With several countries observing a mental health awareness week in May, now is a great time to think about how we care for ourselves and others. We are all worthy of support, encouragement, and happiness. Sometimes feeling okay is easier said than done, but by carving out a bit of time each day to focus on mental and physical health, we can work towards that reality together.
Here at 1Password, a huge part of our culture is being positive and working to bring the “wow” factor to our customers – but to do that, we need to take time to recharge ourselves, too. That’s why we encourage folks to get active during the day, and spend time doing things they love. Whether we’re coding amazing new features or helping answer questions from awesome users, it’s a pretty sedentary job. Having activities outside of work – like going to the gym, yoga, a darts league, or squash – gets you moving, helps the body stay active, and feeds the brain. :)
We also do a few things within 1Password to help keep people feeling connected. Sharing news of engagements, losses, small victories, and other personal stories helps to make us family. When one person celebrates, we all cheer, and when someone is suffering, we all offer support. Finding a group of folks that you can both work and share your life with is something special, and I’m proud to be a part of it.
I was recently asked if we had ever considered hiring someone with a mental illness. The idea that mental health could be just a checkbox on a list of qualities we look for in a candidate amazed me. A diverse team is never made up of check marks, but of real people doing their best to share their passions and talents with the world.
I found this article online and have shared it with our team before, and I want to share it with you all too, because we all have moments when things don’t feel awesome and we need to reach out. Everything Is Awful and I’m Not Okay is a short list of great suggestions that can help get you through that moment.
So on those days when you need to “fake it to make it”, find joy in something small. Pay a kindness forward – buy someone a coffee, compliment a stranger. Smile, laugh, and remember that you are not alone.
Sara Teare
Founder of 1Password
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