It's not all about "IT" you know.
Promoting good mental health.
Mental Health at Work
We spend most of our waking life at work. We form strong relationships with the teams we work with. And we put much effort in to making our projects a success. A little competition at work is fun. A little stress at work is healthy. When there is too much compeition or too much stress, our performance is negatively impacted:
- We sleep less or more. We "put on" or "lose" weight.
- We are less fun to be around. We snap at people or ignore them.
- We are easily distracted. We can not finish the activities we started.
- We procastinate.
When do you know it is getting too much? Rarely you recognise it yourself. Often we recognise it more in others. But we shy away from bringing it up, in case we have misunderstood and we get it wrong. But what if you are not wrong? As we say in agile, it is better to fail fast (in other words, if you are wrong, know you are wrong as soon as).
You do not have to be a health worker. Know your company's policy on mental health. Then start a discrete conversation; be ready to listen foremost. You can not solve their health issues; be their friend - support them to seek professional help.
Artwork provided by: Camila Quintero Franco
Mental Health at Home
For some, work is a refuge, a place to be distracted from difficulties at home, be them personal, physical or financial.
Today's social media makes it looks like everyone is having such a wonderful time, just not you. But this is just an illusion. We only post the good in our lives.
We are great a presenting a persona that is not ourself. But many of signs we're struggling at work are the same signs we're struggling at home too. Why not invite your colleague out for a sandwich/coffee, or better still, bring in some hot food to share, to kick start that conversation.
Artwork provided by: Nik Shuliahin
Find Perspective
We can all get distracted with the run of the mill that is life. We can all benefit from a little mindfullness. It is not selfish to think of yourself; it is an act of generosity.
My life long partner is an addict; a recovering addict. It has been years now, and I am so proud how he manages his addiction (once an addict you are forever an addict). At first, he struggled with the "higher power" when he started his journey with the AA. But often he reminds me I can only do what I can just for today. But the most powerful is the Serenity Prayer; often just hearing this prayer brings me solace. And because of that, I cite here for you.
God, grant me the serenity To accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.
Artwork provided by: Keegan Houser