When you aren’t good, there are ways to feel better.

When I think about World Mental Health Day and what I can share with you, my invitation is for you to be open to new ways of thinking about and addressing our overall health.

The good news is that we, as a society, are making significant strides in recognizing the importance of mental health.  Stigmas are gradually diminishing, and more and more people are seeking help.

Back in 2019, when I shared with corporations that the mental health of their employees was not looking good, most told me they had it covered.  They shared that a 30-minute training was offered yearly to discuss mental health challenges.  Clearly, they weren’t fully understanding how badly people were struggling.  But the statistics I saw were staggering, especially around people unable to process their negative feelings.

Then the pandemic hit, and corporations started reaching out, asking, “Michelle, what exactly do you do? We have people’s emotions going off the rails!”  This proactive approach from corporations made me hopeful, as it showed that they were listening and were genuinely concerned about their employees’ well-being, making them feel valued and cared for.

As corporations looked for ways to support their people, overall well-being increased during the pandemic. From my experience working with Fortune 500 companies, I have statistical proof that people can learn a new way to understand their emotions and feel better.

Here’s the not-so-good news: According to Johns Hopkins, since 2023, workplace well-being has been declining again, back to where it started pre-pandemic.  Again, this is when I tried to sound the alarm to businesses that they needed to do more, and clearly, we still do.

I’m here to remind you that your hands are not tied.  What you can do as an individual through your actions can be highly beneficial.

First and foremost, how you treat yourself in one area of your life has a ripple effect on how you feel.  Like a boomerang, your feelings impact how you show up in life, reinforcing your thoughts about yourself and life.

The simplest guidance I can give you is to remind you to slow down and receive yourself. You may be asking, “What does receiving myself even mean, Michelle?”

Imagine this…  You go barefoot in your backyard and sit in the grass for five minutes.  No phone, no interruptions.  You sit and take in what you see.  Or you close your eyes and allow yourself to breathe in fresh air.  If you don’t go outside, you sit by your window and enjoy nature.  After five minutes, you can ask yourself, “What else do I need right now that is simple for me to do?”  Maybe it is giving yourself another five minutes of stillness, maybe it is acknowledging yourself for how amazing you are, or perhaps you ask someone for a hug.

When we face internal and external pressures to be productive, successful, or even happy, we can end up drained. Personally, I need to remind myself daily to slow down and receive the wisdom offered in silence.  I, too, buy into trying to get sh*t done. But the price is too dear.  The price is your relationship with yourself, your inner wisdom, and your inner peace.

I invite you to remain open to what life has to offer.  If you are not feeling good about your emotional or mental health, remain open to alternatives.  Society’s approach to mental health is shifting because it needs to, as traditional means aren’t working for many.  If they work for you, great.  If they don’t, there are more choices.  Keep looking and empower yourself with practices that guide you to how to process negative feelings.

My personal prayer for all people is that today, you begin even more of a deepening relationship with yourself and your inner needs.  When you listen to the voice within you that is filled with love, you will find your way back home to yourself.

Warmly,

Michelle Bersell

PS: If you would like a FREE short practice to Come Home to You, click here.