10 ways to improve your workplace mental health
Workplace mental health has become a major concern for working professionals as well as employers. The pandemic, geopolitical unrest, inflation, labor law reforms, and several other stressors have brought the mental health at work to the topmost precedence. While employers have a long way to go to prioritize well-being of employees with elevated mental health, here are ten ways you can improve your mental health at work.
Morning rituals
What you do in first couple of hours after you wake up in the morning is a firm indicator of not only the quality of the day you’re going to have but by extension, the quality of your entire life. Committing to a few positive morning habits everyday can enormously improve your mental health. Rising early in the morning and including gratitude journaling, meditation, exercise, yoga, and mindfulness in your morning schedule will make the difference.
Eating balanced diet
You diet and mental health has close connection. There is a link between what we eat and how we feel. Eat balanced diet, which includes more wholegrains, fruits and vegetables; some protein and right balance of fats. This gives your brain the nutrients it needs to perform optimally. Don’t skip meals and eat regularly. Keep your body hydrated for better energy levels and concentration. Avoid trans fats, caffeine and alcohol. If you are able to ensure the above things, it will help you to improve your overall emotional and mental health.
Believe in yourself
Believing in your abilities, skills and competence is an important part of mental health. It’s an attitude and core belief that helps you create a quality life despite challenges. Focus on your strengths rather than ruminating on your weaknesses. Concentrate on being more of who you already are. Focusing on what you can do rather than what you can’t is a powerful way to believe in yourself. Self-efficacy boosts self-confidence and self-esteem resulting in improvement on overall mental health.
Positive self-talk
Positive self-talk or positive affirmations can help you feel encouraged, motivated, and optimistic. Research suggests that people with positive self-talk may have mental skills that allow them to think differently, solve problems, and be more efficient at coping with hardships or challenges. This again can reduce the harmful effects of stress, anxiety, coping, and so much more. Positive affirmations are one best way to improve workplace mental health.
Stop comparing yourself to others
Comparisons often result in resentment. When you compare yourself with others, knowingly or unknowingly, it triggers a feeling of bitterness towards others as well as towards self. Comparisons deprive us of joy. Teddy Roosevelt quoted that “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Comparison leads to lack of confidence, low self-esteem and unhappiness.
Instead of comparing yourself with others; start to compare yourself to who you were yesterday. It will help you to derive self-improvement plant for self.
Employer sponsored programs
Participate in employer sponsored programs and activities organized for improvement of mental wellbeing of employees. Soft-skills trainings, employee engagement activities, health and fitness events, mental health education and awareness sessions, mindfulness apps subscriptions and mental health resources are provided by employers to improve the mental health index of organizations. Participation in such programs helps you to reduce stigma, increase awareness and boost feel good factor.
Work life balance
Balancing work and family life is important. If you find yourself working excessively, it can lead to overwhelming exhaustion and stress. You might feel emotionally distanced from your children or think you’re a poor or ineffective spouse or parent. These feelings can take a severe toll on your mental health.
Maintaining work-life balance helps reduce stress and helps prevent burnout in the workplace. Overwhelming and prolonged stress increase the risks of mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, substance use problems and sleep problems. Take breaks and offs to spend quality time with friends and family. Go on holidays, watch movies, cook along with spouse, and hang out with friends. All these are things are going to help you maintain a good mental health.
Talk it out
Another way to improve mental health is to make you aware that you aren’t alone. Come out of the stigma and share with someone how you feel. Find out someone you can trust, like a friend, family member, therapist or coach. Then share your story. Openly sharing how we feel and talking about mental health with someone helps you to get relieved. It also helps you to understand, if you need any professional help.
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you.” ~ Maya Angelou
You can also go on social media platforms like Facebook and search for groups that focus on mental health at work. By joining in the conversation, you will be able to learn from the experiences of others.
Organize your workspace
A clean and organized workspace is a great way to alleviate stress, enhance mood, improve concentration and increase productivity. Working in an unprofessional workspace can have a negative impact on how you feel. A cluttered desk can make you feel anxious, disorganized, and flustered. Start cleaning and organizing your workspace once a week to help boost your mental health.
Get enough sleep
There’s a close relationship between sleep and mental health. Sleep deprivation affects your psychological state and mental health. Typical adults need 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep per night. Failing to achieve this on a regular basis can impact energy, mood and motivation. Lack of sleep is linked to a number of unfavorable health consequences including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and depression. Studies suggest a strong correlation between insomnia and clinical depression.
That’s all from my side in this article. Thank you for reading this. Over to you now, please let us know your experiences on improving workplace mental health. Share them in the comment section, they are much appreciated.
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