Today’s companies keep people at the center and prioritize mental health. Health persistently striving to improve work-life balance, fostering wellness and promoting a positive work culture. This is contrary to the times before COVID-19, when mental health was sidelined for years and deprived of the attention it deserved due to social norms and stigmas.
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr. Kersi Chavda, Consultant Psychiatrist at PD Hinduja Hospital and MRC in Mahim, shared, “Today it is believed that a person owes it to themselves to actualize their potential and this would include becoming the best i can. It can be intellectual, physical, mental, physical and social. There is often a lack of confidence to push yourself and get what you need to achieve this goal.”
He added: “There is also the feeling of being selfish if you put your needs first. This is where wellness programs that are holistic in nature come in. There is a general attempt to work on these different aspects all together, to be the best that one can be. Having everything available under one roof also helps a person make the most of the time they have available, given the race against traffic and time we all seem to face in today’s cities. Therefore, holistic wellness programs have begun to play an important role in today’s generation.”
Uma Yeleswarapu, People Experience Manager at Progress, suggested: “A good and balanced mind can not only support an organization’s values, vision and growth, but also help nurture teammates and colleagues to generate positivity. at work. A positive mindset improves performance and helps build great work and personal relationships. Family may come first when dealing with emotions, but when they are handled with good support from the employer, the results are better.”
According to her, employers should offer a series of monthly wellness and wellness programs during which colleagues can learn directly from proven experts in groups and individually more about topics like good parenting, coping with stress, yoga for the mind and body. body, laughter therapy, host sessions with medical experts to raise awareness of women’s menstrual health, cervical cancer, and help colleagues better manage their finances with tax and financial wellness sessions. She insisted on always being highly conscious of the well-being of employees through the employee assistant program, offering to help employees handle a personal situation, being there for them and supporting them through thick and thin.
Hemanth Mundra, Senior Director and Global Human Resources Director at Qentelli, revealed some simple yet effective practices to minimize burnout, increase productivity, support learning, work extensively towards employee mental, physical and financial health, and support the welfare of employees. These include:
1. Yoga and wellness sessions – To help employees reduce stress and improve energy levels, introduce Yoga sessions. For better reach, make the trainer available virtually so employees can practice it in the comfort of their homes.
2. Team outings – They are fun ways to promote team bonding and reduce stress in the workplace. Organize and encourage employee participation in team sports, a weekend trip to a resort, group dinners, etc.
3. Lockdown games – In the gloomy scenario of Covid-19 and unprecedented lockdowns, make it an opportunity to deal with isolation by playing fun games like tambola, quizzes, etc. to manage stress.
4. Physical challenges – To keep remote employees healthy, run fitness challenges. They help employees achieve their fitness goals and give them peace of mind.
5. Office infrastructure – A good office infrastructure plays an important role in reducing stress. Design the office in a way that is pleasing to mental health and boosts morale. To add some cheer, include houseplants, monkey bars, and swings.
6. Regular feedback – Conduct surveys and encourage regular 1-on-1s to establish employee satisfaction, happiness, and productivity.
7. Celebrations – To relieve anxiety, organize celebrations and gather at festivals. Decorate the workplace, organize festive games and give exciting gifts.
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