Job success is measured in a variety of ways. Achieving development goals, making financial gains, and completing duties on schedule are all ways a business is doing well. As an employee, you are crucial to these performance measures, and the importance of your mental wellness cannot be overstated. Employee emotional well-being helps a company and its workers achieve their best, in all aspects of their lives.
We all have times when life gets hard — sometimes it's work-related, such as deadlines or even travelling. It's not always our health, our relationships, or our situation. People who work, and experience - or have previously experienced - mental health difficulties contribute £225 billion to the economy each year, accounting for 12.1 per cent of the UK's total GDP.
In order to maintain that value, it is critical that we tackle mental health issues at work for those who already have these difficulties, those at risk, and the whole workforce. A hostile workplace can be detrimental to ones mental health, and there is compelling evidence that employees with higher levels of mental wellness are more productive.
In this special guest blog, Casey Haward explores the importance of looking after your mental health at work, and 9 ways to support your mental wellbeing in a busy work environment.
Why is it important to prioritise your mental health?
The psychological and physical well-being of an organisations employees is paramount to its success as a business. An organisation can support its employees' overall well-being by treating mental health and its psychological component equivalently with the physical environment.
Mental illnesses not only greatly impacts individuals but can also have an affect on corporate revenues. In order to incorporate mental health best practices into your business, it is crucial that all layers of authority – including the Board of Directors, executive, administration, and human resource management departments – become engaged. It can also be beneficial to involve your health and safety committee as well as your employees.
9 ways to ensure optimal mental well-being in a busy work environment
We can all work to enhance our mental health and resilience and our ability to deal with hardship. Self-care is a skill that must be nurtured - it's not easy, particularly if you feel overwhelmed, fluctuating emotional states, or low self-esteem. Observing self-care as a practice can help lessen the pressure, and any time you can dedicate to this makes a difference in the long run.
Explore these 9 evidence-based techniques below to enhance your mental health.
1. Engage yourself with good people
People with strong familial or social ties are often healthier than those who do not have a support network. Make plans with family and friends, look for activities that will allow you to socialise, such as a meeting up for a simple catch up or even plan activities that can benefit your mental or physical wellbeing.
2. Express your feelings
Communicating about your feelings might help you improve your mental health and manage difficult moments. Speaking about your feelings isn't a sign of insecurity; it's part of taking control of your health and doing everything you can to be well.
It might not be easy to express one's emotions at work. However it might be beneficial to build meaningful relationships with co-workers that you can later chat with or a boss who you can talk to about issues you're dealing with at work.
Engage with someone with whom you feel at ease with and who will be encouraging when you're struggling. You should consider what you want to reveal, who you want to disclose it to, and when and where it is the proper time and location.
If you are upfront about your feelings at work, especially if you are a representative, it may inspire others to do the same.
If you don't feel comfortable sharing your sentiments at work, make sure you have someone with whom you can discuss job stresses — companions, friends, and family.
3. Stay active, embrace exercise
Regular exercise can boost your mental health as well as your ability to focus and rest. Exercising is more than just playing a sport or going for a walk. According to researchers, most individuals are advised to exercise for 30 minutes or longer at least five days each week.
4. Reduce stress by dealing with it
Stress is an unavoidable aspect of life, whether you like it or not. Attempting one-minute stress strategies, yoga, exercise, going on a hiking trip, playing with your dog, or try writing journals as a stress reliever. Also, find things that bring you joy and make you laugh. Studies show laughter improves your immune system, relieves pain, relaxes your muscles, and reduces stress.
5. Set your goals
Determine what you want to accomplish professionally, skilfully, and emotionally, and then set out the actions you need to take to get there. Allow yourself to aim high, but also stay realistic and don't overwork yourself. As you work toward your goal, you'll feel a fantastic feeling of success and self-worth.
6. Maintain a mindful and healthy diet
What we eat can have an immediate and long-term impact on how we feel and can as a result be beneficial to your mental health.
It might be challenging to always maintain a healthy eating routine at work. Regular meals and lots of water are recommended therefore try and plan for mealtimes at work by packing meals from home or selecting healthy alternatives while purchasing lunch.
When it comes to eating, try to regularly change your eating area.. You may want to consider a cafeteria at work, where you get together with other employees to share meals or try something new. Reducing or eliminating coffee and refined sugar are great ways to ensure that you're eating healthy. Make sure that you allow yourself the option of fruits and vegetables and snacks such as nuts or trail mix that give readily available nutrients.
7. Give value to yourself.
Avoid self-criticism by treating yourself with respect and self-care. Make time for your favourite hobbies and widen your horizons. Do a different task daily, take on a new hobbie, learn a new sport, or create healthier habits.
8. Ask for help
Nobody among us is superhuman. We all become stressed by how we think and deal with things or when situations don't go as planned.
Your company could have an employee help programme. These services are private and discreet, and they may be used without fear of repercussions at work. You may also be able to obtain occupational health assistance from your line manager or HR agency.
9. Accept yourself for who you are
We're all unique. It's far better to appreciate your individuality than wish you were more like somebody else. Feeling better about yourself gives you the courage to acquire new talents, travel to new places, and meet new people. When life takes an abrupt turn, having high self-esteem might help you deal with things better.
Take pride in who you are. Recognise and accept your shortcomings, but also concentrate on your strengths. Are your expectations reasonable if you want to alter anything about yourself? If they are, feel free to make incremental changes to bring about the desired change.
Casey Harward is a technical writer and editor, with experience in research-based content. She also has an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Lancaster, UK. In her free time, she loves reading articles, blogs, magazines, newspapers, and books.