Mental Health Matters. Let’s Go for It!

Photo by Emily Underworld on Unsplash

All of us who are working in the fast-paced corporate world, realize that mental health has become increasingly important for personal and professional well-being. With deadlines to meet, goals to achieve, and endless workloads to manage, it’s no wonder that stress and burnout have become all too common among us as leaders and our employees. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s difficult to focus, make decisions, and be productive. And when you’re not at your best, it’s not just you who suffers — your colleagues and the entire company can feel the impact. That’s why in my perspective the mental health should be a top priority for any business. Investing in our employees’ mental well-being not only shows that we care about their health and happiness, but it can also lead to increased productivity, better retention rates, and a more positive work environment and of course better business performance.

As someone passionate about this topic, I invite you to join me on a journey of remembering. In this article, we will delve into the world of the empowered corporate mind, aiming to push individuals, create supportive environments, and embrace the incredible possibilities that arise from focusing on mental health.

Firstly, a reminder for the most common techniques to reduce Stress and Improve our Well-Being quickly

• Be active — Stretch: Sitting at a desk for long periods of time can cause tension and discomfort. Stretching can help relieve tension and reduce stress. Try stretching your neck, shoulders, and back throughout the day.
• Stay hydrated: Dehydration can contribute to feelings of fatigue and stress. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day
• Close your eyes, take deep breaths. By closing your eyes and taking deep breaths, you can engage in a moment of mindfulness and relaxation, allowing yourself to pause, let go of stress, and bring a sense of calm and clarity to your mind and body.
• Write three things you are grateful for. This practice encourages you to reflect on and acknowledge the positive aspects of your life. By identifying and writing down three things you are grateful for, you shift your focus to gratitude, which can enhance your overall well-being and bring a sense of appreciation and contentment
• Check in with yourself — take time to ask yourself how you are feeling. It’s important to regularly check in with yourself and tune into your emotions and thoughts. By taking the time to ask yourself how you are feeling, you cultivate self-awareness, allowing you to identify and address any emotional needs or concerns that may require attention.
• Smile and laugh! Smiling and laughing have numerous benefits for your mental and emotional well-being. They can boost your mood, reduce stress, and even improve your physical health. Engaging in laughter and smiling helps release endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals, promoting a sense of joy and relaxation.

Besides the mentioned above personal techniques, there are some actions that we as managers can do to support mental health in the workplace:

Provide access to mental health resources: This can include everything from training sessions on stress management to online educational resources and apps that can help employees manage stress and anxiety.

Here are some examples of apps that can help employees manage stress and anxiety

· Headspace: This app offers guided meditations, mindfulness exercises, and sleep aids to help reduce stress, increase focus, and promote overall well-being.

· Calm: Calm provides meditation sessions, soothing music, sleep stories, and breathing exercises to help users relax, manage stress, and improve sleep quality.

· Sanvello: it provides tools for stress and anxiety management, including mood tracking, cognitive-behavioral therapy exercises, meditation, and peer support.

· Happify: This app offers science-based activities and games to promote happiness, reduce stress, and build resilience. It focuses on positive psychology and helps users cultivate a positive mindset.

· Moodpath: Designed to track and improve mental well-being, Moodpath offers daily assessments, educational materials, and personalized recommendations to support individuals dealing with stress, anxiety, and depression

With the increasing reliance on technology, digital well-being has become a significant consideration. Encouraging mindful technology use, setting boundaries for work-related communication outside of working hours, and promoting digital detoxes can support mental well-being in an increasingly connected world.

Encourage open communication: Make sure employees feel comfortable talking about mental health issues and provide resources for them to do so. Create a culture where seeking help for mental health is seen as a sign of strength, not weakness.

Offer flexibility: Flexible work arrangements, such as remote work options or flexible hours, can help reduce stress and improve work-life balance. This provides employees with more control over their work-life integration, reducing stress and promoting better mental health

Promote a healthy work-life balance: Encourage employees to take breaks, prioritize self-care, and set boundaries between work and personal time. Monitor workloads and ensure they are distributed fairly among team members. Be mindful of unrealistic deadlines and provide necessary resources or assistance to prevent burnout. Encourage employees to take regular breaks and use their vacation time effectively.

Recognize and Appreciate: Acknowledge and appreciate the efforts and achievements of your team members. Regularly provide feedback and recognition for their contributions, which boosts morale and positively impacts mental well-being.

Continuously Learn and Adapt: Stay informed about emerging trends and best practices in workplace mental health. Continuously learn and adapt your management approach to create a supportive and inclusive work environment that prioritizes mental health.

Here are some books on the mental health topic

· Atlas of the Heart: Mapping on and the Language of Human Experience by Brené Brown

· Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Amelia Nagoski and Emily Nagoski

· The Power of Positive Thinking by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

· The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

· Stop Overthinking by Nick Trenton

Mental health is an ongoing journey. It requires our continuous attention, support, and efforts to promote well-being, resilience, and sustainable performance among employees. It’s crucial to recognize that mental and physical health are interconnected, and poor mental health can negatively impact physical well-being. Addressing mental health concerns not only benefits employees’ psychological well-being but also promotes overall health and reduces healthcare costs.

Remember that as individuals and leaders, we hold the power to shape the mental health landscape within our organizations. Let us embrace the knowledge we’ve gained from real life, books, articles on Medium, and other resources, and become advocates for mental health in the corporate world.