Indian American Surgeon General hopes ‘Mindfulness Tools’ series will help people manage stress
Indian American Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has teamed up with popular mindfulness company Calm on a series of free wellness offerings designed to give people some mental health support.
The “Mindfulness Tools†series, available from Dec 1 on Calm and YouTube includes five sessions around relatable themes, including, easing holiday stress, combating loneliness, navigating hectic days, and dealing with uncertainty, change, and negativity in the world.
Read: Biden naming Vivek Murthy as US Representative on WHO board (October 5, 2022)
“We certainly have to increase access to mental health care,†Murthy told Fortune. “We have to address some of the deeper drivers of unhealthy stress in our lives including in our workplaces. But we also need to create tools that help people manage stress when it does arise.â€
“Building and creating sustainable mental health habits are more important than ever as we head into the holidays and begin a new year,†said David Ko, CEO, Calm.
Murthy hopes that these workshops will provide individuals with some resources to care for their own mental health, and they will aid them in finding some quiet and relief during trying and busy times.
The Surgeon General’s Framework for Mental Health & Well-Being in the Workplace, which was published this October, outlines the fundamental role that workplaces should play in promoting the health and well-being of employees and our communities.
Read: Senate confirms Vivek Murthy for second stint as US Surgeon General (March 23, 2021)
Murthy has long issued warnings about the nation’s declining mental health and particularly the part that work plays in it
In May, he released a broad warning on burnout among healthcare professionals as well.
Giving his example, Murthy told Fortune that during his service as the surgeon general during the Obama administration, he did “a rather poor job†of making sure that he was investing in his own mental health and well-being. “That took a toll on my work, but it also took a toll on my life outside of work.â€
Read: U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy Joins Calm to Bring Mental Health Support Ahead of the Holidays (December 01, 2022)
So this time, he has set up some practices to head off burnout, including regular exercise. Additionally, he has a nighttime routine that helps him end the day on a positive note.
“Sometimes just a couple of minutes spent in silence or guided meditation or in reflection can help us access [peace],†he says. “They are simple tools that help people relax and reflect and center themselves.