Taking care of your mental health at work

Staying motivated and maintaining mental wellbeing at work can be challenging, especially during times of uncertainty. Here are some actions you can take, using Friday Pulse’s framework, to help you sustain energy and boost overall happiness.

Tree with calming beach

Connect and build meaningful relationships

Maintaining strong connections with colleagues is key to staying motivated and mentally healthy. Whether through virtual meetings, team-building activities, or in-person interactions, building genuine relationships improves communication and collaboration. Consider setting up virtual coffee breaks or team lunches to foster personal connections.

Encourage open conversations: Make it a point to talk openly about wellbeing, personal challenges, or stress. Whether it’s a casual check-in or a team-wide discussion, such transparency fosters trust and support among colleagues. Don’t hesitate to ask for help or support when needed.

Find purpose in your work

Meaningful work is a powerful motivator. Identifying how your role contributes to your organization’s goals or the well-being of others can boost morale and engagement. Help your team focus on work that adds value to their roles and aligns with the company’s mission.

Share stories of impact: Celebrate moments when your work positively impacted a customer or another team. Storytelling helps reinforce the importance of everyone’s contributions, making work more meaningful.

Maintain balance and avoid burnout

Setting clear boundaries between work and personal life is essential for staying energized. During intense periods, it’s particularly important to step back, take breaks, and recharge. Encourage your team to establish personal rules to create a balance, such as specific work hours or taking short breaks during the day.

Look after one another: Make it a point to check in on colleagues and offer help if someone seems stressed or overwhelmed. Being a supportive team member can go a long way in fostering a positive, productive work environment.

Embrace learning and adaptability

Workplace challenges present opportunities to grow and develop new skills. Encourage your team to embrace change and seek out learning opportunities. Whether it’s learning a new tool, brainstorming solutions, or discussing the best ways to approach a challenge, adapting and learning from one another fosters both personal and team development.

Celebrate learning moments: Organize informal learning sessions where team members can share new skills or insights. These opportunities not only build skills but also foster a collaborative culture where everyone can learn from one another.

Cultivate positivity and resilience

In challenging times, focusing on the positives helps build resilience. Gratitude and appreciation improve mental health, so make it a habit to regularly thank your colleagues for their contributions. Recognizing the team’s accomplishments, no matter how small, fosters an uplifting environment.

Reframe negative situations: Instead of dwelling on problems, encourage your team to look ahead and focus on what can be improved. Ask questions like, “What would a great outcome look like?” to create a forward-looking mindset.

By integrating these practices into your daily and weekly routines, you and your team can stay motivated, energized, and mentally well, no matter what challenges come your way.

Need additional support?

If you're experiencing more serious mental health concerns, it's important to reach out for support. Talk to your HR team, senior leaders, or seek help from a mental health professional or external support service near you. Taking care of your wellbeing is crucial, and there are resources available to help you navigate through tough times.