August is National Wellness Month and with school starting and fall festivities right around the corner it can turn into a stressful time of year. Lauren Howard, CEO of LBee Health, wants people to know that it doesn’t have to be.
LBee Health is a mental health practice that focuses on people who are experiencing burnout, toxic work environments and other difficult situations. LBee Health offers different programs including an adult autism and ADHD program where patients can take an assessment to determine if they have a diagnosis.
Howard said that at LBee Health, they see all different types of neurodivergent individuals who have worked hard to fit in and mask the issues they are experiencing. When asked what made them want to take an assessment, she said the number one thing patients say is, “If I found out that I have a diagnosis I can be nicer to myself.”
Overstimulation is common, and Howard said at this time of year it is a normal thing to feel because parents and families are juggling a lot at one time.
Some of her back-to-school wellness tips included staying grounded and present in the moment and being aware of your emotions and less judgmental of yourself.
“Be mindful and present, rather than just reacting to what is happening in your environment,” she said.
Howard said at this time of year it is easy for busy parents to feel overwhelmed and worry about things that are 10 steps ahead. She said it is important to check in with all your five senses when you are feeling overstimulated.
“As basic as that sounds, it redirects what is coming in from the outside,” Howard said. She encouraged parents to slow down and take a breath and use their senses to make the decision of how to experience calmness.
Sleep is another huge piece of the mental health puzzle. Howard said that when it comes to sleep, consistency works best, and she recommends having a consistent sleep routine.
“That varies so widely from person to person, but sleep is the key to having a good day,” she said.
As a mother of two, Howard knows that it can be difficult to develop good sleep habits with children but she said, “Kids will sleep more when given the opportunity to sleep more.”
She recommended putting your kids to bed a little earlier if they have trouble falling asleep right away.
Work-life balance can also be a struggle for many families, and according to Howard it is less about work-life balance and more about work-life integration.
“Figure out your boundaries and stick to them,” she said.
It is important to fully understand your role within your company so you know exactly what is expected of you and you are not adding extra to your plate. It is also important to figure out exactly what you want to gain from your job, because according to Howard we should be “working to live, not living to work.”
To learn more about LBee Health go to lbeehealth.com.
