Action steps to support your employees’ mental health

You may have employees who have never been involved in any conversations about mental health. So many people battle with thoughts or feelings they can’t explain because they don’t know what they don’t know. Hosting an awareness workshop can educate your employees and possibly answer some questions they didn’t even know they had. 

How does this idea support mental health at work? Knowledge is power. Educating your employees is the first step in helping them identify any potential mental health issues of their own or even within their family dynamics. 

Providing an opportunity for some quiet time in the middle of the daily storms can be a game-changer. Meditation provides balance and stabilizes emotions so when things get crazy, your stressors are not as heavy as they could be. Just a few minutes a day delivers hours of mental health benefits. 

How does this idea support mental health at work? 

Meditation programs in the workplace improve employee moods, reduce stress, and improve job satisfaction. Group sessions enhance collaboration amongst coworkers and promote better working relationships. 

Acknowledgements no matter how large or small, improve morale, increase engagement, and contribute to positive mental health. Employees who are shown appreciation feel more valued, and valued employees are happier. An employee recognition thread allows everyone to infuse a little appreciation into their workday and let each other know how they impact others. 

How does this idea support mental health at work? According to the National Standard on Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace, recognition is one of thirteen contributing factors to employees’ psychological health in the workplace. That’s a pretty direct connection. 

Tip: You can send your team members recognition points via a platform like Bonusly that they can redeem for real-life prizes! 

Email or text notifications can be never-ending. If you’re in multiple groups, those notifications could be the soundtrack of your day. Taking a break from the “dings” and conversations can be a nice little reset.

How does this idea support mental health at work? 

The need to constantly check your notifications is super distracting. When you can focus clearly, things around you aren’t as overwhelming.

Tip: Get your team Mental Health Awareness bracelets to wear throughout the month of May

  Countless studies have linked social media use to mental health issues. It’s been associated with anxiety, depression, lack of sleep, academic decline, and memory loss. Disconnecting sets solid boundaries improves moods and productivity, and can ultimately lead to a more satisfied, accomplished performance.

How does this idea support mental health at work? 

Curbing the FOMO during the workday can help avoid distractions that cause some (or all) of the conditions listed above. Tuning out will improve focus and free up time to spend on important tasks.

This suggestion pays off in layers. You get the obvious health benefits of the walk itself, but your team also gets the chance to chat and connect outside of the office. These walks can help with stress reduction to avoid burnout and some of the other side effects of carrying the weight of the day.

How does this idea support mental health at work? 

Walking simultaneously provides the contradicting benefits of relaxation and regeneration. A quick trip around the block at lunchtime can reduce anxiety, depression, and fatigue.

Despite the belief that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, what we eat matters just a little more. Avocado toast, oatmeal, and yogurt smoothies are great examples of shareable, mood-balancing brain food. Providing a hearty yet healthy breakfast for your team is good for the body, mind, and spirit.

How does this idea support  mental health at work? 

 What we put into our bodies can impact our mental health long-term. The foods we eat play a huge part in determining our moods and our mental and emotional balances.

Similar to a water cooler chat but with coffee. Taking 10 minutes out of the day to chit-chat over a latte can be just enough to rejuvenate the brain. Discussing which network series to binge next or the newest restaurants opening this weekend while sipping on something creamy and caffeinated, is time well spent in the workplace. 

How does this idea support mental health at work? 

 The logical and decision-making part of the brain becomes fatigued just like the rest of our body if not given a break. Avoiding this burn-out can improve motivation and calm anxiety.  

Breaking bread as a group is an age-old team-building exercise. Get everyone out of the office for some casual conversations that don’t include topics like contracts and deadlines. These simple outings could be a priceless monthly (or even weekly) addition to your wellness plan. How does this idea support mental health at work? 

 Team lunches cultivate camaraderie and those friendships make an impact on our overall wellbeing. Working with friends beats the alternative any day of the week. 

  Decompressing from the day is often overlooked and frankly, undervalued. Having just 10-15 minutes of quiet, uninterrupted time after work can be a cathartic reset – even better than happy hour. No phone. No notifications. No interruptions. Spend this time listening to music, meditating, reading, or whatever it is that soothes the soul and eases the mind.   

How does this idea support  mental health at work? 

We tend to feel that we’re “too busy” to take a time-out. But sometimes, that’s exactly what’s necessary – little pauses to help digest the day so tomorrow isn’t as clouded. 

FIELD TRIP! Get everyone out of the office and into something fun and engaging. Go hiking. Or maybe test your teamwork in an escape room. Building trust and strengthening ties within your team benefits everyone in the end. Considering the number of hours spent together, it’s more enjoyable and less stressful to be there with people we trust and feel supported by. 

How does this idea support mental health at work? 

Team-building activities build stronger bonds between colleagues and support healthy cross-functional relationship

If bringing pets to work isn’t an option, a virtual pet show is the next best thing. Allow everyone to brag about their fur babies, scaly sweethearts, feathered friends, and all the other pets they care for daily.

How does this idea support mental health at work?

This is an opportunity for everyone to 1) get to know each a little better, support deeper work relationships, and 2) unplug from work conversations to speak on a topic we already know can be beneficial to our mental health. OUR PETS!