Small Business Employee Engagement - 7 Quick Wins for Better Mental Wellbeing at Work
Posted in : Supplementary Articles NI on 23 March 2023 Issues covered: mental health, mental wellbeing, mindfulness practice, social media, sleep, employee assistance program, mentoring, coaching, gratitudeAre you looking for simple but effective ways to boost your mental wellbeing at work? You're not alone. Mental health is a hot topic these days, and for good reason. Poor mental health can have a negative impact on your productivity, performance, and overall happiness. That's why we've put together this list of seven quick wins to help you take care of your mental health at work.
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Mental Health First Aid Training
Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour course that teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health problems. This training can help you support your colleagues who may be experiencing mental health issues. You can find more information about Mental Health First Aid training at www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/take-a-course/.
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Mindfulness Practice
Mindfulness is a simple but powerful way to improve your mental wellbeing. It involves paying attention to the present moment, without judgment. You can start with a simple exercise: sit down, cross-legged, and focus on your breathing for ten minutes. If your mind starts to wander, gently bring it back to your breath. Apps like Aura and Headspace offer daily guided courses that make mindfulness practice accessible to everyone.
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Online Behaviour
Encourage your staff to regulate their use of social media and the internet by discouraging business contact after core hours. Let them know it's okay to turn off their phones or put them on airplane mode after 6 p.m.
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The Importance of Sleep
Getting enough quality sleep is essential for your mental wellbeing. Matthew Walker's book, "Why We Sleep – The New Science of Sleep and Dreams," explains why sleep is critical to our health and why we need to break free from the cultural myth that working long hours on little sleep is a badge of honor. Employers can provide staff with information on the importance of good quality sleep and even offer time for catnaps.
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Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
An EAP provides employees with access to professional advice and assistance when they need it. This can be especially valuable for staff going through difficult times at work or in their personal lives. EAPs can offer services such as a 24-hour help line or up to six counseling sessions free of charge.
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Mentoring and Coaching Programs
Mentoring and coaching programs can help promote emotional stability and mental health in the workplace. Experienced employees can provide support and guidance to more junior staff, creating a win-win situation for everyone involved.
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Gratitude Practice
Practicing gratitude has been shown to improve happiness and mental wellbeing. One way to do this is by writing thank-you letters or notes to people. Some people may prefer a handwritten note or email instead of public praise. Gratitude jars can also be used, where individuals drop in notes about things they're grateful for. Reviewing the notes can be a great way to reflect on the positive things in life.
Incorporating these seven quick wins into your workplace can make a big difference in promoting mental wellbeing. By investing in your mental health, you'll be better equipped to handle stress, boost your performance, and improve your overall quality of life.
The above content is based on material from the leading text book on Small Business Employee Engagement “Mastering Small Business Employee Engagement 30 Quick Wins & HR hacks from an IIP Platinum Employer” by Barry Phillips and Jayne Gallagher.
Disclaimer:
The information in this article is provided as part of Legal-Island's Employment Law Hub. We regret we are not able to respond to requests for specific legal or HR queries and recommend that professional advice is obtained before relying on information supplied anywhere within this article.