Tried and tested ways of boosting mental health at work can often run stale – especially if you’re observing increased mental health-related absences. With so much going on in the world, rising costs and personal issues beyond your control, you may be wondering what else you can do to keep staff in work and ensure they perform at their best. For them to do this, staff must have access to the right resources.
This guide will cover creative ways to boost mental health at work and how they can help your staff.
Why should I care about mental health at work?
Have you produced your best work when you weren’t feeling your usual self? Most likely not, so how can you expect staff to do so?
Good mental health is so important for both our professional and personal lives. Without good mental health, it can be hard to get out of bed, let alone deal with the normal and everyday pressures at work and beyond.
Finding better emotional wellbeing is a personal journey and unique to everyone. And if your efforts feel a bit stale as of late, we have some creative mental health initiatives in the workplace that won’t break the bank.
Mental health initiatives to boost staff wellbeing
Whether you’re a business owner looking to get more involved with employee wellbeing, or work in people management and HR, here are some ways to get people more engaged and productive while managing their mental health.
1. Employee-led hobby clubs
Fantasy football, book clubs, weekly yoga in a meeting room, quizzes, craft afternoons…you name it. Having dedicated time each week to a wellbeing activity can give your people something to look forward to. The key is to make it employee led, as this encourages autonomy and trust. It could be a good idea to alternate activities on a rotation so there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
2. Booze-free social events
While it’s common for most workplace socials to involve alcohol – approximately one in five adults in the UK do not drink alcohol for reasons ranging from health to conscious sobriety. Social pressure to drink alcohol can make some individuals feel uneasy, so why not remove it altogether and encourage low or no-alcohol events?
3. Local company-wide volunteering
Charity work has been strongly linked to improved mental health, with 77% of UK volunteers agreeing it benefits their mental wellbeing! Having a day out to give back to the community can do wonders for mental health. Whether it’s once a month, quarter or every 6 months, it gives your people a day to do good for a cause they care about. Here are some ideas to help get the creativity going
• Hosting a blood drive
• A sports day
• Charity bakes sale
• Litter picking and other public clean-ups
4. Create a company podcast
What does your business offer that stands out in the workplace, and how can you link it to wellbeing? A podcast can be a great way for your people to build additional skills, build brand awareness, and partake in something both you and your staff can be proud of. Why not put yourself in the hot seat and ask one or two employees to ask you questions for an episode!?
Some other ideas for your company podcast could include:
• The impact your industry has on worker’s mental health
• How you as a business owner prioritise wellbeing in the workplace
• The unique mental health challenges of your industry
• How you see your industry adapting to current needs of the workforce.
5. Gamify wellness activities
Everyone loves a bit of competition. And if that’s not the vibe, gamifying wellness activities in some way can encourage more fun and light-heartedness in the workplace. For example, if you have running charity event, see if your staff want to compete and rack up their fastest running time.
You could even offer some kind of incentive if your staff stick to their wellness activity of choice to keep them motivated, such as vouchers, extended breaks and cash prizes towards a charity of choice. Want to keep track? Check out how our Wisdom app can help you and your people do so.
6. Incorporate wellness hours
Having dedicated time per week for staff to focus on wellbeing is a great way to incorporate it into the workplace. It could involve short mindfulness sessions, stretching, or other relaxing activities of your employee’s choice.
7. Technology-free breakout rooms
Really assess the rooms your employer has access to – can any be converted in breakout rooms for wellbeing? If so, it could be worth encouraging a technology-free zone to encourage your people to truly relax in the space. Of course, smartphones can be used for timekeeping, but encouraging things like stretching, gentle movement, meditation and the like can do wonders in promoting mental and physical wellbeing.
8. Create a relaxation zone
If you don’t have a room to dedicate to a technology-free zone, why not dedicated a corner of the office or workspace to wellbeing? Whether it’s equipping it with books and a reading nook, or comfortable sofa in a quiet space with a room divider, it can help break up the office environment and give your people a place to escape to when they need a few minutes for their wellbeing.
9. “No questions asked” days
If the nature of your industry allows for it, a “no questions asked” day could be a great employee perk and even help with your recruitment efforts. Like a mental health day, a no questions asked day as an additional annual leave perk can be used once a year for whatever the employee needs. After all, some days can be particularly tough, so if this is something an employee can utilise when they need it most, then it’s worth having in the business.
If it’s simply not an option, compromise by offering flexible start and finish hours, or allow a select number of work-from-home days for when the going gets tough.
How can an Employee Assistance Programme boost mental health at work?
Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) can help boost wellbeing at work by giving your staff a confidential helpline to discuss concerns to do with their mental health. After all, some staff members may not know who to talk to internally, so they may wish to seek professional advice elsewhere. At HA | Wisdom Wellbeing, we provide in-the-moment support through live chat, video call or telephone 24/7, 365 days a year. Using a solution-focused model, our qualified counsellors can guide employees to reach their goals and help them cope better with any challenges they may be facing. We also support businesses by providing up-to-date information and content mental health and wellbeing content monthly for managers, leaders, HR and employees alike.
Conclusion
Boosting mental health and wellbeing at work doesn’t have to break the bank. While it can be all too easy to say “we’re here to talk”, your people may not feel able to for a variety of reasons. Through conscious wellbeing efforts, you can boost mental health in employees and help them feel valued. In turn, you’ll observe better engagement, productivity and boosted morale over time. Plus, by providing access to a confidential support line such as an EAP, employees will be able to take mental health into their own hands, combat workplace stress and feel more inclined to partake in activities that promote wellness.
