MENTAL WELLNESS AT WORK

Pallavi Pinakin stresses the importance of mental wellbeing at this time

Along with the herculean logistical challenges that the pandemic brought over the past year or so, the world has also seen a dramatic uptick in mental health issues. Unlike with COVID-19, there is no vaccine for stress, sadness, anxiety, depression and a slew of other problems that are alarmingly widespread.

A number of contributing factors can be identified. Fears about job security have played a huge role as have concerns regarding the health and safety of loved ones. At the peak of the pandemic, governments around the globe instituted lockdowns and curtailed movement. While some people welcomed the change, others felt trapped and overwhelmed.

The overnight switch to WFH left millions of employees struggling to manage their work remotely. With schools closed and outside help unavailable, working parents (especially mothers) had to cope with additional household tasks, home-schooling children and caring for elderly family members.

At the other end of the spectrum, people who live on their own have battled extreme isolation.

While the worst is hopefully behind us, the psychological toll will continue to be felt for a long time. Here are a few suggestions – a checklist of sorts – to help you safeguard your mental and emotional wellbeing over the coming months. If you have a serious mental health concern such as an anxiety disorder or clinical depression, it’s best to seek professional help.

TALK ABOUT IT Despite great strides in progress over the last few decades, there’s still a taboo with regard to mental health problems – especially in the East. Unfortunately, silence is a breeding ground for psychological turmoil.

Without a healthy outlet, people carry negative feelings and become trapped in a vicious cycle of worry or regret. Being able to share your concerns with a sympathetic listener can make you feel supported and less alone. If you’ve been struggling to cope, it’s time to seek out a trusted friend, family member or therapist and confide in them.

MIND CONTROL Practices such as meditation and yoga help create self-awareness around your emotional state of mind. By acknowledging your feelings, you can gain a measure of control over them. Moreover, much of our anxiety stems from worrying about the past or future.

Mindfulness grounds you in the present moment, calms your racing mind and brings about a state of inner balance. Remember, these benefits come with time… so it’s important to establish a regular habit. Join a meditation group or try apps such as Headspace and Simple Habit.

BE GRATEFUL Science tells us that expressing gratitude and appreciation regularly lifts the mood, reduces stress and makes a person feel better about life. An excellent way to inculcate this attitude into your daily routine is by maintaining a ‘gratitude journal.’

Entries don’t need to be long and detailed – a single sentence or even bullet points are good enough. This simple practice is a powerful way to enhance happiness and cultivate an optimistic mindset.

ENJOY LEISURE Even in places where COVID-19 infections are under control, several corporates are continuing to stick with the WFH model. If you are part of this workforce, it’s crucial to draw a line between business hours and personal time. Research shows that many employees tend to work longer hours from home, often at the cost of pursuits such as hobbies, exercise and socialising that boost wellbeing.

So make it a point to switch off your computer at a predetermined hour and move into ‘me time’ with an enjoyable ritual like going for a walk or making your favourite tea. This sends a signal to your brain that the workday is over and it’s time to relax.

Create space for activities such as playing your favourite sport, listening to music or spending time with friends, which bring joy and recharge your batteries.

GET IN TOUCH With increasingly hectic schedules and reduced in-person gatherings, many people have lost touch with close friends, colleagues and extended family. As human beings, we are inherently social creatures and meaningful connections with other people are vital for our mental wellbeing.

Your inner circle also functions as a support network when times are hard. These are the people you can laugh with and confide in. They give you fresh perspectives and a shoulder to lean on.

Even if you don’t have time for hourlong phone calls or endless Zoom parties, you can employ short regular interactions to maintain these precious relationships.

So take a moment to think about two or three people you really miss spending time with and send them each a quick text. Ask how they’re doing and tell them you’ve been thinking about them. These types of check-ins are a good way to keep the lines of communication open.