Blog > Creating a Healthy Workplace for All, Written by a Millenial With ADHD

Creating a Healthy Workplace for All, Written by a Millenial With ADHD

May 12, 2023 /

The Bublup Team

Employees are 50% more likely to quit their jobs within the next year… due to high stress in the workplace. Moreover, workplace stress has been linked to a 40% increase in the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (American Institute of Stress, National Institute of Health)… not cute. If you’re under stress, you’re more likely to be in a bad mood; if you’re constantly under stress, you’re pretty much always in a bad mood; while stress and disease go hand-in-hand , there’s also a direct link to negative emotions and poor cognition. Long story short, negative emotions will hinder executive functions, leading to poor decision-making skills, and diminish productivity. It ain’t cute for the employees, and it ain’t cute for the employers.

For the employee, we’re looking at burnout and potentially major health issues; which can cause, for the employer, a domino effect that could impact the company and the rest of the team. It’s not a good look for everyone, so how can we prevent burnout and, better yet, create a space that promotes mental health wellness for everyone in the workplace?

As a millennial with ADHD, who works at a tech company by day and leads yoga, meditation, and wellness classes by night, I understand firsthand the importance of recognizing and addressing workplace stress. Unfortunately, workplace stress is all too common, and it can have serious consequences for employees and employers. So, in this blog, we’ll dive deeper and get to the bottom of mental health at work and how both employers and employees can cultivate a work culture that prioritizes wellness to not only prevent burnout, but also maximize productivity, so that… everyone wins!

The negatives & the positives.

According to the American Institute of Stress, workplace stress costs US employers an estimated $300 billion annually in decreased productivity, absenteeism, and turnover. Workplace stress also has adverse effects on employees’ mental and physical health, leading to issues such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, poor dietary patterns, and even sudden death. Furthermore, employees who experience high levels of stress are more likely to experience burnout, which is characterized by emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and a reduced sense of accomplishment.

Chronic stress has a significant impact on our cognitive abilities, particularly our memory and attention span. High levels of cortisol (the stress response hormone)have been found to not only induce inflammation in the body (more vulnerable to viruses) but also shrink the hippocampus– this part of the brain is essential to memory, learning, and decision-making. In addition, chronic stress has been linked to decreased connectivity between brain regions involved in executive functions, such as decision-making and planning. These cognitive impairments can have a significant impact on our productivity at work. For example, difficulties with memory can make it challenging to remember important tasks or information, leading to mistakes and/or missed deadlines, and poor decision-making can also lead to ineffective problem-solving and decreased productivity.

On the other hand, positive emotions, such as joy and enthusiasm, have been shown to have the opposite effect on cognitive function. When we experience positive emotions, our brain releases dopamine, the neurotransmitter that “rewards” you in learning and task completion. In addition, positive emotions have been linked to increased connectivity between brain regions involved in executive function, leading to better decision-making and planning abilities. While we can’t predict what goes on outside of work, there are limitless things that can be done to promote positive emotions and prevent chronic stress and pressure at the workplace.

So how can we address and prevent burnout in the workplace? First and foremost, it’s important for employers to recognize the signs of burnout and take steps to create a healthy work environment. This can include providing resources for mental health support, encouraging breaks and time off, and promoting work-life balance. The fact of the matter is there are endless ways that employers can better support employee’s mental health, some of which include:

Provide resources for mental health support. During the peak of the pandemic, employee assistance programs (EAP) were skyrocketing everywhere, mental health became a huge priority after the entire world had to isolate and quarantine either alone or with family/roommates. Employers began offering resources like counseling services, mental health screenings, and resources for seeking mental health care outside the workplace.

Employers also started to provide access to mental health apps or online tools that help employees manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health concerns–for instance, our company’s health plan had a deal with Cigna, which had a direct program with Talkspace, making therapy pretty much free.

Encourage breaks and time off. I will never forget the moment my team leader explicitly told me to take a leave for vacation because I hadn’t used any PTO the entire year. At that moment, I was thoroughly impressed at not only the fact that I hadn’t used any PTO but also that my leader was putting in the effort to make sure I took rest and rejuvenation for my own well-being!

So, DO encourage your employees to take breaks during the workday, such as lunch breaks or short breaks to stretch or meditate. Offer flexible schedules or work-from-home options to help employees manage their workload and reduce stress. Additionally, employers can provide paid time off (PTO) or mental health days so employees can take time off to focus on their mental health.

Promote work-life balance by drawing clear boundaries on work hours. I used to stay up until midnight editing videos and getting work done, I was doing this for a good several months until my leader found out. She was baffled and pleaded I do not do that, helping me draw clear boundaries on my work hours, and making sure I took care of my personal life. Moreover, our team would have fun presentations, game hours, and happy hour Fridays for team building activities; these were the times I got to know my coworkers and developed some sort of relationship outside of work.

Setting clear expectations around working hours and overtime and encouraging employees to prioritize self-care and their personal lives outside of work is one way to promote work-life balance. Employers can also provide resources for stress management, such as mindfulness training or yoga classes, and host social events or team-building activities that allow employees to bond outside of work.

Address toxic workplace culture by providing anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies. The world is moving at a fast pace, and the meaning of inclusivity is shifting more than ever. The upcoming generation, Gen Z, is the most diverse generation in race and gender identities.

With that said, implementing policies and procedures that promote a positive and inclusive work environment can address and prevent toxic workplace culture. This can include anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies, diversity and inclusion training, and opportunities for employees to provide feedback and suggestions for improving the workplace culture.

Provide training for managers on how to identify and address mental health concerns in the workplace, such as stress, burnout, and anxiety. Managers can learn how to recognize the signs of mental health concerns, how to support employees who are struggling, and make accommodations for employees who need them.

Team leaders can foster open communication by creating a culture of trust and respect where employees feel comfortable speaking up about their mental health concerns. Encouraging that vulnerability is a strength can help employees share their experiences. This will allow leaders to gain a deeper perspective to offer support and/or resources for those who need it. Additionally, anonymous feedback channels, such as suggestion boxes or online surveys, can help employees to provide feedback without fear of retribution.

Preventative measures individuals can take for themselves

As individuals, there are steps we can take to prevent burnout and promote mental wellness. While we cannot control what goes on outside of work, we can take control of what’s manageable. Needless to say, here is a list of things BOTH parties can do to ensure a healthy work culture that prioritizes mental healthy:

Practice self-care:

Make space and time for exercise, go on a walk, take an hour for yoga or gym.
Incorporate mindfulness practices, such as meditation or mindful breathing, into your daily routine
Get good sleep! Emotions are highly impacted by the amount of sleep you’ve gotten
Spend quality time with loved ones and engage in activities that bring you joy

How employers can encourage self-care

Offer wellness programs or resources, such as gym memberships or mental health days
Encourage employees to take breaks throughout the day and provide a comfortable space to do so
Consider offering flexible work schedules or remote work options to promote work-life balance

Plug in with people and community:

Did you know that loneliness can kill as much as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day?! Make an effort to connect with friends and family regularly
Seek out communities or groups, whether online or in-person
Consider therapy or counseling as a way to build a professional support system

How employers can cultivate community:

Foster a culture of open communication and encourage employees to reach out for support when needed
Offer employee assistance programs (EAPs) that provide resources and counseling services
Consider implementing peer support programs, such as mentorship or buddy systems

Set realistic goals:

Use the SMART goal setting system

Break larger goals into smaller, achievable steps
Prioritize and focus on what’s most important
Celebrate progress and milestones along the way

How employers can support in goal setting

Provide clear expectations and feedback on performance
Offer resources and training to help employees develop skills and achieve their goals
Encourage goal-setting and provide opportunities for employees to take on new challenges

Limit social media and news consumption:

Set boundaries and time limits on social media and news consumption… If you have to, learn what’s going on with the world via memes!
Unplug and disconnect from your screens when possible. If that means muting Slack, and Gmail from 5pm and on the weekends, do so!
Engage in other activities, such as hobbies or exercise, that bring you joy and fulfillment

How employers can mitigate healthy use of technology & media

Consider implementing policies or guidelines around technology use during work hours
Encourage employees to take breaks and disconnect from work when possible
Schedule slack messages and emails so that they arrive only during work hours
Provide resources or opportunities for stress-management and self-care, such as workshops or support groups

Seek professional help:

Don’t let the stigma get in the way of your health, it takes strength to be vulnerable, so seek out help when you can’t catch that breath of air
Research and find a therapist or mental health professional that’s a good fit for you– there are so many out there, consider your background and culture, find a therapist that may come from the same background so there is more of a mutual understanding.

How employers can hold space for mental health care

Foster a culture of destigmatizing mental health and encourage employees to seek help without fear of judgment
Offer comprehensive health benefits that cover mental health services and treatment
Provide resources and support for employees in crisis, such as hotlines or emergency mental health services

Overall, supporting employees’ mental health is not only important for the well-being of employees, but it also impacts the business, team, and entire work environment. Maintaining mental health is an ongoing process. It’s important to prioritize your mental health and take steps to care for yourself every day. Moreover, employers can maximize productivity in the workplace by implementing practices that support mental health in its entirety. The more you put into your employees, the more you gain back. Productivity and mental health wellness go hand-in-hand; as much as employee & employer relationships are bidirectional, it goes the same way with productivity and stress management. At the end of the day, the only thing that matters most is human connection and people.

Employers, it is up to you to foster a healthy relationship with your employees andto impact a positive change in mental health in a workplace culture, which at the end of the day, will maximize productivity and success in your own business. Remember that workplace stress and burnout are not signs of weakness, and seeking help is a sign of strength. By taking steps to address and prevent burnout, we can improve our mental health and productivity and create a more supportive and positive work environment for everyone.

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