7 ways to support your mental health

We live in a busy and hectic time and often take on an unbearable number of tasks in our daily lives, just to be able to meet the expectations that the world has of us. We are overwhelmed with work, we cannot refuse help to relatives and close ones, in our little free time we don't rest actively, but sit in front of the screen of a computer, phone or TV. This is the reality we live in without realizing, sometimes, how unfavorable it is for our mental health.Against the background of our dynamic life, the global situation of the last year has created even more unfavorable conditions for our mental health. The pandemic, physical isolation, and the uncertain economy have contributed to the decline in the mental well-being of thousands of workers, as evidenced by dozens of studies.

Since 2004, the World Health Organization has declared mental health to be an essential part of a person's general health. So, we could not be completely healthy without being emotionally calm and stable.All this drew people's attention to their mental health and care. However, many companies are just beginning to implement employee care practices, and in our country the topic began to be considered more seriously only a few years ago.To illustrate these statements, throughout April we posted surveys on our LinkedIn profile to understand the attitudes and views on the issue of our professional network of contacts.The results are intriguing. We asked our network to say how much it agrees with a statement. Here are the results:“My work-life balance is perfect”

42% agreed with this statement, which underlies a person's happiness and mental health. This is a good indicator because otherwise, the disturbed balance follows problems in various aspects of everyday life, which create even more stress. In the end, a vicious circle revolves, which only worsens the overall situation.

‍“I wish having access to more mental health resources at my current company!”

Here the percentage is significantly higher in a positive direction. 82% of respondents said they would like to have access to more information on the topic. This is positive because it means that more and more workers understand the need to take care of their emotions and realize how important it is to feel comfortable to be effective in their work and dedication to their activities.Companies, on the other hand, increasingly understand the need to take care of the mental health of their employees, which makes us expect this to become an integral part of future strategies for the development of employer branding, for example. If you are interested in learning more about employee satisfaction and it’s connection with the employer brand check out our latest blog article here.

‍“The company I work in currently aids in stress management.”

Serious work is needed to increase the percentage of companies that actively care for the mental health of their employees because this is the way to retain them and further increase their productivity. Agree that an employer would have a much more successful business if its employees were emotionally well. They will work more focused and dedicated, workplace stress will be reduced and the overall atmosphere would be significantly improved.As the trend of increasing attention to the employer brand grows, employers' commitment to their employees is also growing. It is common practice to offer a Multisport card as part of a social benefits package, but along with physical health, mental health care is also needed by companies.

‍“When I am at work, my overall well-being level is great!”

Over 80% of the participants recognized this statement as relevant for themselves. More and more people can take care of their health and have found a job where they feel good. If we compare it with our previous survey, this percentage is hardly due to the participation of employers in most cases, but whatever the reason, this is an area that we hope will continue to develop in a positive direction.Despite this positive result, companies have something to do to support their employees. We believe that a committed approach to corporate well-being can be very effective in attracting and retaining the best talent and improving their overall performance.Here are some tips we often give to our colleagues and try to implement in the daily life of HRS.

1. Find hobbies

‍Hobbies are a great way to relieve stress, especially if they don't involve a digital screen. Drawing, singing, dancing, all these are effective ways to improve emotional health. In addition, a British study found that just six minutes of reading a day reduces stress more than walking or listening to music.

‍2. Be active

‍If you can’t visit gyms or sports centers, exercises at home. In addition to improving your mental health, you will also feel better physically.

‍3. Enjoy walks with your close ones

‍This is an extremely enjoyable method for improving emotional stability. If you don't have a mountain nearby, the city park is a great alternative to get away from the noise and digital devices. If you combine the walk with pleasant company, the effect will be twice as good, guaranteed!

‍4. Get 8 hours of sleep every day

‍This advice probably doesn't surprise anyone. Many studies examine the benefits of good sleep, and everyone has experienced them at least once. Here comes the moment when the schedule for the day should be arranged so that there is enough time for sleep and it’s not always easy, we know.

‍5. Talk about your feelings with someone you trust

‍Talking to a loved one always brings us positives. It has been proven that during the time spent with loved ones, the brain produces more serotonin, the hormone of happiness, and it, in turn, improves our mental health.

‍6. Look for a professional help, if you need it

‍Talking to a professional about feelings and emotions is perfectly normal. Talking to family and friends is always useful, but the expertise of the professional view and the fact that he won’t be connected to you emotionally will certainly give you a new perspective on the situation.

‍7. Eat healthy

‍Here again, the benefits are more than one. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables improves tone, helps maintain good physical shape and you will avoid depression due to a deficiency of important vitamins and minerals. When the body feels healthy and in harmony, the emotional state also improves, so it is necessary to consume fresh and seasonal food regularly.Our mental health can be affected by many aspects of our lives, including our social relationships, physical health, level of productivity, access to basic needs, specific genetic traits, and personality. To survive, it is important to take care of it daily, and the commitment of companies is growing.

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