Mental health in the workplace

Mental health affects the UK hugely, with anxiety and depression being the most common mental disorder in Britain, with 7.8% of people meeting criteria, and 4-10% of people in England likely to experience depression in their lifetime.

So whilst we know the severity of mental health within the country, we may not always be clear on how mental health exists within the workplace and the effect this can have. According to the Mental Health Foundation, 1 in 6.8 people experience mental health problems in the workplace; of this, evidence has suggested that 12.7% of all sickness days in the UK can be due to mental health conditions.

It is important to ensure you are keeping your mind healthy during work to avoid any work related stress or anxiety. So we have put together our top tips on keeping your mind healthy at work:

• Plan your day

It’s important to be realistic about how much you can do in a day. Make a plan at the start of your day, list your priorities and work to reasonable deadlines.

• Take your full lunch break

We’re all guilty of not always taking our full lunch break or even eating our lunch whilst we work, however we have this time for a reason. It’s a good chance to spend time to ourselves and to refresh for the next half of the day; so make sure you use the full break wisely.

• Use your commute to unwind

The commute to and from work is a great time to relax and spend time enjoying music, reading a book, catching up on the latest TV series or just listening to the news.

• Ask your colleagues for help.

Our colleagues are there to support us when we need it, so if you’re feeling under pressure or swamped with work, don’t feel afraid to ask for help. It’s likely they will ask for some support occasionally too, so you’ll have a chance to repay the favour.

• Step outside for some fresh air.

If you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, take a minute to get some fresh air and take a deep breath. This will allow you to go back to your work afresh and with a clear mind.

If you’re feeling stressed at work, follow our tips or find out more information for support from the Mental Health Foundation.