{"id":1452,"date":"2023-08-29T19:46:20","date_gmt":"2023-08-29T09:46:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fasttrainingaustralia.com.au\/?p=1452"},"modified":"2025-05-27T18:05:35","modified_gmt":"2025-05-27T08:05:35","slug":"employee-mental-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fasttrainingaustralia.com.au\/employee-mental-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Employee Mental Health – Taking care of your greatest asset!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Prioritising Employee Mental Health is Key to a Thriving Workplace<\/h2>\n

How are you feeling of late?<\/em><\/p>\n

Do you recognise any signs that things are off kilter?<\/em><\/p>\n

How much noise is going on in your head?<\/em><\/p>\n

How are things at work? At home?<\/em><\/p>\n

How connected are you feeling to others?<\/em><\/p>\n

Are you feeling that you are telling people you are fine, however the reality is maybe you\u2019re not!<\/em><\/p>\n

Taking care of your Mental Health. Has there been some subtle signs that your greatest asset is being affected?<\/p>\n

Perhaps this blog is a reminder to take check and take the time to get things back on track.\u00a0Remember – Self-care is not selfish!<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"SOS<\/strong><\/p>\n

SOS self-care strategies<\/em><\/p>\n

It is well-known that when your mental health suffers, it also has impact to your physical health. Recognising the signs early and taking steps to make change, even simple change can make an enormous difference.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s talk about things that impact and what changes you can make to improve employee mental health:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Connection with others<\/h3>\n

When you begin to feel low, one of the first things to be affected is your social connections. You may find that it becomes an increasing effort to see or connect with friends, that you find yourself cancelling outings last minute and start to avoid contact with others. It is important to recognise<\/strong><\/em> this sign.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"lady<\/p>\n

Look for the early signs – withdrawing or disconnecting<\/em><\/p>\n

We are social beings, and it provides us with a sense of purpose, security and builds happiness. It makes sense if the connection to others begins to dissolve, then essentially so does your happiness<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Couch lounging<\/h3>\n

We\u2019ve all been here haven\u2019t we? Spending time binge watching Netflix until the wee hours. That might be fine for a short period of time (or maybe not!), however if this is your daily routine, it\u2019s time to get up and get moving.<\/p>\n

\"lady<\/p>\n

We all love to lounge right? However, making it the everyday is not doing our mental health a favour!<\/em><\/p>\n

Physical activity boosts your feel-good neurotransmitters \u2013 known as endorphins. Exercise also increases oxygen supply to your brain. So take a walk! A walk in nature, walk the dog, walk to the shops or park further from work and walk to work. Any kind of walk! Maybe take it one step further and join the gym, pilates or a local sporting club. This will give even more opportunity for social connection too.<\/p>\n

Dance like nobody is watching<\/h3>\n

Isn\u2019t that how the saying goes? Okay so maybe you aren\u2019t going to dance like nobody is watching, however music lifts the soul. Put on your favourite track, sing loudly, and get lost in the music. If you feel like busting out a boogie \u2013 then go ahead, do it!<\/p>\n

\"lady<\/p>\n

Music is known to change your mood – get jiggy with it!<\/em><\/p>\n

Find a furry friend<\/h3>\n

As a dog owner, I know first-hand the benefits of having a furry friend. They bestow unconditional love, lower your stress levels, and have the uncanny ability to change your mood (no matter how crappy your day was). Having a pet helps you both emotionally and physically.<\/p>\n

There is some science behind the very real health benefits reducing blood pressure and lowered risk of heart disease! (Source<\/strong>: Harvard Health<\/em>) Of course, it is not limited to just dogs. You may want a cat, a guinea pig, bird or rabbit. Having a pet helps to change your mood, so this is a boost for your mental health. Watch how your mood changes when your pet greets you at the end of the day. If you have a dog, then it may be just the excuse to get you out walking too!<\/p>\n

Catch some rays<\/h3>\n

If you have ever lived in the UK, you may have heard of S.A.D. \u2013 Seasonal Affective Disorder. Largely it is brought on from a lack of sunlight. Yes, really! Essentially the person does not get enough sun exposure \u2013 not enough Vitamin D. It usually occurs in response to climate changes and seasonal weather changes. You may hear that doctors often prescribe a sunny holiday to Spain or Ibiza! That\u2019s a prescription we all need \u2013 sign me up!<\/p>\n

\"lady<\/p>\n

Remember to get out in nature – catch some rays<\/em><\/p>\n

The point here is, don\u2019t underestimate the time you do need to spend outdoors, at the beach, camping and in nature. We all need some exposure to the sun for health, both for mental and physical health.<\/p>\n

Globally we are spending way too much time indoors, largely due to the luxury items within our homes. This is having an impact to our physical and mental health. I know what you are thinking, we live in Australia! \u2013 however just be sensible about it – catch some rays \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

Earthing<\/h3>\n

Have you heard of this before? It is otherwise known as \u2018grounding\u2019. Go barefoot, feel the grass, the sand, the water, the pebbles beneath your feet. It is known to influence your well-being, reducing inflammation, pain, stress and has a knock-on effect to improve both sleep and blood flow. Kick off your shoes and connect with Mother Earth.<\/p>\n

\"lady<\/p>\n

Feel the earth under your feet<\/em><\/p>\n

Go Green<\/h3>\n

Go green in every way, more plants, more greenery in and around your home. Tending garden can be very therapeutic and has the added benefit of oxygenating your space. Good for the planet, good for you.<\/p>\n

\"woman<\/p>\n

Gardening can be very therapeutic and is also good for you!<\/em><\/p>\n

Take a digital detox<\/h3>\n

Am I serious? Yes! Attention spans are becoming less and less. Technology is moving at a crazy fast pace. Devices can be addictive. Research is emerging about the impact that it is having on our youth\u2019s mental health<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Social Media algorithms are set to reel you in, to keep you coming back, some even designed to play on your vulnerabilities. Take a day off, take longer even. Connect<\/strong> instead in person with someone. Head out to lunch, meet up with a friend or family member. Watch the hours slip by, when you engage in meaningful conversation and take note of how good it makes you feel afterwards.<\/p>\n

\"social<\/p>\n

Ditch the phone – you can do it!<\/em><\/p>\n

Call someone<\/h3>\n

How easy is it to text! How long has it been since you\u2019ve picked up the phone and had a long chat? Go old school and reach out to connect.<\/p>\n

\"lady<\/p>\n

Reach out and really connect – converse! That’s old school!<\/em><\/p>\n

Take a good look at your Workplace \u2013 how mentally healthy is it?<\/h2>\n

Do you think your workplace is a mentally healthy one<\/a>? How do you rate your employee mental health? What is the culture like within? What is the communication like between leaders and workers?<\/p>\n

Reports are consistently emerging about unhealthy cultures that exist within some Australian businesses. In these businesses, some common themes occurring \u2013 bullying, harassment, discrimination, racism and a culture of working harder, longer and faster.<\/p>\n

\"team<\/p>\n

How Mentally Healthy is your workplace?<\/em><\/p>\n

The result?<\/h3>\n

Physical and emotional health impact.<\/p>\n

Where do you fit in here?:<\/p>\n