A guide to looking after your mental health at work

A guide to looking after your mental health at work

As we approach World Mental Health Day on 10th October, an annual event promoted by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), this year's theme has been announced as Mental health is a Universal Human Right.

While most of us know the importance of looking after our mental health, this can become more difficult in working environments where there are often many distractions. In busy offices or other workspaces, prioritising our mental health can take a back seat while we focus on client deadlines, communicating with colleagues, career progression and many other elements. However, despite the distractions, there are things you can do ensure your mental health isn’t declining while you are working.

This comprehensive guide explores the many ways you can do this. Let’s explore why we need to consider our mental health while working and how it can actually benefit our productivity and ultimately, our long-term careers.

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Building a resilient workforce: the role of HR in employee wellbeing and mental health

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Building a resilient workforce: the role of HR in employee wellbeing and mental health

The American Psychiatric Association points to a startling reality: unresolved depression in employees results in a 35% reduction in productivity, leading to a loss of $210.5 billion a year in absenteeism, reduced productivity, and medical costs.

How can HR professionals build a resilient workforce in the face of growing mental health challenges? What proactive HR strategies can be employed to not only enhance employee wellbeing, but also impact the company's bottom line positively?

This week, guest writer Rob Press seeks to explore these crucial questions, offering insights into creating a nurturing and supportive work environment where mental health is prioritised.

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Why we grieve

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Why we grieve

Anyone who has had to manage the impact of grief understands how profound it can be. As a society, we don’t always make room for grief, and this can be especially true in our workplaces. After bereavement leave (a time often swamped by administrative tasks and funeral planning), we are expected to return to work and carry on - but this is easier said than done. 

In fact, managing our emotions in the weeks and months after bereavement can be so difficult that dealing with our everyday responsibilities seems nearly impossible, leading many to wonder why we feel loss so acutely.

In this week’s guest blog, the team at Harold Wood Funeral Services share their perspective on understanding why we grieve, and why it is a necessary readjustment in order to accept life as it is after experiencing deep loss.

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15 everyday mindfulness exercises to know

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15 everyday mindfulness exercises to know

Practising Mindfulness has many benefits, from calming nerves and anxiety to helping improve our focus and concentration. In this week’s guest blog post, we invite Valerie Teh, self-care practitioner and co-founder of wellbeing community Vana, to share 15 everyday Mindfulness exercises for everyone.

Learn a new language: an unexpected way to combat anxiety

Learn a new language: an unexpected way to combat anxiety

When it comes to self-care and improving your mental health, learning a new language isn’t generally the first thing that comes to mind. Nor is it the second, or third, or fourth.

Yet, studying the interplay of mental health and language learning has provided some incredibly interesting discoveries over the past few years, which warrants a much closer look at learning a second language as a means of boosting your mental state.

This week, guest writer John Ross explores the benefits of learning a new language for your mental health, and how it can boost empathy, confidence and self-esteem.