With Thanksgiving being the most popular holiday in America, November is the perfect candidate for National Gratitude Month! Thanksgiving both as a holiday and a practice strengthens our ability to recall positive outcomes in our lives and helps us shift our perspective, giving us the ability to recognize more of the goodness we are always receiving. Through gratitude practices, we can consider our past, present, and future from a lens of positivity and appreciation. By focusing on what we are thankful for, rather than what we lack, gratitude has a healthy domino effect on our physical and mental well-being. It helps decrease inflammation in our bodies, minimizes stress, boosts feelings of happiness, and can even rewire our brains to build resilience. This November take thankfulness beyond Thanksgiving and challenge yourself to practice gratitude each day of the month. Celebrating National Gratitude Month is the perfect way to jumpstart a lifestyle of gratitude, and adopt a new, more positive perspective of your experiences.

The National Day of Listening, observed on November 29, was created to remind us of the value that our experiences hold, and the importance of sharing our journey and listening to others. In a world often consumed by distractions and transactional conversations, the National Day of Listening gives us the opportunity to slow down and foster deeper connections with family, friends, colleagues, and the people we serve.

As a behavioral health organization, listening plays a key role in the effectiveness of our recovery programs. Listening is a subtle yet powerful tool that we use to validate, empathize, and reassure each other and persons served. When we listen to others, we acknowledge the value of their stories and honor their unique viewpoints. When we are listened to, we experience emotional safety and connection. There are very few aspects of social connection that are more essential than our desire to be heard and understood; it is one of the most basic yet pressing needs that we have as social beings. In fact, author David Augsburger wrote that “Being heard is so close to being loved, that for the average person, they are almost indistinguishable.”

As we continue to provide our empowering mental health programs that link active, empathic, and deep listening to Motivational Interviewing (MI), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), and Compassionate Care, the quiet power of listening becomes a bridge for us to build stronger relationships within the Crestwood community, and help the people we serve to feel seen, heard, understood, and loved!

At Crestwood, it’s about growth… and we love to see staff grow and advance in their careers! Crestwood has created our Education and Internship Assistance Programs to help support our Crestwood family in reaching their education and career goals.

You can learn more about the various programs and resources available to staff by visiting the new Education and Internship Assistance Programs section on the Employee Center website.

You’ll learn about:

• Discounted Tuition
• Our George C. Lytal Scholarship Program
• Crestwood’s Internship Program
• And our Student Loan Assistance Program for nursing/clinical staff

Plus, read an inspiring testimonial from a Crestwood family member on how Crestwood’s Education and Internship Assistance programs helped her achieve her career goals!

From the Employee Center homepage, click on Career & Development in the top menu, then click on Education and Internship Programs.

Click here for a flyer to print and display at your campus!

World Kindness Day is celebrated annually on November 13. Try this lovingkindness meditation and think loving thoughts towards yourself, another person, and the world.

First, find a comfortable position, relax your shoulders and hands, and let your face wear a gentle smile. Next take a few deep breaths, focusing your attention on the inhale and exhale. Transition your attention to the following list of phrases:

May I be well. May I be joyful. May I be peaceful. May I be content.

Try meditating on these thoughts, reciting each one in your mind as you inhale a slow, deep breath. Then exhale fully before taking in the next breath and reciting the next phrase. Focus on repeating them for a few minutes, as you continue to follow the natural, easy rhythm of your breath.

After about two minutes or so, switch your attention to another individual – a friend, family member, coworker, neighbor, or even someone you don’t know well. Practice sending these positive thoughts of wellbeing to them. Repeat the same phrases, only insert “you” in place of “I.” Do this for a few minutes as well, focusing your attention and intention on each phrase.

May you be well. May you be joyful. May you be peaceful. May you be content.

Lastly, it’s time to send lovingkindness into the world. Think of everyone around the globe, from those in your community to those across oceans. Recite the same phrases once more, directing genuine kindness toward all of humankind as you inhale and exhale, slowly and rhythmically.

May we be well. May we be joyful. May we be peaceful. May we be content.

Finally, return your attention to this present moment. Notice any feelings of peace, calmness, or warmth from practicing this lovingkindness meditation exercise. Dedicate a few minutes when you can to return to this practice of kindly wishing wellbeing toward yourself and others.