As people struggle to cope with continued isolation, lack of social connection, health concerns, remote work challenges, and financial pressures, it can have a huge impact on their overall health and well-being.
A large number of employees admit to increasingly lower levels of resilience, meaning they often don't have the skills to cope with the challenges they're facing. This can negatively impact everything from relationships to health to productivity. So, how can we become more resilient as individuals, as employers and as a society?
According to psychologist Dr. Helena Boschi, an expert on applied neuroscience in the workplace, "When we keep ourselves active, it helps our brain release dopamine in a way that keeps us motivated and engaged." A key aspect of resilience, she says, is to stay busy. "In a world with very little certainty, we need to find things we can control." In addition, factors like sleep, proper diet and exercise play a huge role in maintaining overall well-being, she adds.
When it comes to our work lives, employees, business leaders and advisors all play a key role in supporting and maintaining mental wellness.
"You should be creating the right balance in your digital day," Boschi says. "We can't just take the office environment and plunk it into our homes. One of the biggest problems right now is the boundaries between work and personal life are increasingly blurred."
And organizational leaders, including HR professionals, must lead by example. "Mental health shouldn't be an add-on to business life" she adds. "This is something that has to be integrated into every aspect of how we live.
Listen to Dr. Boschi and Editor-in-chief Paul Wilson talk about managing stress, supporting mental health and building a culture of resiliency.
Click here to listen to other Supporting Mental Health During Challenging Times Podcasts.
© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
