Add some of these quick tips to your stress management toolkit to help you unwind and make your day more manageable.
Start Your Day with Gratitude
Spending a few minutes each morning to think about what you’re grateful for is sure to get your day off to a positive start. Before you open your email or scroll social media, write down a few things you’re thankful for.
Take a Walk
It’s good to step away and get some fresh air. Taking a break and going for a walk can do wonders to reboot your body and mind, leaving you ready to tackle the rest of your day!
Stretch
Some light stretching and movement can increase blood flow and help you clear your mind. Stand at your desk or look up stretching sequences that can be done while sitting.
Cuddle with a Partner, Child, or Pet
If you’re working from home, there’s no need to wait until the end of the day to share a hug with your partner, child, or pet. Physical interaction with a loved one or furry friend can release oxytocin and immediately lift your spirits.
Curate a Playlist
Music can be the ultimate mood-booster. Create a playlist that helps you feel positive, upbeat, or calm. Keep a few playlists on hand to match your needs at the moment.
Practice Mindfulness
Simply taking a few minutes to close your eyes, take some deep breaths, and quiet your mind might be all you need to reduce stress throughout the day.
Go to Bed Earlier
Sleep is essential to recharge the body and mind, but often we neglect its importance. If you’re feeling some extra stress, try getting an additional hour or even 30 minutes of sleep.
Work-Life Balance Tips
Thinking you need to achieve the perfect work-life balance can be overwhelming and counterproductive for your mental, emotional, and social health. Instead of focusing on what perfect might look like, focus on being more intentional about what you prioritize throughout the day.
Set Specific Goals
Setting goals isn’t just for the workplace. If you struggle to find a balance between work and time spent with family and friends, set some goals. This can help you make more time for the things that you value. Make sure your goals are measurable so you can reflect on where you’ve improved and where you still need to adjust.
Review Your Daily Priorities
Your to-do list on a busy Monday might look different than a Friday when you’re wrapping up the week and have extra time. Taking a few minutes each day to review your personal wellness priorities can help you balance work and life even on the busiest of days.
Establish Boundaries
Maintaining boundaries between work and home can be especially challenging when working from home. Setting up a designated office space or putting away all work-related equipment at the end of the day can help keep work-life boundaries from getting blurred. Designating time throughout the day for breaks and lunch is also important. Once the workday is done, take a few minutes to unwind and mentally transition from work to home.
Do Something Different
Carve out some time in your morning to walk to a coffee shop or pick a new restaurant you’ve wanted to try at lunchtime. Whether it’s a slight change in your daily routine or something more substantial like learning a new skill, doing something different is a great way to re-energize your senses!
Take Time Off
It’s easy to get busy and feel like you can’t take time away from work. Even if you don’t have your next vacation planned, take a mental health day to focus on your needs and personal well-being.
Visit the Health Advocate blog for more tips on maintaining a healthy lifestyle at work and home.
Extra Space Storage is proud to be the recipient of the Platinum Award for Utah Worksite Wellness for the fifth consecutive year. Our philosophy is to create a total rewards program that enables success through promoting our company mission, values, and customer experience behaviors. Learn more about working at Extra Space Storage.
