Mental Health Awareness Week

10 May 2022 Anne Marie Fogarty

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Connections and Mental health

Considering how important your mental health is to every element of your life, it’s critical to take the necessary steps to protect and improve it. As part of a well-rounded lifestyle, mental wellness is essential.

 

This week is World Mental Health Awareness Week, and the theme this year is loneliness. People are sometimes afraid to acknowledge that they are lonely since the condition can be stigmatized. The solution is often found in connecting and communicating with others.

 

Changing workspaces and loneliness 

Any one of us despite outward appearances may be suffering silently from this often forgotten mental health illness. Due to our hectic schedules and lack of personal time with a career-focused ambition, many of us face isolation and loneliness.

With our changing workplaces embracing a hybrid or remote working systems, it can mean more time spent alone so it is ever important to ensure we connect frequently with others. For successful and happy hybrid working, a supportive approach can ensure every one of the team feel connected, listened to and part of the workforce. We did it, in the middle of a global pandemic, and we believe all good workplaces put their people first, and ensure they’re supported to reduce loneliness. We couldn’t be prouder of our people, our flexible workforce – healthcare workers and valued clients. Our policy of inclusivity and good communications helps us keep our team connected and involved- wherever they may be located for work.

Best Workplace for Wellbeing 

We are proud to have been recognized as a Best Workplaces™ for Wellbeing this year. We place great importance on our team’s mental health and well-being. We encourage talking and listening within the office and with our hybrid workers. With weekly huddles and ongoing employee assistance and support programmes, we are proud to be backing up with action our own personal model of putting people first.

Loneliness is nobody’s friend 

As a result of prolonged loneliness, our mental, physical, and emotional well-being are adversely affected. But there are several easy ways to break through loneliness and connect with others—here are just a few you can try inside and outside of work:

  • Make connections — family, friends, neighbours – connect with people.
  • Get involved in work/team events and coffee meet-ups, social functions or simple chats casually.
  • Consider taking a class or joining a group online that focuses on a subject you’d want to learn more about. It may be anything from a reading club to an art lesson to a fitness class.
  • Connect with nature, go for a walk in the countryside. Being socially active has been shown to have a beneficial effect on one’s mental health.
  • In the same way that attending a class or joining a club might help you meet new people; volunteer work can do the same for you.
  • There are several advantages to having a pet, especially a dog or a cat, and one of these is reducing feelings of loneliness. Rescuing a pet is a great approach to combat loneliness since it combines compassion and friendship.
  • If you’re feeling alone, make sure you’re taking care of your needs elsewhere. It’s always a good idea to practice self-care, but it’s more important when you’re feeling low. Long-term health benefits come from a well-balanced diet, regular physical activity, and adequate sleep.

It’s important to remember that everyone has been lonely at some point in their lives. As a society, we can help prevent a loneliness epidemic by looking out for and reaching out to people who are more isolated. All aspects of your life might be affected by your mental health. Don’t hesitate to seek the assistance of a qualified therapist or speak with your GP if you are having difficulty dealing with your mental health issues on your own.

Make this Mental Health Awareness Week count and mind your mental health. Whether in the office or remote- connect with people and combat loneliness.

10 May 2022 | Leave a comment

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