Over the last few years, mental health has become a prevalent point of conversation.
Between the COVID-19 pandemic, rise in gun violence, changes within the social-political context, environmental disasters and a myriad of other happenings, prioritizing one’s mental health and well-being has become a necessity. The constant bombardment of top story headlines and media saturation overload has perpetuated a lot of stress and feelings of uneasiness for the majority of people who are just trying to make it through their day. The landscape of news formats has also changed, with social media being a main source for keeping up with the latest information. We now have instant access to all of this communication at our fingertips – making it that much more difficult to escape from any current events that may come our way.
Interestingly enough, a study conducted by the Pew Research Center, found that approximately 50% of Americans get their news from social media “often” or “sometimes.” The majority of respondents from this survey reported their regular source of news as Facebook, followed by YouTube, and Twitter. Newer social media platforms such as Tiktok, are also on the rise, especially among younger generations. You may have heard of “doomscrolling or doomsurfing,” or the act of endlessly scrolling through and consuming accurate and essential, but negative news, which has also become increasingly more prevalent over the last few years.
This passive obsession can increase negative thoughts as well as feelings of anxiety, uncertainty, and distress, and lead to burnout. All of which, ultimately lead to poorer physical and mental health outcomes and decreased work performance and productivity.
Today, there aren’t a lot of opportunities to “unplug” or step away from the stressors that accompany life and all of the unprecedented events. This constant engagement with social media and additional news outlets can amplify anxiety and depression, as well as other mental health conditions. The change from traditional work environments has made it more increasingly difficult to unplug, as the work life boundary is harder to define. All of which, can also negatively impact mental health. These changes have collectively made it more demanding for some to keep up with their productivity measures and lead a functional life, which as you guessed it, also relates back to the mental health crisis our country is currently in. So, what does the current mental health landscape in America look like because of all of this? And how do we protect our mental health from it? How do we continue to keep up our productivity in the workplace, even with all of the surrounding noise?
THE CURRENT MENTAL HEALTH LANDSCAPE IN AMERICA
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) nearly 1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness in any given year. This figure is representative of more than 50 million people in the U.S. The statistic does not take into consideration the impacts of recent current events – with the COVID-19 pandemic alone prompting a 25% increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide. Additionally, a study conducted by the Pew Research Center found that 40% of Americans reported high levels of psychological distress during the pandemic. Although it is hard to determine the exact impacts of social media and other news formats on mental health, a survey conducted by Digital Third Coast found that the majority of respondents reported feeling overwhelmed and burnout by the news (65% and 67%, respectively). Studies have also discovered a close link between mental health and productivity, and how poor mental health can drastically affect motivation and productivity. The statistics related to mental health in America do not seem to be trending in a positive direction, especially as so many unparalleled events keep taking place. So, what can we do to limit the impacts of all of this endless commotion?
5 Steps You Can Take to Protect Your Mental Health In & Out of the Workplace
There are numerous activities that can aid in helping to protect your mental health in and out of the work place. I have listed the strategies that I have personally implemented, which have positively affected my overall mental health and granted me the ability to cope with the stressors I encounter in my day-to-day life.
Practice Mindfulness
We all know how easy it is to get caught up in the daily routine of everyday life. It is even more easy to get lost in the influx of news stories about current events. Practicing mindfulness and focusing on your current environment and state of being, can help ease some of the anxiety and depression that may accompany these daily doings. A mindfulness breathing technique that I personally like to use is the 4-7-8 method. This is where you inhale through your nose for four seconds. Hold in your breath for seven seconds. Exhale through your mouth for eight seconds. It helps to recenter your focus on your breath and calm an anxious mind.
Take a Walk
It is amazing how much 15 minutes of sunlight and exercise can improve one’s mood. Taking a short walk between meetings or work happenings can have a positive impact on your mental health and help you decompress from all that is going on around you. Even sitting in the sunshine for a few minutes a day can increase positive feelings.
Eat Healthy
Eating healthy is an essential part of protecting your mental health. Focusing on providing your body with balanced nutrition, will greatly enhance your mood and likely increase your work productivity as well. It is important to try to avoid sugar or overly processed foods, when possible. Meal prepping is also a good way to stay on track of your nutrition and to help avoid unhealthy cravings.
Unplug When Possible
As previously mentioned, it can be difficult to unplug from the media and the inundation of news surrounding current events. Establishing protective work life boundaries in this new “remote” working era is also challenging. Turning off your computer or limiting your screen time for even only a few extra minutes a day, can significantly help protect your mental health as well as protecting you from burnout. A tip that has helped me personally, is incorporating a phone application that keeps track of my screen time and lets me know when I need a break. It’s easy to let the hours in the day pass by, so being conscious of how you are allocating your time (especially in regard to screen time) is important in protecting your mental health.
Keeping Productivity Up in the Workplace
Now that life has returned to semi “normal” (for now) it is time to evaluate new strategies that can help keep employees engaged and motivated – all of which will ultimately enhance productivity. So how can an employer enhance employee productivity and retention by providing support for mental health?
Talking About It
Normalizing conversations about mental health is imperative to employees being successful at your company. It is important to create a safe work environment (whether in person or on-line) where employees feel comfortable expressing how they feel when needed. The era of stigmatizing conversations about mental health are over. Providing the opportunity for employees to express their feelings about their current being or workload are an essential part of enhancing productivity and performance. In the first quarter of this year, Atrómitos will assess its organizational culture using a validated and standardized tool. The evaluation outcome will guide a process that aims to preserve the cultural aspects that define our identity while achieving a more manageable workload to meet internal and external demands.
Prioritize a Healthy Work Life and Flexibility
The traditional ways of working at the office are no longer the only option for employees. Organizations must prioritize establishing healthy work life balances, so that employees can still have that disconnect between their workload and everyday life when needed. Allowing employees the flexibility in their schedule to choose what working hours fit best for their routine and responsibilities is another way to protect productivity against burnout.
Implementing a Workplace Mental Health Training Program
Another important strategy to consider is providing your employees with the proper tools and resources to help them manage their mental health and workload. A program will help reduce stigma and increase awareness about mental health issues, creating a more supportive and inclusive work environment. Employees will feel comfortable about seeking out help when it’s needed. By offering mental health training to your employees, you not only enhance their overall well-being but will increase job performance, productivity, and equip them with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and colleagues who may be struggling.
