These days, it's increasingly common to hear about workers feeling stressed or falling ill due to overwork and other work-related factors. You may have experienced this yourself. In response, more companies are now incorporating wellness programs for their employees, recognizing the strong need for such initiatives.
Wellness programs encompass a broad range of areas—physical health and fitness, social and community engagement, financial wellness, and mental well-being. In this write-up, we'll focus on mental health.
Mental health is often referred to as “the silent backbone of your team’s morale.” Stressed, depressed, and anxious workers typically struggle with productivity. Sometimes, the entire team’s performance and dynamics are affected. However, this presents an opportunity for companies and managers to step in and support those in need.
When employees feel that their bosses care or that the company they work for genuinely sympathizes with their situation, they often start to feel better. This can even improve their condition, inspiring them to give their best at work. They are less likely to call in sick and tend to have better relationships with their co-workers. As a result, the office meets its targets, and everyone on board is satisfied and happy.
Here are a few ideas:
1. Sponsor de-stressing activities. Regular physical activity is one example. It can reduce the impact of stress and boost endorphin levels. Due to busy schedules (and various other reasons), many workers don’t get the recommended amount of regular exercise to stay healthy. By offering worksite wellness programs, employees gain access to beneficial activities without needing to spend extra money or travel elsewhere. Light workout sessions, yoga, tai chi or qigong classes, or mindfulness workshops can make a big difference. These activities also promote teamwork and camaraderie among employees.
2. Create nap rooms or break rooms. These spaces allow employees to relax and socialize with each other. Managers can stock these rooms with healthy snacks and furnish them with comfortable mattresses, blankets, and blackout curtains.
3. Offer mental health resources. These can include counseling, stress management workshops, mindfulness training, and group therapy sessions. These also involve promoting mental health awareness and implementing mental health education campaigns. Organizations need to help their staff learn how to relax and manage their tension or stress. It would also help if mental health components could be integrated into employees' healthcare benefits.
Organizations like Mindfulness Asia offer workshops and classes to develop employee resilience and mental well-being. Its founder is an IMTA Certified Mindfulness Teacher, with significant credentials attesting to their credibility and competence. For inquiries, contact: info@mindfulnessasia.com.
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