Benefits of a Mentally Healthy Workforce

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and burnout among workers. Dealing with the impacts of work-related mental health issues is an important topic. Business owners and HR leaders should actively advocate for better resources for worker health as well as prioritize and foster wellness in the workplace.

Stress in the workplace can result in a range of mental and physical health issues as well as create dissatisfied and unfulfilled employees. According to studies, employees who experience “excessive and prolonged stress” are more likely to face emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion, and are likely to be overwhelmed and unable to meet the demands of their job. Today's fast-paced work conditions can directly conflict with our need to get adequate rest and relaxation. 

Employee wellness programs are designed to help employees create a healthier lifestyle and cultivate a holistic working environment.

Why it matters

Extreme stress can take a toll on anyone. Mental illness impacts one in five adults in the U.S.

When a workforce is unhealthy, it has more employees who take more sick days, productivity suffers, the turnover rate is higher, and stress levels are up. The CDC website states that many employers are unaware of the linkages between health and productivity. Productivity losses related to personal and family health problems cost U.S. employers $1,685 per employee per year, or $225.8 billion annually. On the other hand, Cigna noted that for every $1 spent on integrated care, a US employer saves $6 in overall medical costs.

Chronic conditions, such as stroke, heart disease, obesity, and diabetes, are among the most preventable types of illnesses. Depression is also a costly issue as mental health left untreated can have a range of impacts to employees from lost wages, to additional medical expenses, absences, and job turnover. Businesses are becoming more aware of the overall costs associated with an unhealthy workforce.

Mental illnesses affect employees in multiple ways. Of course, it can negatively alter job performance and productivity, but mental illness also affects an employee’s communication with coworkers and their physical capability to function daily.

While the concept of a healthy workplace is not new, the COVID-19 pandemic has added to the stressors. People worry about their safety and getting exposed, social exclusion, quarantining, job loss, and dealing with ever-changing regulations. The pandemic has been a wakeup call to employers as they realize the importance of supporting their employees’ health holistically, including their families. Employers must prepare workplaces to support the fundamentals of an evolving workforce’s wellness needs and encourage work/life integration through wellness programs. A good employee wellness program should cater to the employees’ emotional, physical, mental, and financial wellness.

A workplace wellness program is essential because the workplace is like a second home for many employees. Business can create and implement a comprehensive set of health promotion and protection strategies, including programs, policies, benefits, and environmental support. The focus should be on mental health and holistic wellness to create a better working environment. Wellness programs make employees feel appreciated and valued. Employees in good health are more likely to deliver optimal performance and reach their highest potential.

Mindfulness in the workplace

Wellness programs are more than health screenings and nutrition classes. It’s about building a holistic wellness culture through communication, training, leadership, and corporate values that helps employees calm their minds, feel more fulfilled, improve focus, and enjoy their work.

Companies are using more holistic approaches to wellness to create a happier workforce.  There has been more research in the area of mindfulness at work to reduce some of the stressors through wellness programs like mindfulness. The definition of mindfulness is being present and conscious in the moment and not focused on the past or worrying about the future. Mindfulness is shown to enhance emotional intelligence, being fully attentive to a single task at hand, and being aware of stress or anxiety when it arises. When an employee is mindful, they are able to react non-judgmentally and are more adaptable to the circumstances around them. Employees with high levels of resilience are able to get through any challenges more easily, regulate emotions, and manage stress levels. Being able to adapt quickly and efficiently at work is essential. It means you can quickly adapt to different situations and handle multiple demands while being mindful of your responses.

Many well-known companies like Google, Adobe, General Mills, Goldman Sachs, and Fidelity Investments all have formal initiatives to promote stress reduction techniques and promote employee engagement.

Benefits

Studies have demonstrated the benefits to employees’ well-being, including lowering blood pressure, improved memory and cognition, and lessened anxiety and depression. Stress can have devastating effects on people’s health, both mental and physical, but being able to manage stress effectively can dramatically improve their health. Mindfulness trainings provides employees and business leaders with the tools required to more effectively navigate change and deal with challenges more successfully in times of stress.

There are many ways to deliver mindfulness programs to employees, including webinars, onsite classes, self-paced courses, and facilitated programs. Mindfulness can be implemented through different approaches like meditation, yoga, and breath work. Mindfulness techniques like meditation can reduce the adverse effects of anxiety and stress.

Mindful businesses tend to be more proactive, as they focus on what is actually happening around them, rather than acting out of habit or comfort zone. Employees searching for a company to work for look for businesses with effective wellness initiatives. It is important to promote mindfulness at work to not only increase productivity and cut costs associated with healthcare, but also to enhance employees' mental wellness and foster collaboration. Employees are a company's most precious asset, so keeping them in excellent physical and mental health sets them up for continued success.