As the World Health Organization (#WHO) states, “Mental health is a basic human right. Everyone, wherever they are, has the right to the highest attainable standard of mental health.” This includes the right to protection from mental health risks, access to good quality care, and the right to live with independence, liberty, and inclusion.

Did you know that today is International Mental Health Day?

It’s the perfect moment to reflect on how we’re taking care of mental health, not just in our personal lives, but also in our organizations and teams.

How are you nurturing mental well-being in your workplace?

And just as importantly, how are you taking care of your mental health?

Today is a great day to pause, reflect, and give yourself the space you need for your well-being.

Recently, I had the opportunity to facilitate a session on Gratefulness & Life Enjoyment at Het Koorenhuis. During the session, we explored the impact of gratitude on our mental, social, and emotional well-being. We didn’t just talk theory—we practiced the power of gratitude in three simple ways that contribute to both mental and physical well-being. To give you a sneak peek, a „gratitude letter” is one of them.

Gratitude can also be practiced in team meetings or when working on team dynamics. Last but not least, expressing gratitude can be combined with constructive feedback to create a more positive and productive environment.

If you’d like to deepen your understanding of gratitude, here are five habits often practiced by highly grateful people.

1. Once in a while, they think about death and loss
2. They take the time to smell the roses
3. They take the good things as gifts, not birthrights
4. They’re grateful to people, not just things
5. They *thank* outside the box

Enjoy the International Mental Health Day!