Designing a Healthier Workplace: an action plan to maintain the workplace well and healthy
The discussion of mental health at work has ceased to be a marginal issue but it is an important aspect of creating a healthy and effective environment. Having a good working environment lets the workers feel secure, favored, and appreciated, which translates directly to performance and overall health.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), close to 60% of the world population is working. Taking into account the amount of time we spend at our workplaces, it is necessary to make the workplace a place that will help us maintain our mental and emotional well being.
Although the role of the employers in forming the workplace culture cannot be overlooked, employees also have a responsibility in terms of how they present, communicate, and take care of themselves throughout the working process. Common sense ways to make the workplace healthier can be discussed between employees and employers.
How to Take Care of your Mental Health at Work
Mental health at work is not something that can be enhanced in one huge jump, however, it is about creating regular patterns and setting limits that facilitate the overall health of the self.
Here are some ways to start:
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Care about yourself: Have frequent breaks, get enough sleep, have a balanced diet and do not overload yourself with work that you cannot cope.
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Establish boundaries between work and life: Strive to complete work within the timeframe as much as possible and develop some routines, which will help you to leave your work mode.
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Learn to say no: When you cannot handle the additional work, say no.
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Remain connected: Develop positive relationships with your colleagues, since social relations may protect against stress.
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Ask someone to help: Utilize the resources in the workplace or look outside the organization.
It will be easier to keep work life and personal life apart even with small additions, such as creating an end of day ritual, such as going on a short walk, journaling, or meditating.
The Question of How to Promote Good Health in the Workplace
Managing to establish a good workplace culture does not rest on the management. Every employee will have his or her part to play by being purposeful in everyday interactions.
Some of the effective practices are:
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Always assume good intentions rather than make jumps towards the negative.
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Do not gossip and be professional.
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Be willing to appreciate others by rewarding their efforts and achievements.
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Be honest and courteous, particularly in the feedback process.
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Always be dependable and time conscious as well as considerate of the time of others.
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Active listening: One should listen actively and should not interrupt when one is talking to him.
Even a minor change in mindset and attitude can contribute to the establishment of a workplace where all people will feel valued and inspired.
The Microaggression concept, and how to prevent and understand it
The microaggressions are delicate and unintentional remarks or actions that may cause harm to a person or have a negative effect on mental health, particularly in marginalized groups.
To avoid them:
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Take some time and evaluate personal prejudices and inform yourself on the effects of microaggressions.
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Be a good listener, listen when someone tries to tell you about a microaggression and do not brush it off and speak defensively.
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Dedicate to lifelong education and establishment of a diverse atmosphere.
The knowledge and understanding can help avoid these small but harmful practices.
What Employers can do to facilitate Mental Health
Employers have a special role to play in ensuring that they model a favorable and healthy work environment. The following are practical ways of doing this:
1. Develop a good Workplace Culture
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Widen the discourse of mental health.
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Efforts must be rewarded.
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Provide flexibility in work where appropriate.
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Make sure that workloads are acceptable and challenging.
2. Establish Clear Policies
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Adopt and adopt anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies.
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Make available easy to understand mental health guidelines.
3. Training and Supporting
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Provide cultural awareness and prejudice training.
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Educate train managers to identify burnout and encourage good boundaries.
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Make mental health resources available including Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).
When leaders make these types of investments, they can not only increase employee well being, but also engagement, productivity and retention.
Supporting One Another When You Need It
At times the stress at the work place can be too much. If you’re struggling:
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Discuss issues and changes with your manager.
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Contact your company Employee Assistance Program (EAP) (if one exists) and it can be free counseling and crisis response, as well as wellness services.
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Consult professional external help in case internal resources are not enough.
Making a call to get assistance is a sign of not being weak but strong.
Final Takeaway
Both physical and mental health directly depend on the workplace. Every working day, a good and conducive environment ought to be a collective responsibility of both the employer and the employee since the majority of us spend most of our lives in the workplace.
There are ways to make the workplace a healthy environment where individuals do not simply exist but prosper by establishing healthy boundaries, empathy, and an inclusive culture.
When there is a healthier work place, it is beneficial to all professionals: employees will be happier, teams will become stronger and organizations will be more successful.