Good health is more than just feeling well physically. Good mental health enhances our ability to enjoy life and to effectively deal with challenges.

Good mental health also allows us to handle day-to-day demands such as caring for ourselves and our families, maintaining friendships, working and participating in recreational or spiritual activities. It also helps us to manage the unexpected without “losing it.”

Although most Americans believe they have good mental health, issues and claims related to mental health and stress are increasingly a concern in American workplaces. In fact, a recent report identified work as the number one source of stress for Americans.

It’s important for you and your employer to address the stressors in your workplace because:

* Employees under stress are less motivated, productive and creative, and in time their mental health may be seriously eroded.
* Efficiency levels may drop and absenteeism may increase due to increased physical illness and/or depression and anxiety.
* Short- and long-term disability claims (and even premature deaths) may increase.

This article describes how you can identify the causes of your stress and then take control.

Identify the Causes of Your Stress
Are some of these common sources of workplace stress affecting you?

* work overload
* long hours
* inflexibility in your work schedule
* inability to make independent decisions
* conflicting job demands
* reporting to more than one supervisor
* strained relationships
* inadequate work space
* social isolation
* limited training or career development opportunities

Take Control of Your Stress
Are you in control? Find out by answering the following questions.

* What is your work/life balance score ? Are you becoming your job or do you have a good balance between work and play, self-care and care for others?
* Are you allowing workplace stress to be a habit, like a well-worn shoe? Much stress is habitual, but you can change that.
* Are your thoughts about work optimistic and positive or chronically pessimistic and negative? Most stress is caused by your perception of the situation, not the situation itself. Try taking a step back and reframing how you view a problem or issue.
* Can you distinguish among things that are truly under your control, things you can influence and things you have no control over? Are you putting your energy into the first two areas and avoiding stress caused by the third area (things you cannot control)?
* Can you see the humour in stressful situations? Being able to laugh at yourself is one indicator of positive mental health.
* Do you have a strong social network? The people who care about you can often help put things in perspective or help you find solutions to nagging concerns.
* Are you maintaining your mental and physical health by:
# seeking connections with something beyond yourself through nature, religion, books, music, art or service to others?
# including regular physical activity, good nutrition and relaxation techniques in your schedule?

Psychologists often recommend physical activity as a way to reduce feelings of depression or anxiety. (You feel good after being active because of the endorphins that are released in the brain.)

You can improve your mental health significantly by effectively managing workplace stress. Start by recognizing and acknowledging the sources of your stress. Then take charge of the things you can control or influence. For example, you might consider increasing the amount and regularity of your physical activity, which is a potent tool for improving both physical and mental health.

Source: HealthyAlberta.com

Think about it. Not only do your kids spend about 1,150 hours a year at school, but childhood is the best time to make healthy choices a habit.

It only makes sense, then, to involve everyone in the school community (students, teachers, parents, and community members) in promoting healthy eating, physical activity, and mental health.

This article describes what a healthy school community is, gives you information about the benefits of improved health, and suggests ways for you to help promote a healthy school community.

What Is a Healthy School Community?

In a healthy school community, everyone is a partner, including students, teachers, parents, and community members. Involving all of these partners in health means that the school community can affect the health of parents, grandparents, and other family members as well as the health of students.

Your child receives the same health message whether he or she is at home, in school, or in the community. Kids also learn ways to stay healthy (especially through physical activity, healthy eating, and good mental health) and how to make good decisions about their health.

Healthy school communities also offer

• lots of health promotion (schools that do a really good job of promoting health may be called comprehensive school health (CSH) schools);
• health policies or guidelines, e.g., healthy eating guidelines to control what is sold in school stores and vending machines;
• a wellness-focused curriculum in the classroom; and
• a supportive social environment and school culture that promotes physical and emotional well being for students, staff, and parents.

It doesn’t take a lot to create a healthier school. Some changes include

• scheduling more physical education and physical activity;
• offering healthy lunches or healthy foods for sale in school cafeterias;
• banning the sale of soft drinks and increasing water and 100% juice sales;
• providing healthy eating and active living education;
• involving parents and community members in school activities; and
• offering training for school staff on how to develop a healthy school community.

Why Promote this Kind of School?

Schools can promote both learning and healthy living. Consider these facts:

• 95% of young people are enrolled in schools;
• schools have always promoted physical activity, healthy eating, and positive social behaviour (so schools are not taking on new responsibilities);
• well planned school programs can promote physical activity, healthy eating, mental health (e.g., by reducing bullying), and reducing TV viewing time.
• physical activity (including physical education and other types of activity) andhealthy eating programs can lead to better academic performance;
• healthy children and youth are better able to learn, live, work, and play.

What Can You Do?

You can help your children’s school become a healthy school. For starters, ask some of these questions at your parent advisory council.

How does our school community support health promotion through its policies, student learning, and supportive environments?

Are all partners involved (students, parents, staff, community members)?

Are our kids getting the same messages about health at home, at school, and in the community?

A healthy school community involves all partners and sends children the same message in the home, school, and community. Children who attend a healthy school can make informed, healthy decisions that affect their own lives and the lives of their families. As a parent, you can certainly play an active role in promoting a healthy school community.

Source: HealthyAlberta.com