It’s no secret that stress at work can be a threat to our mental health. Experts claim that job-related stress is one of the most prominent daily stressors in an adult's life. With prolonged stress, our productivity decreases, which is a risk factor for mental suffering. How is that stopped?

While we can't completely eliminate this source of tension, we can learn how to manage it. During the coronavirus pandemic, companies started paying more attention to mental well-being and their employees' feelings. This led to numerous benefit programs that started building employees’ resilience and taking care of their mental health issues. But why is it so important for your workplace?

1. Understand the importance of mental health 

As a vital component of overall health, mental health plays a huge role in a person's life. Whether we notice it or not, a lot of people have struggled with mental health issues at one point in their lives. So, if you live by the motto that a healthy workforce is a happy workforce, you mustn't neglect this type of well-being. How can you understand mental health better?

The absence of mental illness doesn't equate to good mental health. Poor mental health can lead to bad results in the workplace. It can affect your employees’ social life, as well as work performance. Boosting mental well-being helps employees take on new challenges and work towards their goals.

2. Effects on productivity and results 

Believe it or not, mental health issues aren't made-up excuses employees use. Such issues can seriously endanger their overall well-being. Besides that, bad mental hygiene affects productivity and results in your company. Employees who are struggling with such issues on daily basis tend to have less energy, motivation, and willpower to tackle new challenges which lead to career stagnation. 

Being overwhelmed with work can also lead to poorer results, mistakes, and frustration. Therefore, caring about employees' well-being at a workplace can help you maintain productivity levels, as well as attract new talents! Employers who invest in mental health care are ranked as more desirable than those who don't!

3. Teach coping skills

Coping skills are techniques your employees can use while feeling overwhelmed or extremely stressed. Allowing them to cool down and relax for a while is beneficial for them, their team, and their performance. So, consider teaching your employees some coping skills that will help them overcome stressful situations easier, minimize their frustration and get rid of negative thoughts! 

Hire a coach or get a course about coping mechanisms for your employees. Teach them how to breathe properly and channel their energy towards improvement and new challenges. For instance, some of the ways to stop negative thoughts are writing them down or being physically active. It can be fun training for your team to learn something new and bond more. 

4. Minimize stress with proper management

Did you know that improper management can be one of the biggest sources of stress in the workplace? Even if team leaders and managers are experts in the field, they can be bad at leading or have a lack of skills which puts them in such an unfavorable spot! So, to minimize employees' stress, implement proper management on many levels. How?

Time management plays a vital role in stress. If you're constantly breaking deadlines, chances are your stress levels are high. So, educate your employees about different types of management, task delegating as well as building relations within the team. It can truly help your employees feel better at the workplace.

5. Communication as a source of stress 

Miscommunication, quarrels, and conflicts have always been aggravating. Therefore, leading your employees towards proper, polite, and honest communication is vital in the workplace. Whether you work remotely or from the office, utilizing proper communication channels makes the entire process simpler for everyone. So, how can you minimize communication hardship and tension?

Besides the courses in polite, assertive, and open communication, you need to direct people to the right means of communication. Use apps that promote mental well-being and don't overwhelm employees with negativity and bad news. Consider competitors of Workplace by Facebook as an ideal spot to encourage socialization and promote positive communication in teams. 

6. Promote work-life balance

Having mental health benefits at work is necessary and fantastic for your employees. But sometimes all they need is a work-life balance! This allows them to rest properly and come to work more prepared. On top of that, it minimizes the chances of burnout and other stress-related reactions that can lead to serious issues. 

Promote work-life balance by limiting their working hours. Even though most companies allow flexibility, limiting their work to 8 or 9 hours a day is essential for proper rest. This means that they don't have to answer their phones outside work hours or check emails. With work-life balance, employees will have more time to spend with their families and doing things they love which boost mental health! 

<p>Additionally, some workplaces even provide relaxation spaces where employees can unwind, and others allow vapes as an option for those who use them as part of their routine. These small adjustments can make a significant difference in supporting employees' mental well-being.</p>

Final thoughts

As you can see, mental health is crucial for every workplace. Invest in your employees' mental well-being and they will invest in your business! As we said, a healthy workforce is a happy workforce!