Employee Wellness Newsletter |
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You are welcome to share these wellness resources with your employees, family, or friends. |
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May 2021: Mindful May for Mental Health Month |
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Your mental health plays a large role in your overall well-being. Did you know that 1 in 5 people will experience a diagnosable mental health condition, and that all 5 will go through a challenging time that affects their mental well-being? Not only will times like this disrupt your mental well-being, but it will also impact other areas of your life such as your ability to eat well, sleep well, socialize and more. There are resources available to help those who are trying to navigate through difficult times. Always remember to listen actively, ask what you can do to help, and do not judge. |
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Save the Date: Join us on Thursday, May 20th at 12:00 pm CST for a no-cost wellness seminar on Finding the “Sweet Spot” with Stress! This is CGO’s Revitalize Your Well-Being Quarter 2 offering, and we hope you can attend!
Please feel free to share with family and friends.
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Let’s eat some good food for a good mood! Did you know there is a connection between our brain and gut? The health of one can influence the function of the other. A subpar gut environment can impact our mental health and our mental health can foster symptoms in our gut. In the sequence below, we can see how we have an opportunity to support our mental health through food.
- Our diet fuels a negative or positive environment of gut bacteria.
- Our gut requires an environment of flourishing gut bacteria to create about 90% of serotonin, dopamine, and GABA – these all impact our mood!
- If we foster an environment through food that allows good bacteria to grow, it may reduce the risk of anxiety, depression, irritability, and even risk for disease!
Foods to Start Adding in:
Probiotics- Live bacteria that contribute to good strains of bacteria
- Yogurt, kefir, kombucha, miso, fermented vegetables, tempeh, & kimchi
Prebiotics- Fiber that provides food for the bacteria inside of you
- Asparagus, artichoke, garlic, onion, leeks, bananas, apples, dandelion greens, chicory root, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli
Collagen- Heals the gut lining and strengthens it
- Bone broth, skin and ligaments of animal meat (i.e. chicken thigh) & collagen powders

Quality Fats & Proteins- Support hormone & neurotransmitter production, brain function, and are anti-inflammatory
- Avocado, nuts, seeds, eggs, salmon, mackerel, liver, beef, pork, anchovies, olives, ghee, olive & coconut oil
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Living a healthy lifestyle and incorporating resources to thrive may not be easy but can be achieved by building on small successes. Improve your mental well-being and increase your resiliency with these tools below!
3 simple ways to be mindful of your mental well-being:
- Express gratitude: taking a few minutes each day to write down things you are grateful for have been proven to change your mindset from negative to positive. See the next section below for our gratitude initiative!
- Get exercise: this can help your brain function, reduce anxiety, and improve your self-image.
- Get a good night’s sleep: strive for seven to eight hours of sleep each night to reset and maintain mental clarity.
Resources:
Help is available to you or someone in need. Call the NAMI Helpline at 800-950-NAMI or in a crisis, text “NAMI” to 741741. Your Primary Care Physician can be a good first step as well.
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A Grateful List! Complete the list below in your mind or on paper to practice gratitude this month.
I AM GRATEFUL FOR:
A Person
A Quality of Mine
A Book I Read
A Laughable Moment
A Recent Meal
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Looking for Additional Well-Being Tools to Thrive?
Check out our Wellness Page which features Wellness Seminars, Mindful Moments, and much more!
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About the Monthly Wellness Newsletter |
The everyday choices we make can help us live healthier, happier and more fulfilling lives. The CGO Employee Wellness Newsletter provides monthly resources and education on a variety of topics like nutrition, exercise, emotional health and resilience, prevention and more. Our hope is that this information empowers you to incorporate sustainable healthy habits for a lifetime of good health and well-being.
Always consult with your physician before beginning any wellness program. This general information is not intended to replace your healthcare professional.

Sources: Brain Maker Dr. Perlmutter MD, Action for Happiness, Mental Health America, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), National Institute of Mental Health, Zywave
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