5 tips for workplace mental health
Good news right off the bat: did you know that many companies in South Africa have employee wellness programs? This little nugget of information might be on your contract or on a staff portal somewhere and you probably missed it.
An employee wellness program usually includes options that help you take care of your mental health. Thanks to Covid, now, more than ever, many companies are investing in their employees’ health.
Good vibes
Good mental health (especially at work) is just as important as a healthy body. You spend so much time at work – probably more if you’re working remotely – so it is absolutely worth investing in your mental wellbeing.
What does it mean to have “good mental health”? Spoiler alert: it does not mean that you are happy and smiley 24/7, all year-round. To be in a good mental place simply means that more often than not, you are content, at peace, able to function, even in stressful circumstances, and strive to maintain a healthy balanced life.
If you’re constantly feeling out of sorts at work, unproductive and inefficient, it might not be just the workload – your mental health may need a check-up.
5 tips to feel better, work better
First and most importantly: if you are struggling, reach out for help. Speak to your HR manager about an employee wellness program and explore all your options. Some programs offer a set amount of free counseling sessions.
Try to pinpoint which aspects of your work most contribute to your declining mental health. Are you overwhelmed with the workload? Do you dislike your team members? Are you uninspired by your duties? Really spend some time working out the root causes and then get creative with a solution. If it’s the workload, what can you do about it? Maybe schedule fewer meetings or speak to your boss about delegating some work to others.
You know that lunch hour all employees are legally allowed to take? Take it! It’s there for a reason. Fun fact: lunch breaks originated in the 1800s during the Industrial Revolution. Due to the challenging work conditions, little breaks were introduced to help workers better manage their health. We’ve come a long way since then so there’s no need to slog away at your desk while you inhale a sandwich. Your brain and body will thank you for physically getting up from your desk, eating a nutritious lunch, and then taking a short walk.
Start as you mean to go. It’s all good to live by a “hustle culture” mentality and “always-on” mode – but the toll that this can take on your mental health should be enough to question its merits. You don’t have to roll out of bed and immediately reach for your phone and laptop. The work can wait, the emails aren’t going anywhere. Take a breath. Stretch. Do some yoga or go for a morning walk. It sounds like boring age-old advice because it is and it works. Start your day mindfully and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how it translates over to your work.
Take stock and be adaptable. We all want to be the best, do the best and be acknowledged for our efforts, but this should not be at the expense of overall health. Doing too much, working all hours, having a handful of side jobs, and ambitious goals are all feasible but you should also be realistic. Strive to find work that fulfils you without depleting you.
“Women, in particular, need to keep an eye on their physical and mental health, because if we’re scurrying to and from appointments and errands, we don’t have a lot of time to take care of ourselves. We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own ‘to do’ list.”
– Michelle Obama
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. Always check with your doctor or medical practitioner about any health concerns, before embarking on any fitness or nutrition programme, and usage of any medication.