Mental Health In The Workplace

In a study conducted by Opinium in partnership with the University of Warwick, a poll of over 2,000 UK employers and managers found that 56% of employees had at some point struggled with their mental health. Of these, 80% said it had impacted their work.

The research also found that only a third took time off work for their mental health, stating reasons such as not wanting to admit their problems to their manager, not believing mental health was a valid reason for a sick day, and thinking their employer wouldn’t understand.

Additionally, more than three-quarters of managers believe businesses lack key support and education around mental wellbeing in the workplace, as the research reveals one in five employees with mental health problems worry that telling their employer could jeopardise their career.

It's no wonder then, that speaking about your mental health in the workplace can feel like a tricky subject to broach. Now more than ever though, it’s important to protect your mental health and wellbeing at work, as well as being aware of the things you can do to keep it in check.

How to take care of your well-being at work?

If you’ve just started a new job or things are particularly stressful at work, it can be difficult to consider how to take care of yourself properly. When you’re struggling with your mental health, you might find it harder to eat or sleep, you might end up working late, or you may even forget exercise and hobbies you’d usually love to catch up on rest.

When you’re stressed out and overwhelmed, it may be tricky to look after yourself, but your mental health should always be a priority. Fortunately, nowadays employee wellbeing is also increasingly important to employers.

If you’re looking for support and advice, try reading our tips for improving your mental health in the workplace below:

Talk to a trusted colleague

If you don’t feel you can share how you’re feeling with your manager, try talking to a trusted colleague. It’s totally up to you how much you choose to share with them, but it can really help to voice your concerns and get things off your chest. You might find they’re then able to lend you helpful advice.

Get plenty of rest and take breaks

Be sure to take the time to rest up during busy or stressful work weeks. Getting plenty of sleep and taking regular breaks from work can help reset your mind and keep anxiety at bay. When it comes to looking after your mental health at work, the more rest you’re able to get (particularly during the working week) the more energy you’ll have day to day.

Prioritise exercise and fresh air

It goes without saying, but try to make sure you’re getting plenty of fresh air and including exercise as part of your weekly routine, however small or short a session it might be. Even a short walk or a gentle swim can make all the difference to your stress levels and help to clear your head.

When you take your lunch break at work, be sure to get out if you can and stretch your legs. It can also help to take some time away from the screen.

If you’re feeling up to it, try a more intense session like boxercise, spin class, or bodypump – all great ways to get those endorphins pumping! Why not check out some of the classes we have on offer at Better UK.

Eat healthy snacks

Food is fuel not only for the body but for the mind, and eating the right things - particularly when you’re feeling stressed or anxious - can really help to support your mental health and wellbeing.

To boost your mental health, focus on eating plenty of fruits and vegetables along with foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon or mackerel. Dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale and chard are brain protective, while nuts, seeds and legumes, such as beans and lentils, are also excellent brain foods.

Be kind to yourself

Remember that you’re not invincible, you’re only human, and everyone makes mistakes. The best thing you can do is to be kind to yourself, and treat yourself as you would a friend. The chances are, you’re beating yourself up about something far more than your colleagues or boss are, so take the time to reflect on the positives and consider that your wellbeing at work is actually as important as the job itself.

Practice mindfulness

Try to practice mindfulness in your daily life by making time for quiet contemplation. You could try reading or meditation, or attend a yoga class of your choice. Deep breathing can also help when you’re feeling extra anxious.

Mindfulness is also about being aware of how you’re feeling, including both mental and physical symptoms, and doing what you can to help aid or reduce any stress.

Learn new skills

According to the NHS, learning new skills can help improve your mental wellbeing and give you a renewed sense of purpose and motivation. This could be both inside and outside of the workplace. For instance, you could take up cooking or knitting, or try a new sport like swimming.

In the workplace, you could consider the following:

Mentoring a junior member of staff
Starting a workplace club – running, a book club, whatever it is you’re passionate about!
Asking for training in a specific area or trying out a new course – it could be social media, public speaking, or any other area you’re interested in.
Shadowing a team member whose role you’re keen to learn more about

How to Discuss Mental Health at Work with your Manager

It can feel daunting speaking to your manager about your mental health at work, but the more they’re aware of how you’re feeling, the better they’ll be able to support you.

Here are our top tips for discussing mental health in the workplace with your employer:

Consider how much you’re comfortable sharing – however much of your situation you want to share is up to you, but if you’re unfazed by sharing what’s bothering you, know that it can really help your manager in supporting you in the long run.
Think about what you’d like the outcome to be. Do you feel you’d benefit from 1-2-1 counselling? A lighter workload? Or perhaps being able to work from home once or twice a week would help you. By considering a solution that will best help you and telling them what you need support-wise, you’re being proactive in addressing your mental health head on.
When you’re ready to talk to your manager about your problem, be sure to allow enough time for the meeting so the conversation isn’t cut short. Consider whether you’d feel more comfortable doing it over the phone, or in person.
If you feel you need to take a mental health day to rest your mind and body, then don’t be afraid to ask for it. Mental health days are now considered no different to sick days, and you’re entitled to ask for this when you’re feeling mentally unwell. Where possible, try to ask for it in advance. If you’re experiencing heightened issues though, of course this may not be possible.

If you’re wondering whether you have to share your mental health struggles with your manager, the answer is no, you do not. If, at the time, you feel you are managing it well and it isn’t affecting you at work, you may not wish to bring it up. Know that the decision is yours when it comes to bringing up your mental health at work.

If you’d like further support with your mental health in the workplace, take a look at these handy resources:

How to support mental health at work

NHS Mental Health

Mind