The Benefits of Resilience for Post-Pandemic Well-Being
Mental health challenges affect nearly all of us regularly. Stress can at times overwhelm us and impact our ability to cope with the demands placed on us. Everyone responds to stress, problem-solving, and adversity differently. It's important to recognise that everyone's ability to bounce back from tough situations varies. Each person's resilience is unique and should be respected.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) acknowledges that good health is not just the absence of illness, but also involves physical, mental, and social well-being.
Post-pandemic, we are struggling with stress, burnout, and loneliness. A recent study by Mental Health Ireland found that 90% of employer respondents have seen increased mental health challenges in the workplace.
Unhealthy work practices such as working after hours, not taking breaks, ‘presenteeism’ (working while ill), and ‘leavism’ (using vacation time to work or recover from illness) can negatively affect mental health. According to the CIPD 2022 Health and Wellbeing at Work Survey Report, 81% of organisations have observed presenteeism among remote workers, while 65% have seen it in physical workplaces. Additionally, 67% have reported employees using vacation time for recovery or work.
In my previous blog Mental Health and Workplace Wellness, we also learned that management style is the second leading cause of work-related stress. This indicates that how managers perform their duties directly affects our mental health.
Building Resilience:
Resilience is crucial for minimising burnout, work-related stress and helping us respond to personal and professional stressors. Building resilience can lead to personal growth and development and takes courage to reflect on and develop adaptive coping strategies. While building resilience is a personal journey, there are steps you can take to nurture and support your overall well-being
Physical Wellbeing - Taking care of your physical health can greatly impact your mental health. To achieve this, it's important to monitor and be aware of your stress levels, diet, physical activity, and alcohol consumption. Incorporating physical activity into your daily routine by taking breaks, spending time in nature, and maintaining a balanced diet can enhance your physical well-being.
Emotional Well-being - Understanding our emotions and practicing self-care is crucial for handling daily tasks and stress. Building resilience allows us to respond, not react. Connecting with loved ones, clarifying your job's responsibilities (get clear on your 80/20), asking for help, prioritising self-care (meditating, yoga, whatever makes you feel good), nurturing plants and pets, setting boundaries (technology and internet access can mean work is constant or exposure to an influx of harmful social content), getting rest, and unwinding after work all contribute to our emotional well-being.
Social Well-being - is about developing connections that support you. Having a community of friends and relationships, both personally and professionally, is essential for feeling valued and a sense of belonging. You can enhance your social well-being by joining organisations or clubs, taking up a hobby, learning new skills, or volunteering.
Intellectual Well-being - is feeling professionally fulfilled while maintaining balance in our personal lives. To improve your intellectual well-being, it is beneficial to prioritise and organise your time while taking advantage of training, development opportunities, and events to expand your knowledge and skills.
What I recommend to clients and managers I also recommend to you; be patient, listen, and respect yourself. Ask yourself if you’re ok and follow that up with how you might help yourself. Maybe it's hugging or walking your dog, perhaps it’s a dip in the sea, cooking or singing your favorite song, or maybe it's speaking to a close friend or confidant. It's important to be kind to yourself and understand that you are unique. Even if someone else is going through similar symptoms, your experience may be different. By learning more about yourself, your triggers, and the activities that help you build resilience, you can develop better habits to help you succeed.
“Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”
― Nelson Mandela
