Survival to Success: Nurturing Wellness in the Workplace
Throughout our history, humans have evolved around the need for survival; feeding, protecting, and sheltering ourselves while working together to raise children and care for one another. These behaviours became deeply ingrained, shaping instincts that are hardwired into our DNA. While we can suppress these instincts, they often reemerge in times of stress. Some, like nurturing the young and elderly, remain as essential as ever. Others, such as our defensive instincts against predators or rival groups, can cause harm if unchecked, especially in today’s densely populated world.
In a modern society where primal threats are no longer prevalent, we’ve found new ways to channel these instincts. Physically, we challenge human endurance and value fitness as a means of staying healthy. But when it comes to mental wellness, we’ve been slower to adapt.
Despite living in a hyper-connected world. We are less reliant on each other for survival, yet we have a greater need for social connection, affirmation, and mental health support than ever before.
Just as our bodies need regular exercise to stay fit, our minds require ongoing care. Mental fitness isn’t a one-time effort, it’s a lifelong commitment. Neglecting it puts us at risk. To truly thrive, we need to nurture both body and mind, recognising that they function best when supported together. There are countless ways we can ensure that we, and those around us, remain strong, both physically and mentally.
Prioritising mental health in the workplace is key to fostering a productive, supportive, and positive environment. Here are some strategies companies can adopt to make mental health a priority:
1. Create a Supportive Culture
• Promote Open Conversations: Encourage employees to speak openly about mental health without fear of judgment.
• Leadership Role Modelling: Leaders should openly support mental health initiatives and model healthy behaviours.
2. Provide Mental Health Resources
• Access to Professional Help: Offer access to counsellors, therapists, or mental health professionals.
• Workshops and Training: Provide mental health education and skill-building sessions.
• Employee Insurance Coverage: Ensure mental health services are covered by health plans.
3. Promote Work-Life Balance
• Flexible Work Schedules: Allow for flexibility in work hours and location to reduce stress.
• Reasonable Workloads: Manage workloads to avoid burnout and promote sustainable productivity.
4. Encourage Breaks and Time Off
• Regular Breaks: Encourage employees to take short, frequent breaks throughout the day.
• Supportive Leave Policies: Offer generous leave policies for mental health recovery.
5. Monitor Workplace Stressors
• Stress Audits: Regularly assess stress levels and address underlying causes.
• Address Bullying and Harassment: Actively prevent and address any toxic behaviours in the workplace.
6. Promote Physical Well Being
• Physical Health Support: Encourage physical activity and offer wellness programs.
• Healthy Work Environment: Maintain a workspace that promotes physical and mental wellbeing.
7. Recognise and Reward Efforts
• Acknowledge Achievements: Regularly recognise employees’ hard work and accomplishments.
• Check for Burnout: Keep an eye out for signs of burnout and offer support.
8. Implement Policies to Prevent Burnout
• Boundaries for After-Hours Communication: Set clear boundaries to prevent employees from feeling overwhelmed outside of work hours.
By fostering an environment where mental health is a priority, companies can improve employee wellbeing, boost productivity, reduce absenteeism, and staff turnover.
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