#HERWellbeing with SoundMinds UK. Helping you maintain your Mental Wellbeing through various roles within the Construction Industry.
The psychological and physical well-being of Construction and Design related employees is critical to their performance, and a worker who is suffering from poor mental well-being is usually ineffective. According to HBF, within the industry 56.7% of employees have experienced mental health issues.. Over 300,000 people now state that they have long term mental health problems and 15% of people in work have symptoms of existing mental health conditions.
Working in a fast-paced, male-dominated environment might result in a lot of pressure and anxiety to meet targets while maintaining the mentality of not seeming or appearing inferior to the typical males that dominate that field. A person’s performance can be judged in a variety of ways, including accomplishing stated goals and targets, and achieving financial gains. Your performance as an employee is judged against these, and how you think about and deal with them influences your emotional well-being.
As a result, it's critical that we put in place measures to improve our mental health, resilience, and ability to cope with adversity. Self-care is essential and should be pursued with intention! This may appear difficult in situations where you are overworked, have flu-like emotional states, or have poor self-esteem. Setting aside days for self-care on a regular basis can help relieve stress, and the difference is evident.
To help improve your Mental wellbeing, try the following tips:
1. Be honest about how you're feeling.
This may appear to be a simple step but being able to express how you are feeling and the pressures of work can help you improve your mental health and manage challenging situations. Many people mistakenly believe that talking about your feelings is a sign of weakness, but it is actually a sign that you are taking charge of your health and doing everything possible to stay healthy!
It's natural that expressing your feelings at work might be challenging, especially if you're a woman who has had to fight her way into a position that is traditionally reserved for men. Try engaging with someone with whom you are at ease and who will be supportive when you are having difficulties. This might be a co-worker or someone from your personal life, such as a family member, close friend, or even a therapist!
2. Deal with stress to reduce it.
‘Deal with it’ may sound harsh but recognising that stressful/difficult situations are unavoidable and may be used to improve your ability is an important aspect of life! Accepting that you might be in that circumstance right now isn't a negative thing; it's how you deal with it that matters. Accepting this is a step toward discovering stress-relieving activities such as journaling, practising breathing, and increasing mental capacity. During those moments, do activities you enjoy, go out with a friend, or partner, and have fun!
3. Ask for help.
Keep in mind that no one is a superwoman. There are moments when we all require assistance, and there is no shame in asking for assistance. Your organisation may have a programme in place to assist employees who are experiencing stress or are concerned about their well-being. These services are usually private and might assist you in achieving your goals. Alternatively, the Construction Industry also has well established and experiences organisations that are set up to help:
The Construction Industry Helpline provide 24/7 confidential support on a variety of issues ranging from emotional, physical and financial. Click for more info.
The Lighthouse Construction Charity provides emotional, physical and financial wellbeing support to construction workers and their families. Click for more Info.
4. Value yourself.
Treat yourself with respect and self-care to avoid excessive self-criticism! Recognize your worth and make an effort to keep yourself happy. Recognize when you need to take a break and be gentle with yourself.
5. Exercise and stay active.
Regular exercise has been shown to boost mental health, as well as your capacity to focus and rest. This is much more than just participating in a sport. Going on walks can be highly beneficial to your mental health since it allows you to better explore your ideas and feelings! During your walk, jot down your ideas and feelings and discuss them with a trusted friend. It can be beneficial to have someone else read and comprehend your views so that you can rationalise with them.
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