Being kind to yourself is as important as being kind to others

In today’s fast-paced, constantly connected world, it’s more important than ever to make sure that we’re taking care of our mental health and wellness. But what does that mean? And why is it so important, especially in the workplace?

Mental wellness is an umbrella term that can refer to a wide variety of things, but at its core, it’s all about proactively taking care of your mental health to prevent or manage mental illness. Mental illness is any condition that affects your mood, thoughts, or behavior and can make everyday activities difficult to cope with. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 1 in 5 adults in the United States (that’s 20%) lives with a mental illness.

So, why is workplace mental wellness so important?

For one thing, the workplace is where we spend the majority of our time; according to a study from Gallup, the average American spends more than 8 hours per day at work. That’s a lot of time spent in an environment that can be full of stressors like tight deadlines, demanding clients, and challenging projects.

Additionally, poor workplace mental wellness can have a seriously negative impact on both individual employees and businesses as a whole. For example, employees who are struggling with their mental health are more likely to take sick days, be less productive while they’re at work, and have higher rates of absenteeism. Poor workplace mental wellness can also lead to increased turnover rates as employees leave companies in search of healthier environments. Moreover, businesses that don’t prioritize workplace mental wellness may find themselves at a competitive disadvantage; according to a study from Glassdoor, 61% of respondents said they would not apply for a job at a company that doesn’t have strong mental health benefits and 57% said they would leave their current job for one that does have better benefits.

Conclusion:
The importance of workplace mental wellness cannot be understated. Not only does it impact the individual employees within a company, but it can also have serious implications for businesses as a whole. If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to promoting workplace mental wellness within your organization, there are plenty of resources and best practices out there.

Remember, “Implementing even just a few simple changes could make a world of difference for both your employees and your business.”

Click here to check out our webinar recording on this super-important topic.