How is the work environment linked to mental health?

More than half of our hours awake are spent at work or in work-related activities, so working conditions or the working environment in general play an important role in our mental health.

The factors that can affect an employee are:

• Workload
• Extended working hours
• Working
• Health issues
• Company culture
• Excessive rules
• Workplace bullying
• Impersonal management
• Job uncertainty
• Lack of procedures and organisation
• Lack of boundaries
• Balance between personal and professional life
• Imbalance between effort and rewards
• Discrimination between employees
• Inability to control work
• Feeling of being unappreciated and disrespected

According to a study by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, work-related stress triggers not only mental health problems such as depression but also other conditions such as cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal problems and diabetes mellitus.

Behavioural imprinting refers to constant stress, poor work performance, mistakes and accidents, absenteeism, failure to meet deadlines, intention to change jobs, indifferent customer service, indifference, anger and violent outbursts, negativity and coldness.

• Almost 50% of sick leave cases are initiated by mental health, anxiety or depression issues that present themselves in the form of body aches and pains.
• 64% of employees feel that stress from work affects their personal life.
• 2 out of 10 employees have somatised stress and experienced physical symptoms (difficulty breathing, heart or chest pain, numbness, dizziness).
• 10% of employees experience panic attacks.
• 6 out of 10 report poor sleep quality.

Is there a solution?

To understand the causes of the situation and to be able to determine what needs to change, we start by taking stock of the situation at the present moment. The following questions will help in this process.

"What is the problem?"

"What is the cause?"

"How do I feel about it?"

"How do I want things to be?"

"What can I do as a first step to improve them?"

Explore the possibility of talking to a superior about the issue you are facing.

• Update on the current situation by stating facts.
• Explain how and to what extent it affects you.
• Suggest the actions you think would help (flexible working hours, change of role, training, etc.).
• Work with your limiting beliefs, your deep-rooted beliefs that are holding you back.
• Don't jump to your own conclusions. Often reality is different from the interpretation we give it.
• Don't take everyone's opinion personally. It is their truth, not yours.
• Stand firm in your values, in who you are and what is important to you.
• Manage your time. Prioritize your tasks according to how important or urgent they are.
• Set healthy boundaries and show respect for your needs. Setting boundaries without guilt boosts self-esteem and leads to balance.
• Think positively. Don't rush to see the negatives first or jump to the conclusion that nothing will go right.
• Strengthen your self-care. Include activities in your daily routine that enhance mental, physical and spiritual health.
• Make sure you get plenty of rest and don't overexert yourself.
• Take care of your diet and get movement in your life.
• Do the 4-7-8 breathing
• See a specialist.

It is important not to turn a blind eye to the problem but to deal with it with determination. Everyone's mental health is valuable.