In 1992 the World Federation for Mental Health first recognised Mental Health Day. Now, 30 years on, October is celebrated in NSW as Mental Health Month.
To encourage each other to think about our mental health, we spoke to the Madden team. Our final post is with our Senior Account Manager, Taryn. Here are some of her insights:
What does mindfulness mean to you?
Being present and able to focus on your day. At work, that often means removing unwanted distractions but also making time to speak with my colleagues and engage with them to understand how their days are going. If I’m mindful, that means I’m not only focused on myself but the people around me.
How could we practice more mindfulness at work/in our day-to-day?
For me, it was a piece of advice I received from a colleague, which was that he turned off most phone notifications. It’s tempting to plug in, but I’ve come to realise that it doesn’t equal increased work efficiency or good mental health. In his words, “if someone desperately needs me outside of hours, they have my mobile phone number,” and that’s something I’ve adopted. I’m also experimenting with enjoying time out – meaning I don’t spend time on my phone during my commute home, music is fine, but I’ve turned against mindless scrolling.
What’s your go-to routine when you’re feeling overwhelmed/stressed?
To speak to friends or family and to get outside (which has been a little harder this year with all the rain we’ve had in Sydney). Changing your location can sometimes help clear your mind and find a new perspective on things.
How does Madden embrace a positive culture which supports our well-being?
Our culture is set from the top, and that means being open and honest with your team if you’re not always having the best day. Sometimes sharing that you’re not your best or that you need to work from home is something our organisation supports and means that everyone on the team is able to bring their whole self to work.