Boost Your Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace: Effective Strategies for Professionals

Prioritizing mental health in the workplace is important. While work provides structure and purpose, it can also exacerbate your mental health with the stress from metrics, deadlines, and interpersonal conflicts. Taking charge of your mental wellbeing is as essential as managing your physical health, here’s how to do so in the workplace:

1. Communicate

Talk openly about mental health. Encourage conversations about your experiences with friends and family, it can make a significant difference for you and them. Find a safe group of colleagues or people in a similar profession/industry to share your workplace experiences, find common ground, and develop solutions to resolve certain problems.

If you feel burnt out, struggle with a particular project, have interpersonal issues with a colleague or external pressures, talk to your manager. Open communication leads to understanding and support.

2. Build Better Relationships at Work

Building strong relationships at work can enhance your mental wellbeing. Join clubs or committees to meet more colleagues and foster stronger connections. These relationships can even lead to friendships outside of work, broadening your support system and making the workplace more enjoyable.

3. Prioritize Self-Care

Taking care of yourself is vital. Here are a few ways to incorporate self-care into your workday:

• Move Your Body: Take short breaks to stretch and get your body moving, try to host walking meetings or standing work, as it can reduce stress and boost productivity.
• Here are a few stretching routines you can do at your desk or with your colleagues: ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR.
• Take Time Off: Don’t hesitate to take time off to visit friends and family, pursue hobbies, or travel. Taking full breaks from work is essential for your mental health and is a shame most Americans waste weeks of PTO every year.

4. Seek Help if Needed

If you're struggling, it's okay to ask for help. Reach out to a mental health professional, counselor, or a trusted individual. You don’t have to face challenges alone. Here are some useful resources:

• National Institute of Mental Health - Find Help
• Anxiety and Depression Association of America: Offers free, anonymous online peer-to-peer communities and a state-by-state list of support groups.
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: Provides free in-person or online groups for depression.

Remember, your mental health is just as important as your physical health. By communicating openly, building strong relationships, prioritizing self-care, and seeking help when needed, you can support your mental wellbeing in the workplace.