The WTS Connecticut Diversity Committee supports diversity throughout the Chapter by working with other committees and membership to develop an environment that welcomes and supports all.  We believe that embracing the differences and similarities in our members including ethnicity, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, neurodiversity, & profession benefits both our members and the world at large. If you have ideas that you believe can help with our mission or are interested in being a part of the WTS CT Diversity Committee, please contact Kelley Kelly at [email protected].

WTS-CT Recognizes that August is National Wellness Month

By Kelley Kelly

So bring on the posts about exercise, diet, fitness, looksmaxxing, right?  We get bombarded with that all over both social and traditional media so, while I recognize how important physical health is, I’m going to go another direction.  What are you doing for you?  Not for your job, your colleagues, friends or family.. for your mind, your essence, the spark that makes you you? 

For myself, I am forcing myself to work on releasing the need to control everything while also nourishing creativity by learning watercolor painting.  I am, shall we say, not very good at either letting go of control or watercolor but I love being creative.  It feeds my soul.  Here are some other suggestions for ways to work on your own mental wellness over August:

• Take 5 minutes between work tasks to breathe and stretch.  Box breathing (A guide to the calming technique of box breathing - NISAD) is a great way to work on breath focus and a good stretch between tasks is a good brain reset.  Here are some simple ones to get you started. The Ultimate 'Deskercise' Routine: Stretches for the Office 
   
• I know this may sound a little “woo-woo” but don’t underestimate the power of a good affirmation (even if it’s of the “...and, gol’darn it, people like me!” variety).  Writing and repeating affirmations can help us reframe life and remind us of our own worth.  John Kehoe has some suggestions for writing effective affirmations here: How to Write Affirmations That Actually Work (+ 25 Examples)
   
• This article has some thoughtful relaxation techniques that go beyond “drink more water”, including guided imagery, tips on progressive muscle relaxation and more:  18 Effective Stress Relief Strategies
   
• A helpful book on the topic is Mel Robbins’ Let Them.
  https://www.melrobbins.com/book/the-let-them-theory/  Let Them is mostly about not worrying about things you can’t control but, a few chapters in, she introduces the complementary concept of “Let Me” to give permission to yourself to pursue your interests, happiness, and things that fulfill you.
   
• I’ve also been reading The Smallest of Joys by Diane Schiffer (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/808631/the-smallest-of-joys-by-diane-shiffer/) which is like having the most loving of grandmothers in your pocket reminding you that you matter.

Enjoy the summer and remember you cannot pour from an empty cup.  Time spent renewing your spirit and body is not wasteful but necessary to being the best we can be.

As a (rather lame) reward for reading through, here’s one of my incredible (mediocre) watercolors!

Image

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