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Office stress is a part of an adult’s life and if your job is extra demanding, the anxiety level on days can shoot up. Rigorous demands of the job, including strict deadlines, round-the-clock availability, travel to risky locations can significantly impact work-life balance and thus, your mental health. This can make employees prone to stress-related problems, anxiety, and mood disorders along with other psychiatric conditions.
Unfortunately, because of a prevailing stigma, mental health support for employees is often overlooked, shares Charu Prabhakar, RCI accredited Clinical Psychologist, Lissun. But the expert points out that it’s essential to safeguard the mental well-being of employees at both individual and organisational levels.
At the Individual Level:
1. Daily Self-Care Regimen: Encouraging working professionals to prioritise self-care activities such as regularly exercising, getting adequate sleep, healthy nutrition, spending time with their loved ones, virtual detox, and mindfulness practices can bolster their resilience against stress.
2. Stress Management: Learning techniques to manage stress by practicing, thought journaling, deep breathing exercises, mindfulness practices, and time management strategies, can help journalists better cope with the pressures of their profession.
3. Burnout Management: Educating people on recognising the signs of burnout and implementing effective strategies to prevent and manage it, such as setting boundaries, taking regular breaks, and engaging in hobbies or relaxation activities, is crucial.
4. Seeking Therapy: Seeking individual therapy or counselling for mental health concerns can help demanding professionals access the support they need to thrive in their careers.
At the Organisational Level:
1. Peer Support: Establishing peer support networks or mentorship programs within the organisation can provide journalists with a supportive environment where they can share experiences, seek advice, and receive emotional support from colleagues facing similar challenges.
2. Employee Assistance and Wellness Programs (EWAP): EAWPs are crucial for people working in professions like media, corporate offices, and many more facing the stress of strict deadlines. Confidential counselling services within these programs offer a safe space for people to discuss challenges, manage stress, and develop coping strategies along with services of crisis intervention, and referral services to provide mental health support when needed.
3. Promoting Work-Life Balance: Encouraging a culture that prioritises work-life balance through policies such as flexible work hours, telecommuting options, and paid time off can help reduce job-related stress and prevent burnout among working people.
