Work can be demanding, and if you’re not careful, it can take a serious toll on your mental health. But guarding your mental well-being at the workplace doesn’t mean overhauling your entire routine. Sometimes, small yet powerful adjustments can make all the difference.
From setting boundaries to finding moments of mindfulness, protecting your mental health is all about taking control before burnout sets in. Here’s how you can make it happen, one step at a time with the advice of health experts.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends implementing organisational interventions to prevent work-related mental health conditions by assessing and mitigating psychosocial risks. These interventions can include flexible working arrangements and frameworks to address violence and harassment, the above source states.
To protect and promote mental health, the WHO recommends training managers in mental health, improving mental health literacy and awareness, and providing individuals with psychosocial interventions and leisure-based physical activity to manage stress and reduce mental health symptoms.
Talking about feelings is crucial for maintaining mental health and dealing with troubled times and having supportive colleagues or managers can help, the Mental Health Foundation claims. “If you don’t feel able to talk about feelings at work, make sure there’s someone you can discuss work pressures with – partners, friends and family can all be a sounding board.”
The publication further mentions that regular physical activity boosts self-esteem, improves concentration, and promotes sleep. “Movement doesn’t just mean doing sport or going to the gym. Experts say that most adults should do some form of physical activity every day. Try to make a physical activity that you enjoy a part of your day.”
Help Guide suggests that you connect and collaborate with coworkers to ease stress and boost mood. It is stated to build resiliency to tolerate stress, anxiety, and hopelessness from work problems as it helps from career setbacks and maintains a positive outlook.
