Studies show that mental health in the workplace is directly correlated to the workplace environment. Stressful work, employee engagement and employee benefits all have an impact on an employee’s mental health. The Workplace Health Survey Report reads that the relationship between workplace health and the employee’s mental health is indicative of the level of stress at the workplace and overall employee job satisfaction.
The stigma behind mental illness is vanishing, and society is beginning to treat mental illness similar to a physical illness. People are coming to learn that they are prone to mental health sickness just as any other sickness. Maintaining a healthy balance between work and personal life is essential for employees to keep sane.
Mental well-being comprises an individual’s psychological, emotional and social health. It affects how an individual makes decisions. How someone thinks, acts and feels is directly related with their stress levels and relationship with others.
Emotions can affect an individual’s mental health. In this article, read on advices about how to maintain good mental health in the workplace.
How to Improve Your Mental Health at Work
Genetics and past trauma play a significant role on an individual’s mental health. Employers need to make sure that they can increase employee’s mental strength in the workplace—to avoid certain stressors and fight against them. For example, when a person is not diabetic, they still have to keep an account of sugar intake. Too much sugar for any person can be detrimental. In reality – too much of anything is bad for you. Likewise, excessive stress on an employee can take a toll on the employee’s mental health in the workplace.
Here are 6 keys to have a good standing of mental health in the workplace:
1. Being Social
Building and sustaining social connection with others helps an individual practice proper communication. Staying in contact with others means you are breaking the barrier with fluidity of language. When employees are good at communicating they will not have a problem letting someone know if something is making them uncomfortable. Those little issues can build into big resentments if not combated right away.
2. Exercising
Staying active can have a major impact on mental and emotional health problems. It relieves stress. When you increase your heart rate, you are more aware of your surroundings. In turn, this improves memory and sleep schedule. If not a gym person– simply engage the five senses. Strengthen the nervous system so it responds to sensory input faster.
3. Maintaining a Proper Diet
Find a practical brain-healthy diet. People take certain vitamins to enhance a particular part of their body. For example, some people take biotin for hair and nail growth. Some people eat foods rich with probiotics to balance their enzyme levels. Just the same, it is essential to consume foods that are healthy for the brain. Insufficient intake of nutrients can affect productivity in the workplace and make someone lethargic.
4. Proper Sleep
Sleep is meant to charge the body’s battery. It is essential to have energy during the day and for mental sharpness. Quality sleep lets the brain unwind and process the day that just happened in the workplace. Disengage for some time to be more active in brainstorming the next day.
5. Know Your Worth
Do work that gives meaning to your life and provides service for others. What roles do you play in life? Outside of just the workplace, if you have a family, remember to contribute as a member—that is the purpose you serve. Pets are a responsibility too. Do the best you can do in all endeavors.
6. Have an Outlet
Not everyone likes to exercise, but prioritizing leisure time and having a healthy hobby is essential for the welfare of mental health. Focusing attention on something other than work is stimulating and enjoyable. Take up a relaxation practice– start meditating. Enjoy a sunset or a beautiful view. Gardening, writing, playing and instrument and drawing are healthy hobbies that can inspire and keep you engaged.
Insecurity is not an emotion that is totally due to one’s genetic makeup; it can vary in intensity with social conditioning. If not practicing the above elements properly to maintain good mental health, there is more exposure to insecurity. It usually is the foundation for most mental health issues. Insecurity of the future may present itself as anxiety and insecurity of the past as depression. Do things one at a time and stay in the present. Setting goals to accomplish is essential for success, but try not to accomplish all at once. Whether a business owner or being a part of the workforce, it is important to pace yourself.
Improve Wellbeing: Mental Health in the Workplace Policy
Encourage wellbeing of mental health in the workplace with more than just a coffee machine to boost energy. Employees need to unwind during the day as much as they need caffeine in the morning.
Employees can experience mental health issues for one of many reasons. Some of these can be pressure to meet deadlines or job insecurity. Some employees may have unpleasant relationships or personal issues they wish to leave at home, instead they are compounded with a hostile work environment. No matter how good someone is at compartmentalizing, leaving one negative situation to another one will amplify the stress on one’s mental health.
Here are some things to be mindful of in strengthening employees’ and your mental health in the workplace:
Give General Welfare Precedence
Promote a work/life balance. Employees need vacations as a release from work. Instantaneous responses from those employees should not be expected.
Offer EAP benefits to promote wellness of mental health. Many employees have issues unwinding and sleeping, and maybe marital issues. These employees could benefit from therapy sessions offered.
Also, encourage employees to meditate. Meditating allows each individual to heal his or her mind. The human brain is always at work, even when the individual is sleeping. Taking time to, consciously, shut down can benefit an employee significantly. Meditation will also enable employees to improve their sleeping habits by exercising their minds. Employees need good rest to charge for the next day.
Employ Screening Tools
Discuss mental health in the workplace. Stress, anxiety, and depression sometimes have symptoms that are not immediately recognized. Some of these mental illnesses do not go away with the proper diagnosis— it is important to educate employees. They may think these issues are mere ‘stress.’ Teach them how to identify signs and how to respond to combat these complications.
Encourage Communication
Provide employees with a few sessions with a therapist throughout the year. This will encourage mental stability and show employees that you care.
Make the work environment pleasant. Employees build resentments towards each other or toward their employer when they are not communicating something that makes them uncomfortable. Know boundaries and let others know of them as well, so they know not to cross them.
It is also extremely important to show employees and peers your appreciation for them. An article in Forbes reads that employee appreciation and praise work bigger wonders than monetary raises.
Take Breaks
Allow employees, and yourself, to take breaks. Everyone needs a moment to unplug. These should be 15-minute breaks on top of lunch breaks. Just going outside and dragging in oxygen can have an incredible effect on someone’s mental health. Not only can looking at a screen for too long take a toll on employees’ eyes, but also on their mental health.
Avoid Alcohol
Try to steer away from providing or drinking alcohol at company events. Even if these are celebratory events, alcohol can have the polar opposite impact on an employee than intended. Employees with pre-existing mental health conditions may develop substance abuse problems, which can become unmanageable. They would need much more than just therapy sessions to combat substance abuse problems.
Team Building Activities
Incorporate team activities every once in a while that will provide your employees a release from work while, simultaneously, building a sense of intimacy between the employees.
An activity that is unconventional but upbeat, which can be integrated as a part of the workday, is requiring employees to write gratitude lists to submit. By making them take account of a few things that they are grateful for, you are teaching them to practice positivity. Make them write new lists every day, and each day they will become more specific to particular situations. What may be perceived as a discouraging situation will show employees that some good can come from it.
Those whose mental health in the workplace is in good standing are usually employees that are satisfied with their job. Their contentment and ability to deal with normal amounts of stress is strong. They would have a sense of purpose and know that they are appreciated.
Whether an employer or employee, encouraging a healthy state of mind is essential to alleviate pressure in a workplace so that it is manageable. If an employee, create a work balance so that personal time is not sacrificed. Ultimately, this will build an employee’s self esteem.
