Mental Health Education 101 for the Working Professional

W.H.O defines mental health as the foundation for the well-being and effective functioning of individuals. Hence, indicating that it is more than the absence of a mental disorder, it is the ability to think, learn, and understand one’s emotions and the reactions of others. Mental health is a state of balance, both within and with the environment.
Workplace is often an important ecosystem of an individual’s life span.  Any imbalance in this ecosystem has a direct impact on an individual and vice versa. In other words, workplace stress could cause emotional disturbances in an employee. On the other hand, an emotionally disturbed employee could affect the workplace environment.

What is meant by good mental wellbeing for working professionals?

An individual who takes care of his mental wellbeing has the ability to adjust well in conflict situations, has a sense of personal worth, makes his own decisions and is able to solve his problems largely by his own efforts.  

What are the signs that indicate that your mental health is disturbed?

1. Mental health and mental health-related symptoms are one of the most common reasons that affect an employee’s performance at work or may lead to more absenteeism. Many employees exhibit various signs which indicate that they are experiencing mental health concerns.     Emotional changes: One can experience persistent sadness, anxiety, boredom, irritability, embarrassment, fear, and inconsistent emotions. Minor day-to-day occurrences might start affecting you significantly and may show a stronger than usual emotional reaction.
2. Cognitive and Behavioural Changes: You might experience difficulty in focusing, problem solving, and might be easily getting confused.  Difficulty maintaining hygiene or unkempt appearance, withdrawal from social situations, especially with co-workers, increased   use of drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, etc. may indicate signs of emotional disturbance.
3. Physiological Changes: Changes in eating or sleeping behaviours such as sleeping during the day or difficulty getting sleep at night or insomnia can be pre-cursors to stress or mental health illness. At the workplace, if your productivity is unusually low, it may be a symptom of a deeper, mental illness.

Why do you need to focus on your mental health?

Impact on an employee’s mental health can result in decreased productivity, job and life satisfaction. It can further impact one’s engagement with one’s own work, communication with co-workers and physical capability and daily functioning. Researches have indicated that mental illnesses such as depression are associated with higher rates of disability and unemployment and it has also indicated that employees treated for mental health issues report improved work performance and increases their productivity and reduce absenteeism to 60 percent.

How can you improve your mental wellbeing?

It is important to take care of yourself to ensure work life balance and there are several techniques to maintain and enhance your mental wellbeing.

• Make time for yourself. It is important to take some time for yourself every day, even if it is just for ten minutes. This will allow you to relax and clear your mind so that you can focus on your work later.

• Exercise regularly. Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and improve your overall health. It can be difficult to find time to exercise when you are working long hours, but it is important to make the effort.
• Eat healthy. Eating healthy foods will help your body cope with stress better. Make sure to include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet, and limit caffeine and sugar intake.
• Take breaks. When you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed, take a few minutes to step away from your work and relax. This will help you recharge and come back to your task with fresh eyes.
• Seek support. If you find that you’re struggling to manage stress on your own, talk to someone about it reach out Samvedna Care. They have the best online mental health counselling services. 
• Create and seek opportunities to build connections with other co-workers, through social events, affinity groups, and electronic message boards. It is important to understand that strong positive relationships at work act as a protective factor in managing stress inside and outside of the workplace.

Samvedna Care provides curated programs for mental health and wellbeing. They also provide self-care programs for professionals to take care of their wellbeing.