Mind Share Partners’ 2021 Mental Health at Work Report showed that 76% of respondents reported at least one symptom of a mental health condition over the previous year. Other recent studies on mental health at work have shared similar findings.
The ongoing effects of the coronavirus pandemic and other stressors contribute to the increasing need for employees to improve their mental health at work. Embracing effective strategies to reduce stress and enhance happiness helps improve engagement, productivity, and performance. These actions increase job satisfaction, well-being, and quality of life.
Choose among these seven ways to improve your mental health at work.
1. Compete with Yourself
Compare who you are today with who you were previously. Focus on the goals you accomplished, what you are working toward now, and healthy ways to improve your performance.
Competing with yourself rather than others focuses on who you are rather than who you are not. This increases your happiness, self-esteem, and mental health at work.
2. Focus on Your Strengths
Spend time developing more of who you are and what makes you happy. This may involve finding projects to work on that capitalize on your strengths and give you satisfaction.
Engaging in activities that feel natural to you increases your feelings of accomplishment. It also improves your mental health.
3. Prioritize Learning
Regularly add to your knowledge and skill set. For instance, take on a stretch assignment, shadow a senior colleague, or cross-train in another role. Learning increases your sense of purpose, self-esteem, self-confidence, and mental health.
4. Look for Humor
Find funny things to laugh about at work. Laughter enhances oxygen intake, stimulates your organs, and causes your brain to release more endorphins. It also improves mood, relieves pain, and strengthens immune systems.
5. Go Outside
Take a short walk during your break times. Depending on the weather, eat lunch outside.
Going outside for even a few minutes improves attention, memory, and cognitive flexibility. This is an easy way to improve your mental health at work.
6. Express Gratitude
Write down at least one thing going well each day and why. Or, write a note or email to someone you are grateful for.
Actively expressing Gratitude leads to more positive emotions, higher satisfaction with your job and coworkers, and more extraordinary goal achievement. It also lowers stress and health issues, which reduces work absences due to illness.
7. Help Others
Volunteer to help with a project, mentor a colleague, or train a new team member. Helping others improves your mood, happiness, and self-esteem and reduces stress.
Would Finding a New Job Improve Your Mental Health at Work?
When you are ready to find a new job, include HireCall in your search. Use this link to our job board.
