Mental Health is a term that is often joked about a lot but not cared about even a little. Yes, in India, it is very common for people to take mental health for granted. But that's not the case anymore. Mental health issues are now becoming a mainstream problem, and the reasons range from personal challenges to workplace pressures.
If we only proceed with professional reasons, according to a report by MPower, around 48% of Indian corporate employees are at risk of mental health issues. It reflects how risky it can be to keep working without dealing with stress at work. That's why we have compiled some tips for you to manage your mental health in the workplace. So, let's get started.`
8 Tips to Protect Your Mental Health in the Workplace
Using these tips, you can better handle workplace stress management and maintain a healthier and more productive work environment.
1. Prioritise Work-Life Balance
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is the most important part of protecting your mental health. You can do this by giving yourself time for personal activities, hobbies, and rest. All this will prevent any burnout. To achieve this, you can -
- Schedule your breaks regularly.
- Avoid working overtime very frequently.
2. Practice Time Management
Effective time management is another key to safeguarding your mental health at work. Missed deadlines can lead to significant stress. Hence, effective time management is important for managing stress at work. For this, you can prioritise your tasks and set realistic deadlines. Besides, try to avoid multitasking and reduce workplace stress. So, manage your time better by doing this-
- You can make your to-do list. It will help you ensure that you do not miss any tasks.
- If you feel lazy or tired before doing a task, break it into small steps to motivate yourself.
- More importantly, you should learn to delegate tasks to your teammates to avoid overburdening yourself.
3. Seek Professional Help
You should never hesitate to seek professional help if you struggle with mental health at work. Besides, counselling or therapy can provide valuable coping strategies for dealing with stress at work. You can also get help in the following ways-
- Use Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
- Do try to access other mental health resources to manage your stress.
- Attend therapy sessions, as they can have a very positive impact on your health.
4. Stay Physically Active
Regular physical activity is beneficial for your mental health in the workplace. Furthermore, exercise also helps in managing stress at work and improves your overall well-being. So, try to:
- Take short walks during your breaks.
- Join a workplace fitness program.
- Include stretching exercises in your daily routine.
5. Foster Social Connections
Enhance your mental health awareness in the workplace by building strong social connections. You can also engage with your colleagues to create a supportive network. For this, you can-
- Participate in team-building activities.
- Join social clubs at work.
- Share your experiences and support others.
6. Set Boundaries
Another important tip is setting boundaries, which is vital for workplace stress management. You must learn to say no and manage your workload to prevent excessive stress. To set effective boundaries, you can-
- Define your work hours clearly.
- Avoid checking emails after work.
- Communicate limits to your colleagues.
7. Practice mindfulness
Practising mindfulness can greatly benefit your mental health in the workplace. You can use techniques like meditation and deep breathing to help in dealing with stress at work. Moreover, you can start by.
- Engaging in daily meditation sessions.
- Practising deep breathing exercises regularly.
- Using mindfulness apps.
While mindfulness gives you great relaxation, one more thing you can do to become tension-free is to opt for mental health insurance.
Here, you can consider Generali Central's Health Absolute. It is one of the best health insurance plans covering mental health risks.
Moreover, if you want to cover your whole family against this escalating health issue, you would love to know that it is also one of the best health insurance plans for family, as it covers up to 15 family members.
8. Take Regular Breaks
Taking regular exercise is very good for mental health at work. By taking short breaks, you can refresh your mind. In addition, it will improve your productivity and help in managing stress at work. To include effective breaks in your routine, you should-
- Follow the Pomodoro Technique.
- Step away from your desk for a little while.
- Stretch and move around to refresh yourself.
In totality, mental health at work is a real issue, and you should keep managing stress at work. These tips can help you effectively manage your mental health in the workplace. However, if you've been experiencing prolonged stress, you should opt for health insurance for mental health to safeguard your future.
