Prioritizing mental health at work has never been more important. When work environments have a negative impact on employees’ moods, it costs employers about $1 trillion in lost productivity annually. Entire offices can easily be affected by one person’s malaise, so it’s important to keep tabs on each other’s wellbeing and your company’s morale. We’re in this together!
Connect with your teammates and look out for signs of mental health struggles, including withdrawal from the team, missed deadlines, mistakes, absentminded behavior, irritability, and a lack of self-confidence. Sometimes anxiety and depression can be mistaken for un-productivity, and other times there be a lack of noticeable behaviors. Nonetheless, it’s critical to be aware of a few telltale indications. Arriving to work late every day, being sluggish on the job or frequently absent could all be actions linked to struggles at work related to mental health.
As important as it is to check on your colleagues, it’s also just as crucial to continually check in on your own wellbeing! We’ve gathered a few tips from reputable mental health resources — If you find yourself needing a mental health boost within the workplace, give these a try!
Bond with Teammates
Humans are social by nature, but sometimes mental health issues can cause isolation or withdrawal. Make a point to connect with your coworkers — ask someone to grab coffee or lunch, or take a walk together during a break. Mental Health America, a community-based non-profit, emphasizes that making small efforts to engage with others can make a big difference in boosting your happiness and health.
Get Outside
Research has shown, natural light and fresh air can do wonders at improving one’s mood. Eat lunch outside, take breaks outdoors, or [as previously suggested] go on a walk with a coworker. Even taking some time to read outside during a free period is a good way to get a change of scenery and better your mindset. If you have the opportunity to take a meeting from your patio, go for it!
Stay Active
Exercise can help improve one’s mental health, as some studies show. Get moving outdoors whenever you can at work, whether it’s taking a lap around the block during lunch, running a quick errand, or having a couple teammates join in with a “walking meeting” as a group. Standing desks can also help boost your disposition and keep you moving.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Employees can better manage mental health struggles with a healthy, well-balanced diet, according to the CDC. Seek out healthy breakfast, lunch, and snack options in the workplace, and keep your snack supply stocked with wholesome foods such as almonds, apples and peanut butter, and homemade granola.
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