All employers have a responsibility for their employees’ health and safety in the workplace including physical and psychological risks. As today is World Mental Health Day, we asked Group Operations Director Danny Clarke for his top ten tips for improving mental health in the workplace.

1. Don’t be an ostrich – talk about your feelings. Don’t be afraid to ask for help
2. Keep active. Physical activity such as going for a walk boosts self esteem and helps with sleep and concentration. It will also help you look and feel better
3. Take a break. Sometimes a change of scenery can work wonders
4. Eat well. A good diet is good for your physical and mental health. Don’t fall into the trap of eating at your desk every day, bring a good lunch and step away from your work station to eat it
5. Drink sensibly. Alcohol is a depressant and drinking at the end of the day due to loneliness or to change your moods often ends up making you feel worse. Avoid alcohol and other drugs when you are struggling
6. Be social. Meeting up with friends and family goes a long way to helping keep sound mental health. Surround yourself with good people inside work and out
7. Do something you are good at. Enjoying your work is a key to beating stress and boosting confidence levels. Volunteering is also a good way of doing something you are good at, being social and giving back to others, all of which have been proven to help mental wellbeing
8. Take care of others. If you notice someone is struggling, reach out to them
9. Learn how to deal with stress
10. Set goals that you can achieve

The pressure of an increasingly demanding work culture in the UK is perhaps the biggest and most pressing challenge to the mental health of the general population. Work has a really important role in promoting mental wellbeing and is a key factor in self-esteem and identity. There are many ways in which employers can support their workers. Having good supervision, clear goals, appraisals and staff development are key things that some take for granted, but which can set the tone for supporting people at work. The things you can do to support someone having trouble adjusting often cost far less than having someone on sick leave, or having to recruit a replacement for a person who leaves. Flexible working hours, employee assistance programmes, mindfulness and relaxation sessions can all help to improve the wellbeing and productivity of employees across the organisation.

At Sound Advice we provide occupational health services which go far beyond the traditional reactive process of preventing ill health; we help instill preventative measures to ensure the mental and physical health and wellbeing of your employees. For more information call 0845 862 8040

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