When it comes to satisfaction in the workplace, is it important to have a satisfaction with life outside of work? How do you recommend professionals balance to the two?
Satisfaction with life outside of work is essential for each person. Individuals who are engaged in relationships and activities outside of work that provide them joy are much happier in the workplace. I encourage everyone to have an activity that promotes wellness for them, such as exercise, gardening, or engaging in a faith community or other interest group. Positive relationships provide us with connection and growth and are necessary for wellbeing. Time spent in positive relationships pays big dividends in overall life satisfaction.
What role does hope and resiliency place in one’s overall well-being?
Resiliency is one of the most important traits for each of us to build. Hope and resiliency are intertwined in that hope increase resiliency. When we hope for a better future and can visualize ourselves in that future, we become motivated to work toward positive change. Resiliency can move us forward by aiding us in seeing each challenge as one that we can overcome to reach our goal.
Is it possible to practice having hope, resiliency, and life satisfaction? How?
We are all impacted by our life experiences related to hope and resiliency. However, even people who have faced tremendous adversity can work toward practicing hope and resiliency which can improve life satisfaction. We know that by smiling, we shift the chemicals in our brain toward a more positive outlook. The daily practice of identifying areas in our life for which we have gratitude will begin to help us with a positive outlook which will fuel hope and resiliency. We also empower ourselves when we look for ways in which we can help others. The act of aiding another person, such as volunteering at the food bank, empowers us to realize we can effect positive change and that leads to hope, resiliency, and life satisfaction. Setting measurable, reasonable, and achievable goals for ourselves, such as increasing our mileage for walking or running, also builds our resiliency.
How can a busy professional benefit from talking to a mental health professional about the importance of hope, resiliency, and life satisfaction in their life?
Busy professionals often place their needs as the last item on their list to address. Scheduling time to meet with a mental health professional to look at how you spend your time as well as how you feel at the end of the day can be vital. Just having that discussion with a trained mental health professional who actively listens and reflects can spark ideas a busy person may not ponder. Mental health professionals are skilled at providing a safe place to help individuals evaluate their lives. Taking time to review where you are and where you wish to be for your emotional health is an excellent investment in helping you live your best life.
Debra Atkisson is the regional medical director for Connections Wellness. Dr. Atkisson’s philosophy is to help others function well to live their best lives. She has worked in clinical, administrative, consultative, and teaching positions throughout her career. She is board-certified in general psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry and is Vice Chair of the Federation of Texas Psychiatry and president-elect of the Texas Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Connections Wellness Group is a nationally accredited healthcare practice able to care for any need, from acute depression to the common cold and everything in between. Connections Wellness Group has received more than 100 distinguished awards in its first four years of operation.
