“When a flower doesn't bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.” (Alexander Den Heijer). Each of us are unique and different but we all share the same desire to learn, grow, and flourish. Just as Spring is a great time to clean your home and freshen your garden, we can take a similar approach to our own personal “environment”. This past year has challenged us. Most of us feel like we are working harder than ever! We want to thrive, but sometimes a limitation to our own space – physically, emotionally – has created a barrier. In today’s Wellness Wednesday, we identify of some attainable ways to “fix our environment” to help us bloom.
Try this:
- Think of a space in your life that could use some attention and tending.
- Come up with a strategy you can implement to fix that “environment”.
- Here are some ideas to get started:
- Need some motivation to finish your homework or jump back on your Teams meeting? Refresh your workstation or desk area! Post some inspirational quotes or a mural on the wall, decorate the space with some bright pictures or paper, add flowers or a plant, open the blinds, turn on an extra light, move closer to a window, declutter, etc.
- Struggling with that mid-day slump? Have a “go-to” list of things that energize and recharge you! Make an upbeat playlist, bookmark videos that make you smile (i.e., cats, baby animals, people laughing, etc.), go outside, or create a list of some deep breathing and/or stretching exercises that you can do anywhere.
- Are you stuck on a screen all day? Schedule daily device-free time. Spend a few minutes each day doing activity you enjoy that doesn’t require technology. Get some fresh air throughout the day, even if it is just to sit next to an open window, go for a quick walk around the block, or stand on a balcony or porch.
- Do you have young children or siblings that need to expend energy? Find some green space to run around, go for a walk or bike ride together, try some after-school stretching or exercise activities, or think of ways to laugh and giggle together.
- When we take time to “spring clean” our environment, we potentially reduce our stress, improve our moods, and get more energy, creating opportunities to thrive.
Ask yourself, there is no wrong answer:
How does fixing our environment help us? How does it help others?
Connecting to our faith:
When we allow the word of God to tend to our soul, He gives us the direction and strength to make our “environment” one where we feel like we can bloom.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)
Further Learning:
“Spring cleaning for your mental health” (https://www.camh.ca/en/camh-news-and-stories/spring-cleaning-for-your-mental-health)
“Spring cleaning health benefits” https://www.readersdigest.ca/home-garden/cleaning/spring-cleaning-health-benefits/
Children’s Book: “Breathing Makes It Better” by Christopher Willard and Wendy O'Leary
Employees of LDCSB checkout WorkLifeHealth from EAP Provider Morneau Sheppell
We welcome your feedback, click here