Tips for Promoting Well-Being on Jobsites

Are you working in the construction industry and finding the demands of the job taking a toll on your well-being? It's crucial to learn how to deal with stress constructively and prioritize your mental health. Here are some practical tips:   Identify Stressors: Pinpoint the sources of your stress – whether it's tight deadlines, long hours, or demanding clients. Understanding the root causes is the first step to managing stress.   Effective Time Management: Set realistic goals, create schedules, and stay organized. This helps reduce last-minute rushes and alleviates stress.   Work-Life Balance: Maintain a healthy work-life balance by making time for relaxation, hobbies, and quality time with loved ones. Disconnect from work when you're off-duty.   Open Communication: Communicate openly with colleagues and supervisors about your concerns and collaborate on solutions.   Seek Support: Reach out for help if you're struggling with stress or mental health issues. Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) can connect you with counselors, therapists, or support groups.   Mindfulness and Relaxation: Incorporate mindfulness, meditation, and deep breathing exercises to stay calm and focused.   Physical Health: Prioritize regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep to boost your mental health.   Learn to Say No: Don't overcommit yourself. Setting boundaries is crucial for reducing stress.   Problem-Solving Skills: Develop problem-solving skills to tackle issues as they arise.   Safety Protocols: Adhere to safety protocols to reduce stress related to potential accidents or injuries.   Training and Education: Invest in your skills and knowledge to boost your confidence and reduce stress related to job performance.   Stress Management Courses: Take advantage of stress management courses offered by your employer to build resilience and manage stress.   Remember, your well-being matters. In the construction industry, it's vital to maintain a healthy work environment and prioritize your mental health. Don't hesitate to reach out for support when needed and build a strong support network both at work and in your personal life.   Follow me and together let’s find ways to achieve more success. Innovate. Adapt. Overcome. #construction #leadership #success

Before modern technologies existed, Canaries in a coal mine were used to signal danger to miners of a toxic environment. If the canary showed signs of distress, the miners would evacuate immediately and take the precious canary with them grateful for the life saving early warning signs. Today, when employees in your organization are showing signs of distress, how are you responding as leaders? Are you paying attention closely enough to notice? Are you grateful for the early warning signs or are you annoyed by the employee who is stressed? I believe mental wellness signals are a gift to us as leaders. I want to be alert, be listening, and ready to make even small improvements to the system. The benefits from addressing mental health needs are there for all sides: enhanced engagement, more fun, stronger growth, and higher profitability are just a few. When we support mental well being, we strengthen the entire organization. Try the following with 2-3 people today: Ask How are things for you at home? How are things for you here at work? Are there any changes you’d like for me to consider that could help you thrive either at home or at work? Then listen….really listen. Thank them for sharing and let them know you’ll consider any recommendations they have. Go back and consider their input Process with a trusted coach if you feel stuck Change what you can and let the employees know what you changed and what you weren't able to change. What method do you use to stay on top of the mental well being of your team?

Think your company is great? Let me ask you a question: Is your company a "people over profits" or a "profits over everything" company? Given the overwhelming events of the past 5 years, it's evident that employee mental health is having a greater impact on businesses than ever before. Many leaders might hesitate at the thought of focusing on employee mental health, investing more in company culture, or evolving into a "business centered on happy and healthy employees." But if they want their company to survive and thrive in the coming years, it’s an idea they should get behind. I get that this may be a huge pill to swallow for executives who traditionally center their attention on the bottom line, so let me break it down for you. Here are 3 things you can change right now, free of charge: 1. Embrace employee emotions at work and validate them Insisting that emotions be left outside the workplace in order to "complete tasks" is a surefire way to cultivate a culture of emotional restraint rather than one of collaboration, compassion, or empathy. 2. Make it a safe space for employees to talk about their mental health Creating an environment within an organization where everyone feels safe to talk about sensitive and personal details can be a significant challenge, especially for leadership. I learned the hard way how to dodge, duck, dip, dive, dodge leadership in many of my previous jobs in order to hide "how I was feeling." If I would have been able to talk about it and feel heard, I would have saved the company a bunch of sick days (absenteeism), been more productive and present at work (presenteeism), and even been a better (and happier) employee. 2.5. Model behaviors as a leader Can we finally put the stigma to rest and admit that mental health challenges affect us all? Including, but not limited to: C-Levels, Executives, anyone with a pulse can or will experience stress, anxiety, burnout, depression... the list goes on. Creating a positive mental health culture starts with you facing your own mental health challenges and then modeling the behaviors you want to see from your employees. 3. Always ask for help You may need to hire a better mental health provider or find a company culture specialist to come in and revamp some things, but that's a bigger bill that needs serious consideration. What you can do is grant time-off to an employee who is seeking therapy or let them go on company time, helping them find or pay for it, giving mental health days, these are huge ways to help that are a short-term financial investment. We all have business goals to meet, but we can’t meet them if our employees are unhappy, unhealthy, on their way out. #taylorthoughts

Companies are investing in, and talking about — mental health more often these days. But employees aren’t reporting a corresponding rise in well-being. Why? Headspace’s 2024 Workplace State of Mind study found that work stress has negatively impacted physical health for 77% of employees and relationships outside of work for 71%. A March 2022 Gallup analysis found that fewer than one in four employees felt their organization cared about their well-being — nearly half the number who said the same at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. So, what happened? Initiatives seem to fall short. Here's why: ◾️ Generic Solutions Don't Cut It: Work demands differ across departments. A one-size-fits-all approach for well-being won't work. ◾️ Leaders Matter: External consultants can't replace internal champions who understand the specific stressors within their teams. ◾️ Inclusion is Key: We need to address mental health across generations and genders, fostering open dialogue. Building a Mentally Healthy Workplace: A Path Forward ◾️ Tailored Strategies: Consider different work styles and stressors across departments. ◾️ Empowerment Through Leaders: Engage managers and leaders as champions for well-being initiatives. ◾️ Open Communication & Shared Experiences: Normalize mental health conversations and acknowledge diverse perspectives. ◾️ Invest in the Long Game: Mental health is a journey, not a destination. Patience and continuous improvement are key. The constant connectivity and hyper-responsiveness fueled by technology worsen work anxiety. We need strategies that address this reality. Let's Shift the Focus: 👉 Focus on People: Organizations need to be a source of connection and support. People are messy and complex, and our well-being thrives within healthy relationships. 👉 Invest in Human Sustainability: Support frameworks like the Surgeon General's Workplace Mental Health and Wellbeing model offer promising solutions. It's Time to Walk the Talk: Leaders: Prioritize your own mental well-being and share your efforts to inspire others. Employees: Advocate for change, share resources, and hold your company accountable. Together, we can create workplaces that prioritize mental health and empower employees to thrive. #mentalhealth #workplacewellness #wellbeing #leadership #communication #humanresources #burnout #prevention

As a #socialworker and #trustandsafety professional, this month is incredibly important to me. Mental health impacts how we think, feel, and act. Raising awareness helps break down stigmas and fosters a supportive community. Why mental health matters: Mental health affects every facet of our lives. It shapes our interactions, our performance at work, and our ability to handle stress and make decisions. Yet, despite its importance, mental health often remains stigmatized and misunderstood. By raising awareness, we can help break down these barriers and foster a more supportive and understanding community. Just a few tips for supporting mental health in the workplace - 💚 Educate yourself and others: Knowledge is power. Learn about mental health conditions, symptoms, and treatments. Share this information with your network to help reduce stigma and promote understanding. 💚 Practice self-care: Prioritize your mental well-being by incorporating self-care into your routine. Whether it's through mindfulness, exercise, hobbies, or simply taking a break, find what works for you and make it a habit. 💚 Build a support network: Surround yourself with supportive friends, family, and colleagues. Open up about your feelings and encourage others to do the same. A strong support system can make a significant difference in managing mental health challenges. 💚 Promote a healthy work environment: As professionals, we have a responsibility to foster a workplace culture that supports mental health. Encourage open conversations about mental health, provide resources, and advocate for policies that prioritize employee well-being. 💚 Lead by example: As leaders, we need to lead by example. Managers and leaders should model healthy behaviors, such as taking time off, setting boundaries, and managing stress effectively. 💚 Seek professional help when needed (Proud therapy goer here ✋): There’s no shame in seeking help. If you or someone you know is struggling, encourage reaching out to a mental health professional. Early intervention can lead to better outcomes. Drop your tips and tricks in the comments below! #mentalhealthawareness #workplacewellness #mentalhealthmatters #breakthestigma #employeewellness #mentalhealthmonth

Can Great Management Improve Mental Health? Recent findings from Gallup's "State of the Global Workplace: 2024 Report" shed light on a troubling trend: people's mental well-being has worsened. In the past decade, stress, sadness, anxiety, anger, and worry have reached their highest levels since the surveys began. The U.N.'s 2023/2024 Human Development Report echoes this concern. Key Insights: - 41% of employees report experiencing "a lot of stress." - Bad management practices increase stress by 60% among actively disengaged employees compared to those in well-managed environments. Ineffective solutions: Well-being apps and stress management training often fail, especially in workplaces with poor management or negative cultures. What Works? The Oxford study highlights that organization-level initiatives, like improving scheduling, management practices, staff resources, or tailored job design, are far more effective. The Role of Leadership: As this article highlights, leaders play a pivotal role in their employees' well-being, engagement, and performance. Those developing leaders need to frame the competencies and characteristics shown to improve well-being, performance, innovation, inclusion, and engagement. H.R. partners need to use these competencies and characteristics when hiring leaders. - Leaders with high emotional intelligence can better understand and manage their teams' emotions, fostering a supportive environment. - Servant leadership emphasizes the well-being and growth of employees, creating a positive workplace culture that reduces stress and boosts engagement. - Transformational leaders inspire and motivate their team to exceed their own self-interests for the organization's good and reach their fullest potential. This approach brings profound benefits to both employees and organizations. Transforming our management approaches is essential to alleviate unnecessary stress and enhance overall well-being in the workplace. Join the conversation on fostering better management practices and promoting mental health in the workplace. Let's make a difference together! #MentalHealth #WorkplaceWellbeing #Leadership #EmotionalIntelligence #ServantLeadership #Gallup #EmployeeEngagement #ManagementMatters #StateoftheGlobalWorkplace #HR Richard Baron Michelle Taylor Josh Chapman Jay Pulawski Anita Okonak Greg Perkins MHA Sharon Hanscom Steve Richardson

Promoting #mentalhealth awareness and well-being is crucial for building healthier communities and improving the quality of life for everyone. Here are the top five ways to promote mental health on World Mental Health Day: 1. 📗 Education and Awareness Campaigns:    - Implement educational programs in schools, workplaces, and community settings to increase awareness about mental health issues, the importance of mental well-being, and the elimination of stigma associated with mental health disorders.   - Use traditional media channels (TV, radio, newspapers) and social media platforms to disseminate information, share personal stories, and provide resources. Celebrate mental health awareness months or days to focus attention on the subject. 2. 📘 Accessible Mental Health Services:   - Advocate for and contribute to the development of accessible, affordable, and quality mental health services for everyone.    - Promote the availability of community-based mental health support, crisis lines, online counseling services, and mobile health applications for immediate support and guidance. 3. 📙 Supportive Community and Work Environments:   - Encourage community activities that promote socialization and inclusion, reducing isolation and promoting a sense of belonging.   - Create supportive workplace environments that include mental health in employee wellness programs, provide mental health days, and establish policies for work-life balance. 4. 📒 Mental Health First Aid and Training:   - Offer mental health first aid training in schools, workplaces, and for community members to equip individuals with the skills to help others experiencing mental health problems.   - Train teachers, managers, and leaders in recognizing mental health issues and providing initial support or directing individuals to appropriate services. 5. 📕 Policy Advocacy and Collaboration:   - Engage in policy advocacy to push for legislation and policies that prioritize mental health, improve funding for mental health programs, and protect the rights of those with mental health conditions.   - Collaborate with health professionals, educators, community leaders, and organizations to create an integrated approach to mental health promotion, prevention, and treatment. By taking these steps, communities can work towards creating an environment where mental health is recognized as being just as important as physical health, and where everyone has access to the resources they need for mental #wellbeing. Remember, promoting mental #health is a continuous effort that requires the collective action of individuals, communities, and societies.