According to the Office for National Statistics, 875,000 people experienced mental health problems including stress, depression or anxiety as a result of work-related pressures in 2022/23.
By providing your teams with the right resources and creating an open dialogue around mental wellbeing, you can help build a happier, safer and more rewarding work environment.
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is a key step in this process, and one that requires active change and encouragement from management. Carry on reading to discover more about the secret to creating equilibrium between your work life and your personal life.
Take breaks
Getting away from your desk occasionally can help reset your focus, and allow you to return with a clear head. Looking at a screen too long, especially in a busy office environment, can also be overwhelming at times so it’s a good idea to give your eyes a break.
If you’re a manager, make an active effort to encourage your team to get up and move their legs - even if it’s just going into the next room to make a cup of tea. Get into the practice of taking breaks yourself too, as this will set an example and show colleagues that it is OK to recharge.
Prioritise your health
Health comes above all, but sometimes it can be hard to give it the attention it deserves as a busy professional. However, contrary to popular belief, improving your physical and mental health doesn’t have to involve any radical change. Small tweaks in your daily routine such as walking to work, meditating or meal prepping will make a huge difference to your mood and overall wellbeing.
Set boundaries
This one is possibly the most important on the list. Set boundaries. This means sticking to strict work hours and not thinking about work a minute past you finish for the day. Easier said than done, right? Here’s a few ideas to help you ‘switch off’ after work hours:
Have a separate work phone/laptop so you aren’t tempted to reply to work-related queries in your personal time.
If you work from home, try working in a specific room so it’s easier to disassociate from work when you’ve finished.
Establish clear working hours with your colleagues, team and clients so they know you won’t be reachable during your personal time. By setting expectations early on, you will ensure your boundaries are respected and abided by.
Improve organisation
It may sound counterproductive, but maintaining a high level of organisation can actually help mitigate stress. Learn when you’re most productive and block out your calendar so that you complete priority-tasks during this time. Try not to check your phone throughout the day as once you lose focus on a task, it is hard to start it up again. The same principal goes for emails - instead of wasting time checking them constantly, block out time in the morning (or whenever works best for your schedule) to read and reply. By improving productivity, you will not only feel rewarded at the end of the day but also reduce the risk of working overtime.
Don’t neglect your annual leave
With the uprise of hustle culture, there is a societal expectation to keep going even when it is evident that you need a break. Listen to your body and book time off when you’re beginning to notice symptoms of burnout - or preferably, before! Having a little holiday or even just a few days of relaxation at home can do wonders for not only your overall health, but also your productivity levels. Again, if you’re in a managerial role it is your responsibility to remind staff to take their designated holiday regularly throughout the year.
Whether you’re a supportive manager, or an employee within the built environment sector, we hope this article comes in handy.
Here at Pillar Partnership, we pride ourselves on putting our candidates first and that starts with health. To get in touch with our friendly team, email info@wearepillar.com today.
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