Even those who do their dream job often struggle with their mental well-being. A professional environment can be stressful, especially when real-world challenges affect your office life. Understanding what’s most impactful in the workplace can help you identify the stressors that matter most and find solutions that will benefit everyone in your team.
1. Increased healthcare costs
Access to healthcare services is an important stressor. According to a Peterson Center survey on healthcare and KFF, the average person spent $14,570 on healthcare in 2023, reflecting decades of rising costs. If you are struggling with your mental well-being and can’t speak to a doctor or therapist because it’s too expensive, your workplace challenges will only become more intimidating. When you feel trapped in a cycle of stress and anxiety, no one can thrive.
2. Global political turmoil
Many people avoid talking about politics in their offices. Habits create a more welcoming and professional environment, but it is difficult to maintain the peace of mind of disconnection when global news alerts constantly appear on your mobile phone. When the world feels like it’s over, you may struggle with your mental health more. When global conflicts dominate the news, you don’t need a role in international organizations to feel your professional performance struggle.
3. Relocation of stressors
Moves for professional opportunities can be exciting and stressful. People can build social support networks to make it easier and feel isolated in their new homelands, but prolonged stressors can change how they feel in their new job. The impact of mental health can also be exacerbated if you are worried about making a wrong decision in the turbulent job market. The stress of your personal life can quickly permeate your professional life, especially after major changes such as movement.
4. The boundary of work life
Remote work is still a common type of employment, but that doesn’t mean it’s a stress-free gig. If you don’t know how to set boundaries for a solid work-life, you may feel even stronger. And people have a hard time maintaining these boundaries when working with management teams who send texts and emails after working hours. No one wants to anger your boss by ignoring their communication, but setting healthy restrictions can make it seem impossible in a toxic work environment.
5. Expectations for future finances
If you are struggling to imagine the future about your current income, you are not alone. The Pew Research Center has found that 28% of American adults expect their financial situation to deteriorate next year, starting from 16% in 2024. If you spend your time and still struggle to buy essentials, you may find it pointless to go to work. Adding the expectations that your personal finances will worsen over the next 12 months will make your mental well-being much more difficult to manage.
6. Possibility of layoffs
Trending economic changes often lead to layoffs. People may feel more uneasy about their job if they are trying to prove that they are worth protecting their role. You’re always worried about losing your job, so pushing your productivity level to the maximum will make anyone’s mental health worse. Immense pressure and minimal rest are quickly sacrificed.
7. Potential increase discrimination
America’s biggest companies are rolling back anti-discrimination policies that find and eliminate systemic bias. The lack of support for a diverse workforce can be discouraged in itself. If you’re one of many people trying to climb the ladder of your career for your demographics and face inherent bias, your disappointment may intensify. It is more difficult to regulate mental health when you feel like you are fighting twice as difficult battles as industry trends oppose fairness.
8. Using screen time
Many people try to offset stress by spending time on social media. You may feel better after watching videos of cute animals, but your social media feed also includes news alerts, posts and videos that will be added to mental health complications such as depression and anxiety. Scrolling through social media for breaks can make happiness difficult if it’s a daily free habit while you’re at work.
Solutions to improve your professional environment
Issues that affect mental health in modern workplaces don’t have to affect you forever. Even when the world feels upside down, we work towards solutions that create lasting change to improve conditions.
Visit the therapist
Talking to a therapist is a great first step. They help you identify your emotional triggers and everyday emotions that make your work even more difficult. When you work with experts on current mental health challenges, you can create new tools to support your well-being.
Costs are still a factor that prevents people from accessing treatment, but if they don’t have health insurance to cover appointment fees, there are ways to manage that obstacle. Find a local therapist who offers slide scale appointments based on income. Many online therapy companies also offer limited sessions during the free trial. This will allow you to get up without affecting your budget.
Talk to your team
If your professional environment has a negative impact on your mental well-being, you may not be alone. Talk to your team to see if anyone else is struggling with the same thing. Organize your group lunch or send an email to everyone. Experts estimate that one in four Americans are dissatisfied with workplace culture. Once you find stressors that affect your entire team, you can work together to fix the issue.
Your struggle partnership can make you feel good before you begin implementing a problem-solving strategy. Everything becomes easier to manage when you’re not alone anymore.
Set goals for the supervisor
If you raise mental health concerns with the support of your colleagues, your management team will likely be on board. Get specific about what’s affecting you so that your supervisor can set long-term goals. You will develop a practical plan to enact widespread change within your company. Making a slight difference in your work life can lead to great mitigation.
Protect your mental health at work
It takes time and reflection to identify the most important issues with mental health in the workplace. Think about what most affects you every day. Once you start talking with your colleagues and planning with your manager, you will make improvements that support everyone’s well-being.
Want to unleash greater health?
Listen to our friends on the Wellness + Wisdom Podcast and unlock your best self with Dr. John Lieance. Founder of Mitozen. The creators of Zen Spray and Lumetol Blue™ bars feature methylene blue.
