PRIORITIZING WELLNESS: MENTAL WELL-BEING

Being in the “right mind” to work is half the battle. That’s why taking care of your mental health is just as important as prioritizing your physical well-being. In Part Two of our series on Prioritizing Wellness, we’ll look at the impact and implications of mental well-being.

See Part I: Prioritizing Wellness: Physical Well-Being

Prioritizing Mental Health in the Workplace

A workplace that prioritizes mental and emotional health ensures the well-being of its employees by fostering a supportive and inclusive culture. This starts with creating an environment where employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to express their thoughts and concerns openly.

Work-life balance is essential. Offering flexible work arrangements such as remote work, flexible scheduling, or shorter workweeks helps employees manage personal and professional responsibilities, reducing stress and burnout. As a business owner, it's crucial to encourage employees to take regular breaks, vacations, and time off to recharge and prevent exhaustion and disengagement.

Assess your Current Mental Well-Being

Mental well-being is really about understanding where you are now. Assessing your current levels involves self-reflection and observation of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

• Pay attention to trends or patterns in your daily mood and emotions.
• Consider your overall outlook on life and reflect on how you perceive and interpret events, challenges, and opportunities.
• Assess your level of satisfaction and fulfillment in areas of your life including relationships, work, hobbies, and personal goals.
• Look at your habits and behavior, including changes in your sleeping or eating patterns, energy levels, motivation, or interest in activities.
• Consider your coping mechanisms and stress management strategies.
• Evaluate your social connections and support network for meaningful relationships
• Ask for feedback from trusted friends, family members or mental health professionals.

Take this three-minute Mental Health Quiz!

Set Goals for Improving your Mental Well-Being

Goal setting can be helpful for improving your well-being.

• Identify areas in your life where you’d like to see improvement such as better stress management, enhanced relationships, personal growth and development.
• Break your goals down into smaller, manageable steps and work toward them gradually.
• Set realistic and achievable deadlines for each step and track your progress along the way.
• Celebrate successes and acknowledge your progress, even the smallest gains.

Close the Gap to Healthy Mental Well-Being

Closing the gap means exploring various opportunities and resources to support your overall well-being.

• Support groups provide a safe and support environment.
• A qualified therapist or counsel can provide individualized support, guidance, and therapy.
• A supportive relationship with a friend, family member, partner, or mentor can provide emotional validation, practical assistance, and a sense of connection.
• Regular exercise has numerous mental health benefits such as reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, improved mood and self-esteem, and enhanced cognitive function.
• Self-care activities such as setting boundaries, practicing mindfulness or relaxation, and engaging in hobbies or activities can bring you joy and fulfillment, along with taking time to rest.

To learn more about the programs and resources offered by the Association for Enterprise Growth, or to join our organization, contact us at admin@enterprisegrowth.com