One Year In: Why now is the right time time to bolster your team's mental health

This week, we passed a significant and pretty sad milestone: It's been a full year from when we shifted from our "normal" work environment and relationships to abruptly having to work from home due to the pandemic. It's been a lot. It's been heavy. Reflecting on the one year mark may bring up some feelings for your team. So, now is a great time to do something to support their mental health.

The good news is that there are things you can do to help your team adjust, adapt, and cope.

Here are some ideas.

1. Set & Respect Boundaries.

The lines between professional and personal time have become even blurrier, as we've all taken to working from our homes. It's hard to separate the stresses of work life from the stresses of home life, especially while balancing the emotional burden of enduring this pandemic.

But you can set — and respect — boundaries for yourself and your team. Do you need to set a meeting reminder to step away from your desk and eat lunch? Would you benefit from a 10-minute walk outside (mask on please!)? Challenge your team to find out what makes them feel good, and then — as a culture — stick to and encourage those habits and behaviors!

2. Introduce a Wellness Series.

Feeling good means different things to different people, but always requires tending to your entire self: mind, body, and soul. So, why not skip the "virtual happy hour" this month and instead test out a wellness series that includes:

• A learning & development session to engage the mind;
• A virtual fitness or stretching session to engage the body; and/or
• A virtual meditation session to tend to the soul

ZogCulture has tons of great class options that are easy, affordable, and work well for teams of all sizes.

3. Show empathy.

Look, at the end of the day, we're all human. And we're all going through something collectively, but we all also have our own issues, challenges, and baggage. So, when all else fails, show a little compassion and empathy. 

If someone appears to be disengaged or struggling—whether in work performance or just generally—check in with them on a personal level and be prepared for their honesty. Create a safe space for people to express what's going with them. Now, more than ever, that kind of kindness will go a long way in making someone feel valued, supported, and connected. In times like these, there is almost nothing more important.

We know times are hard, but they are getting better. And with the right support and plan, you can help your team get on or stay on a positive track. But mostly, you can create an environment that understands the importance of mental health, and where your employees can feel safe, supported, and valued.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Looking for a partner to help you with wellness programming? We can help!