Over 12 billion working days are lost every year due to depression and many other mental health issues at work. There are over 15% of working adults with mental disorders as of 2019, and that number has risen steadily in the past few years.
This is why mental health and reducing stress and thriving in the workplace are more important than ever. There are effective actions that you can take to prevent mental health risks and promote good mental health at work.
Here are some of the best ways to achieve workplace zen and how to reduce stress and thrive in your workplace.
1. Offer Mental Health Benefits to Employees
As an employer, it is also up to you to provide your employees with mental health benefits.
Around 88% of employees mention that the quality of mental health benefits is important in the workplace.
Yet, only 41% of employers offer mental health benefits. Many employers think that it is such an expensive package, but the returns are likely better.
You get to have employees who perform better and are more productive and loyal to the company now that they know they are being taken care of.
2. Make the Office Fun and Welcoming
A lot of offices all over the world feel like a prison. There is a cafeteria and pretty much nothing else.
In recent years, there has been a spike in the trend to have places of employment be more engaging and welcoming to all employees.
You now see a lot of recreational areas and even employers engaging their employees in different kinds of activities.
Many offices now have features such as arcades and even social hubs where they can meet other employees. When used appropriately, it can be an overall good experience for everyone in the company.
3. Allow Flexible Hours and Remote Work
Many companies have made it a point to have all of their employees return to the office full-time.
This has caused a lot of mental health issues for their employees, knowing how productive they have been during the work-from-home setup.
You hired your employees knowing full well what they are capable of, so instead of imprisoning them in a scheduled shift, why not offer flexible hours and even remote work?
Trusting your employees is one of the keys to having better mental health for everyone.
4. Prioritize Engaging in Recovery Activities
People often want to mentally recover from the stress by doing different kinds of activities.
There are some low-effort activities such as watching TV or going to the movies. While these low-effort activities may seem to be doing the job, highly engaging recovery activities are far more effective.
These can include playing a team sport or going to the gym. This is why you should never skip out on the free gym membership offered at your workplace.
It keeps you healthy both physically and mentally.
5. Identify What Triggers Your Stress
Everyone has different stress thresholds, and people also have different kinds of triggers.
Learn to identify what triggers your stress, such as interpersonal conflict with the team or the management.
It can even be as simple as someone yelling, which can trigger your stress levels.
By learning and identifying what triggers you, you're able to do something about it. Recognize the patterns so you can formulate a plan on how to deal with them.
6. Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a technique where you center yourself during a stressful event.
This can be achieved through proper breathing exercises so you can stay calm amidst a very stressful situation.
It only takes about five minutes of practicing mindfulness daily to get you back on track. If not, you can extend it until you feel better from stress.
7. Be Open to Communication
Open and honest communication without the fear of retaliation is the key to having a workplace zen.
Stress can make people do things they are not supposed to do, which can become a problem for many.
Honest and open communication, especially with management, is a good way to address those issues in the workplace.
Encourage your employees to be open to you without having the fear of getting back at them when you or your company is being targeted. It simply means that they do not agree with your current terms; hence, an open dialogue can help reach a proper agreement.
8. Encourage Proper Work-Life Balance
Many people are still trying to find the elusive proper work-life balance but fail to understand that it starts with yourself.
You should already know that you're about to be burnt out at work. Check the signs of work burnout and see how you can avoid that from happening.
Don't spend too much time in the office trying to impress the management; instead, focus on what you can do.
Leave everything for the next day and give yourself time to breathe outside of work.
9. Set an Example
Managers and leaders within the workplace should be the instigators of workplace zen.
They should be the champions of work-life balance and how to reduce stress and thrive in the office.
Lead by example by prioritizing the health and wellness of everyone, including yourself, instead of gaining a mere percentage of profit.
By taking care of your people, your people will also take care of your business.
10. Always Recognize Your Employees
Employees will always want to be recognized by their employers, especially if they have done a good job.
Failing to recognize your hardworking employees will only sour their relationship, especially if you are known to have biases.
Employees love to be praised for the job well done, and recognizing their success can boost their confidence.
Conclusion
There are still plenty of opportunities for you to show your employees how to reduce stress and thrive in the workplace. By following these effective methods, you're not only making your workplace a healthy environment but also actively engaging and encouraging your employees to become successful.
