Back to studying, Embracing Stress, and Finding Joy in Learning!

Hello amazing humans,

I'm back! This was a longggg break and a for a good reason. I just appeared for my master's in psychology 1st-semester exam. 5 days - 5 papers I solved by sitting in an exam hall. No distractions, no screen, no breaks, just my memory, my answer paper. OMG, whatte experience! I had many people asking and telling me, I could never go back to studies, but trust me, you can, if you wish to. So basically I'm just 3 semesters away from my master's degree. I am hoping to make use of my studies and newly gained information in psychology in the real world. Hopefully soon!

Now that I'm back, let's dive into the world of workplace happiness and keep our journey of joy and discovery rolling!

Workplace stress is worth NOTHING!

Our generation is all about taking stress. Either we are overstressed at work or we're about to get it. We're just waiting for the other shoe to drop. But when I came across an entire chapter about how our body manages stress, my opinion about stress has 180ed. The amount of organs that get involved just to make us feel better, and prepare us for flight or fight response, is it worth it? From our nervous system, digestive system, respiratory system, and cardiovascular system to blood supply and endocrine system, everything gets shaken and again, it has to get back to normal. It's just a lot of work for a situation that may or may not happen.

Next time, you get stressed about everyday things like presentations, traffic, or getting ghosted, just think of the repercussions inside your body and then decide is it worth.

''Getting happy is like getting fit: You need to work at it every day''

I love this headline from one of the articles I was studying last week. This opens so many avenues and addresses so many misconceptions and misinformation. Many people mistakenly believe that happiness is a static state or a destination that, once reached, requires no further effort. This misconception often leads to frustration when the initial joy of a new achievement or possession fades. Just like maintaining physical fitness demands consistent exercise, sustaining happiness involves regular, conscious effort.

In the workplace, this translates to creating an environment where small, daily comforts and pleasures are valued— Hygge. The concept emphasizes coziness, communal feeling, and simple joys. Integrating hygge into work could mean arranging workspaces to feel more welcoming or encouraging breaks where employees can relax and recharge together. This approach acknowledges that happiness, much like physical health, is bolstered by an environment that promotes well-being through everyday actions and interactions.

What do you think of these 3 simplest ways to make sure we're putting in work to find tiny joys each day?

1. Weekly "Show and Tell" Sessions: Employees share personal hobbies or interests with colleagues, enhancing personal connections and understanding among team members.
2. Recognition Boards: Set up boards where coworkers can post notes of thanks or recognition for their peers' hard work and helpfulness, which boosts morale and encourages a supportive culture.
3. Mindfulness and Reflection Areas: Create dedicated spaces where employees can engage in mindfulness practices or simply have some quiet reflection time away from their desks, helping them manage stress and recharge during the workday.

This week, I'm skipping the character spotlight part of the newsletter, still looking for some solid characters to get inspired by. If you can recommend any? please go ahead.

Let's Chat

First, a super cool recommendation - https://www.pampam.world/ this page can let you create a custom map or create a perfect map for you. Best for travelers and weekend activities, right? I just create d a fun way to spend a day in Bangalore, and the map showed me some impressive options.

That's it from this time.

This newsletter aims to initiate conversations about #happinessatwork as it's the future of work. I also believe in bringing new interesting topics and dope recommendations for you.

Keep It Hygge ideates and executes Happiness-at-work initiatives at various organizations. Get in touch with us. If you are looking for some unique, creative, and humane ideas and programs to increase the happiness quotient of your organization, hit us up!

Alright, your turn!

If you like what you read, so share it with your colleagues, bosses, interns, clients, etc. See you next week.

Till then, Keep It Hygge!

Cheers,

AJ