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How Can Workers Improve Their Mental Health?
New research has revealed that mental health conditions are the biggest threat to UK workers over the next five years.
The online survey of 1,000 managers found that over half of respondents (51%) believed that mental health will affect their employees in the near future.
With this in mind, we’ve put together a guide with some quick and simple things workers can do on a daily basis to help maintain a healthy state of mind.
- Get a good night’s sleep – Most adults (aged between 18-64) need between 6 and 9 hours of sleep a night to function at their best. Make sure you get your quota before each working day. If you have difficulty falling asleep, try and wind down by taking a hot bath, practising yoga/meditation, or reading a book before bed.
- Take your holiday leave – Ensure you take your allocated annual leave each year. You don’t have to go abroad or even go on holiday at all. Even if it’s just spending a few days relaxing at home, it’s important to take a proper break from work.
- Plan ahead – If you’re feeling particularly stressed at work, try to avoid planning a major life event at the same time (such as moving house or doing home improvements).
- Make time to relax – Make sure you set time aside for doing the things you love outside of working hours. Whether it’s gardening, reading a book, listening to music or going to the gym, giving yourself regular ‘me time’ is essential in staying mentally healthy.
- Take a lunch break – Try to get out of the workplace on your lunch break – even if it’s just a quick walk around the block. It’s great for clearing your head and will leave you feeling more productive than if you had stayed at your desk all day.
- Stay hydrated – Water is essential in keeping our brains functioning at their best. Two litres each day is optimum.
- Go home on time – If you frequently leave work late, try to leave on time at least twice a week. If overtime is getting excessive, speak to your manager about how you can better manage your workload.
- Talk to someone – If you’ve noticed any changes in your thoughts or behaviour, or are feeling concerned about your mental health at work, talking to someone you trust can help. Whether it’s a colleague, family member, close friend, your GP or a therapist, the earlier you seek support the better.
Psychotherapy can prove invaluable for anyone looking to manage difficult situations in their lives and enables them to transform problems into opportunities for personal growth.
For more information, please contact us at [email protected].