With our jobs playing such a significant role in our lives, it is crucial to be mindful of the stress that can accumulate due to it and its impact on our mental health. Mental health problems have been a stigma in our society for a long time, but it is now changing as more people understand this issue and the underlying causes.
Mental health issues like stress and anxiety are common, but they can lead to depression,suicidal tendencies, and other disorders if not appropriately treated.
A company needs to catch these symptoms before they develop further and help the suffering employees take time off or get treatment.
The mental health of a person impacts the individual themselves and their work and the productivity of those around them. Having an open mindset towards your employees’ mental health is crucial if you want them to perform at their best in the short and long term. The first step towards this is to have transparency between you and your employees so that they won’t need to hesitate before sharing their mental issues with you and seek a solution.
The next step is to educate your staff on mental issues and how to detect them so they can take action the instant they see someone showing signs of anxiety, stress, or depression. This can be by acknowledging that they look stressed and asking them what could be bothering them. It also helps to suggest taking a day or more off work, so they can sort things out and relax. Even a single day of complete relaxation can really take the load off of someone and help them recuperate.
If the person has a previous history of mental issues, it is better to provide them with more time off and treatment. This helps both the employees and the company in the long run since mental issues can hinder a person’s performance.
It is also crucial to establish a supportive work culture so that the absentee does not feel detached and alienated upon returning.
Having an integrated and positive work atmosphere is crucial in combating mental issues.
Being a part of a social circle with a healthy mindset and having lively and light conversations can help one unwind from the work stress.
It is also crucial to remember the impact of exercise and other physical activities on mental health.
Studies show that exercising every two to three days for fifteen to twenty minutes relieves stress and gives your mind a boost for at least the next two hours.
It also increases your brain’s volume, especially in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, two extremely vital parts of the brain that contribute to thinking, learning, and retaining memories and are most prone to age-related degeneration.
In essence, integrating mental health facilities in your wellness program can go a long way for both your employee’s mental well-being and your company’s productivity.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ilona Drob is Head Fitness Trainer and Co-founder of BeThriving Wellness, specialising in providing companies with non-invasive, holistic workplace wellness programs that inspire teams and individuals to succeed even during the most challenging times.
BeThriving virtual workplace wellness workshops and classes aim to bring your employees together, boost their productivity, physical and mental health supporting them as they deal with isolation and daily work life balance struggles.
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