Healthy Mind at Work place

The statistics suggest that one out of six people suffers from mental health problems which mainly include depression and anxiety. Earlier it was said that a person must be active and working to avoid mental health problems. But with the increase in workplace competition, workload and negative work environment (such as harassment and bullying), nowadays, it has become one of the major reasons for the mental illnesses, leaving behind the stress due to debts and financial problems.

Though unemployment is a well known risk factor for mental illness and getting work is said to be protective, a negative working environment, however, may lead to physical and mental health problems, substance abuse and addictions, absenteeism and lost productivity. Stress from work can also hinder family relations and friendships, and even increase risks for chronic illnesses and heart attacks.

Risks to mental health in the workplace include:

• High and unrelenting workload;
• Low levels of support for employees;
• Minimal wage growth;
• Lack of opportunity to advance;
• Inflexible working hours;
• A work environment that does not encourage teamwork;
• Unclear tasks or organizational objectives;
• Poor communication and management practices;
• Bullying and psychological harassment and many more

Creating a Mentally Healthy Workplace

Creating a healthy surrounding to promote mental health not only results in the better mind but also in better and increase productivity, reduction in absenteeism, and few other benefit from associated economic gains. In a healthy workplace, a person feels valued, supported, and energetic towards their tasks with the respectful surrounding.

There are a number of different strategies and plans for organizations to achieve a healthy workplace. Some of them are:

• Educate and create awareness about mental health: create such an environment so that a person will free to share their loads and problems;
• Productive atmosphere: respectful, appreciated, incentivized, and rewarded surrounding with no signs of intimidation, bullying, sexual harassment, and fear. Good working relationship with all staff.
• Liveable wage: encourages a committed and sustained workforce.
• Open and effective Communication
• Act and Support: Create opportunities and promote work-life balance

With the various measures taken by the organizations, we should also look for our health as it is or mind and health which is getting affected. Following are the tips that help to restore your mental wellness:

• Do not work overtime unnecessarily
• Take necessary breaks
• Go for holidays
• Give time to your family and friends
• Allocate time to do the things you enjoy
• Eat healthy and take adequate sleep
• Look for your body weight and fitness