4 Ways to Maintain Good Mental Health in the Workplace in 2023

It is reported that 1 in 6.8 people experience some kind of mental health difficulty in the workplace. While discussion around good mental health management have increased rapidly over the last few years, employers have been slow to acknowledge the ways that work can impact on mental health, and even slower in implementing policies that may help. 

This means that it is often down to the individual to find ways of managing their mental health while at work (and throughout the day, of course.) Finding strategies to maintain good mental health is so important not just for your productivity at work, but for your overall wellbeing and happiness.

This is why we have compiled a list of ways  that you can  maintain good mental health in the workplace in 2023.

Talk to Someone

This may sound obvious, but it is an often under-looked aspect of mental health management. Bottling up your feelings seems like the easier, and more comfortable option when it comes to your mental health. But doing so will only compound any issues that you may have, and lead to greater stress and problems down the line.

Take time to seek out friends, family, and colleagues for regular, frank discussions on how you are feeling. Communicating your feelings directly helps you feel more seen, appreciated, and less alone,

If you are experiencing difficult mental health directly because of work, consider seeking out a manager or colleague to strategize on ways in which the workplace can become a safer, more comfortable, and less stressful place for you. This may mean a change of scene, a reorganization of duties, or simply more one-to-one contact with your manager so that your duties and expectations are clear.

Find Work that Plays to Your Strengths

It is easy to feel overwhelmed, stressed, and unprepared when at work. These feelings can lead to greater mental health issues if they are not tackled head on. One strategy for mitigating these feelings is to focus on what you are good at.

 Find projects that play to your professional strengths and provide a sense of job satisfaction. We all have certain talents, find yours, and incorporate that into the work that you do. This will lead to a greater sense of achievement when you successfully complete these tasks. 

Consider Mindfulness

The importance of mindfulness has never been more documented or acknowledged than in 2023. It is a practice that has a range of benefits for your mental health. Mindfulness clears the head, gives you space to relax your thoughts,  and allows for greater clarity of thought and expression. These qualities will help you immensely as you navigate the daily stresses of working life.

Mindfulness can be incorporated in many ways. You could start by beginning the day with mindful breathing exercises. Or you could go down the more formal route of meditation or yoga practice. Beginning the day in these ways, rather than scrolling through your social media feed, will put you on the right track for a calmer and more mentally relaxed day. 

Keep Active

Keeping active during the working day can be a tall order, since much of our working day is spent at a desk looking at a screen. We are often immobile for long periods of time when at work. 

However, keeping active is a key pillar in mental health maintenance. Not only does exercise release those all important endorphins and serotonin that help mood levels, it also brings a sense of accomplishment and self-care that can be vital in the way we think about our own lives and bodies.

Consider ways of incorporating exercise into your day. You can use strategies such as booking an exercise class before or after work, or simply taking a 15 minute walk at some point during the working day. Make sure you find ways to stay active throughout the day. Your body and mind will thank you.

By Lisa Baker

https://wellbeingnews.co.uk/mental-health/4-ways-to-maintain-good-mental-health-in-the-workplace-in-2023/