By Cathryn Gunther, Mars Global Head of Associate Health & Wellbeing
As I celebrate my two-year anniversary with Mars, I am proud of the progress we've made to raise awareness and reduce the stigma associated with mental health, to inspire new behaviors and ways of working that support mental wellbeing, and to simplify support through access to quality mental health benefits.
With that in mind, I thought I’d share some of the ways I nurture my own mental health:
1. Approaching every day with clear intentions
Each morning, I dedicate a few minutes to prioritize what I want to accomplish that day. By taking this deliberate pause, I align my thoughts and goals, ensuring that I focus on what truly matters and avoid becoming overwhelmed by all of the competing demands.
2. Embracing nature's healing power
One of the most effective ways I support my mental health is by spending time outdoors, getting some vitamin D, and soaking in nature. Whether it's a leisurely walk around my neighborhood or an (admittedly slow) jog along a scenic trail, the connection with nature helps me unwind. Nature has a remarkable ability to restore our sense of wellbeing and can feel like an escape from the stresses of the day, even if just for a few minutes.
3. Cooking for nourishment and connection
Preparing healthy meals for my family has become a therapeutic practice that not only supports my physical health but also my mental wellbeing. Using simple, fresh ingredients, ensuring a balance of colors and flavors, and creating a meal for my family offers a mindful break from my workday. I enjoy the experimentation of cooking – not following a recipe, rather finding ways to bring a meal to the table that has an element of surprise and makes people happy, content, and connected.
4. Getting sufficient sleep
I’ve learned that getting enough sleep (for me that’s about 8 hours) is critical to my mental wellbeing. Without it, I’m not as resilient or energized. Waking up well rested is a reminder of how important sleep is to performing professionally and feeling well personally. Despite the temptation of another Netflix series or the call of social media, I try to prioritize going to bed by 10 PM.
5. Pausing to reset
Deep breathing exercises have become an essential tool to manage my stress. Whenever I feel my body tensing up or my heart rate rising, I take a few moments to focus on my breath, inhaling deeply through my nose and exhaling slowly through my mouth. Forcing myself to be in the moment and taking those deep breaths prompts my body’s relaxation response, making me feel calmer and helping me recenter my mind.
Mars’ Commitment to Mental Health
Beyond the things we can do individually to support our mental health, we should also think about our community. Research from the World Health Organization shows that high-quality social connections(Opens a new window) are essential to our mental and physical health and our well-being. This means that our workplace (physical or virtual) and our colleagues can have a significant impact on our mental health. And we want to be sure that’s a positive impact.
That’s why I’m pleased to share Mars’ latest step to support our Associates’ health and wellbeing—our Mental Health Commitment.
This Commitment demonstrates our belief that good mental health is essential to achieving our best, both personally and professionally. It conveys the company’s dedication to creating a culture that promotes, supports, and improves Associates’ mental health and energy. In addition to the importance to individuals and teams, it is key to our organization’s success now and in the future.
Take care of you
I hope reading this serves as a reminder to take care of your own mental health. Maybe you felt some inspiration from one of my approaches, or maybe something else works better for you—I’d love to hear from you, so let’s keep this conversation going(Opens a new window).
