Jeri Hawthorne, Chief Human Resources Officer, Aflac Incorporated
Originally published on Aflac Newsroom
NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS / ACCESSWIRE / May 30, 2024 / Earlier in my career, I led the Global HR department and flew all over the world to help open facilities in different countries. It was a very demanding job that involved almost 3 hours of commuting a day when I wasn’t on a plane, but it was a job I was proud of and enjoyed.
The company offered the opportunity to participate in a leadership training program that emphasized the importance of work-life balance: work, family, community activities, and self-care. Each participant pulled a button with four holes, one for each of the four categories. The size of the hole was supposed to represent the amount of time and energy they devoted to that category.
My button only had three holes: an oversized hole for work, two very small holes representing family life and self-care, and absolutely no community. At the time, I loved my job, but through this exercise I realized I had been focusing too much on that one aspect of my life at the expense of quality time in other, more important areas.
I’ve carried this analogy with me throughout my career and use it regularly to help me integrate each of these aspects more intentionally, especially now that the topic of burnout is getting more attention than ever before.
In fact, a recent Aflac Workforce Report confirmed what I knew to be true from my experience then and what many Americans are experiencing now: According to the report, 74% of American workers are stressed, and 57% are currently experiencing at least moderate burnout.
Now that I’m in a position to affect change and ensure the wellbeing of people in the workplace, here are some pieces of advice that have helped me along the way in building mental health in the workplace:
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Draw your own buttons. The only way to know what to do is to assess where you are right now. Draw a button with four holes that represent work, home life, community activities, and self-care, then make each hole bigger or smaller based on how much time you spend in each category. Use it to figure out where you need to adjust how you spend your time and energy. Understand that your priorities will likely change depending on your life circumstances, so use this analogy over time as you think about your priorities.
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Know your benefits. Trying to understand your benefits during difficult times can be even more stressful. If you have access to benefits, take the time to learn about them so you can take advantage of available services, apps, and classes dedicated to improving your mental health. Some employers also offer programs that address other aspects that may impact your mental health, such as financial, social, and physical health.
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Find the line. There’s a fine line between beneficial stress that leads to growth and stress that leads to burnout. I’ve learned that mental health is similar to physical health in many ways. Just as strength training helps build muscle, mentally challenging work helps build resilience. But in the same way, training too hard or too often puts you at risk for injury. Similarly, feeling overwhelmed with daily responsibilities and not taking time to rest puts you at risk for burnout. Where the line is between the two is different for everyone, but it’s important to find what works for you.
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Use the PTO. If you’re employed, you may have access to paid time off (PTO). Take advantage of it! Whether that means going on a week-long trip or just chilling at home for a day, use the time to reset and recharge. (If you manage employees, encourage them to use their PTO, especially if it’s in danger of expiring. Having that level of support from management goes a long way in building trust.)
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Get a health check. Whether you’re in good health or not, it’s always important to get regular health checks. They can help you maintain good health and also provide an opportunity to have an open discussion with a health professional about building your mental wellbeing.
Work is an important part of who we are – after all, we spend at least a third of our workdays at work. But it’s important to remember that work is only one part of who we are, and only one part of what impacts our mental health. Set aside time regularly to review where your time and energy is being spent, so you can be your best self in all areas of your life.
Aflac includes the American Family Life Insurance Company of Columbus and the American Family Life Insurance Company of New York.
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