Tips to make your space more welcoming to support mental health

From UMN’s Mental Health Advocacy group, here are some ways to make your space welcoming as you work with students, staff, or coworkers.

• When possible, offer others a choice of where to sit when they join you. (For example, some people feel more comfortable if they can see the door and/or be close to the door.)
• When hosting someone, offer them a beverage, even if water is the only option. Tea is great because holding a warm beverage can help the nervous system relax.
• Have a plant in your office or a photo of nature. It can help people feel more grounded.
• Have a few fidget-type toys within easy reach for the person visiting you. This is a really useful action step. Many U of M departments hand things like this out as swag during outreach events, so you can pick them up for free.