By Dr. Stacia’ Alexander, LPC-S
While it seems like only yesterday that Texas was hit by a fierce winter storm, we are now at the end of the year preparing for the holiday season. Few of us have gone unaffected by a year of ups and downs, from electricity outages, COVID surges, school shootings, and political discourse. Despite all of the turmoil over the past year, there has been one silver lining: mental health has received more attention.
Information is being spread across numerous platforms about the importance of maintaining good mental health. It is now recognized that mental health has multiple layers, just like any other aspect of healthcare. Access to emotional regulation assistance is no longer confined to just crisis moments but also now seen as a preventive measure.
An area that has received specific attention is workplace management. Corporations of all sizes embraced the value of their employees by providing more resources for mental health care. Decompression Zones have even been created in the workplace to emphasize the importance of taking breaks, having a space to think alone, and a place to unwind if workplace challenges become too much. Creating a Decompression Zone at work is a reasonable endeavor in most workplaces, and the value far outweighs the effort required to set one up.
One of the key benefits of having a Decompression Zone at work is that it encourages employees to take their breaks instead of powering through without some stress relief. It also provides a passive educational area for employees to learn about different ways to meditate and relax. Some people have never learned how to relax without falling asleep, making it difficult for them to fully integrate mindfulness.
Some key components of a workplace Decompression Zone include:
- A midsized room that can accommodate at least 2-3 people, with adequate space so that people can wear headphones and hear their own music without hearing others;
- Comfortable floor seating, as well as oversized and oversized chairs;
- Aromatherapy that is soft and non-offensive to the sinuses;
- Soft nature music throughout;
- Plants to enhance the air quality of the room while providing an inviting aesthetic to the space;
- Positive affirmations and imagery on the walls.
Any items added to the room should promote wellness and positive energy. Remember the culture of the workplace when planning the room and the needs of the employees. Adding this to the workplace is a monumental step in removing the stigma of incorporating our mental health needs into daily conversation.
Dr. Stacia’ Alexander, LPC-S, is a professional counselor, author, speaker, and mental health advocate. Learn more at Positive Influences.