The Steadman Group, LLC, is a woman-owned health and social services consultancy tenaciously improving people’s health and well-being. We focus on supporting behavioral health work in Colorado and beyond, and we champion organizations serving at-risk populations. We channel our mission, resources, and expertise to pave pathways for an equitable, healthier future.
Photo by Sasha Veytsman
As we enter May, a month dedicated to Mental Health Awareness, we are reminded of the crucial role of fostering workplace wellness.
At the Steadman Group, we take pride in being a Recovery-Friendly Workplace. We actively work to enhance our organizational effectiveness and support all employees, particularly those in recovery from addiction. Recognizing the impact of workplace stress and burnout, we are committed to creating a culture of well-being.
Workplace stress is at an all-time high and can be challenging to beat. Burnout is a gradual process that can quietly gain ground, zapping your energy. You don’t feel quite like yourself, but you’re not in a crisis either. It can take a long time of being emotionally drained and mentally exhausted before you realize what you’re experiencing is not typical. There’s no need to settle for the hopeless feelings of burnout.
Common burnout symptoms
Chronic fatigue
Disengagement
Low motivation
Poor performance
Every day seems like a bad day
Tasks you spend your day on seem either dull or overwhelming
It seems nothing you do is valued
Recognizing the symptoms of burnout can be challenging, and we often need encouragement to seek help. As employers, managers, and co-workers, we are uniquely positioned to identify these signs and offer support and resources. Given that most people spend the majority of their waking hours at work, our collective efforts can make a significant difference in battling burnout.
Individual Tips for Enhancing Mental Health
Make quality a priority in your life
Quality food, rest, and time to connect with friends, family, and ourselves—each of these feeds, repairs, and restores the body, mind, and spirit.
But remember: quality is different than quantity. We don’t need much to feel satisfied when something is high quality. One strategy for increasing quality is decreasing distractions when spending intentional time with a friend. Try putting away your phone and disconnecting alerts to your watch. This allows us to more meaningfully connect with the person we’re talking with, rather than having our attention diverted with texts or emails from work or family.
Challenge negative self-talk, fears, and feelings of inadequacy
Sometimes, the narrative we tell ourselves about ourselves isn’t accurate. Is it true that you’re “always a failure” or “nothing ever goes your way?” These thoughts can be especially prevalent when we’re stressed or moving towards burnout. By noticing our thoughts and challenging our assumptions, we can better understand ourselves, others, and the world around us and decrease the intensity of our emotions.
For example, perhaps the past few days were exceptionally challenging, and mistakes were made, but you can also actively remember when you experienced success. This shifts our perspective from “nothing ever goes my way” to “I’m having a tough go right now, and I’ve had recent successes, too. This is hard, and I’ve gotten through hard things.”
Be as nice to yourself as you are to others
We’re often our harshest critics and most relentless worst enemies. When you’re paying attention to your thoughts, imagine talking with yourself the way you do with a close friend or loved one.
How would it feel to say those things to them? Now, imagine how you would shift the language to be less hurtful and more constructive. Can you also switch that language for yourself? Offering ourselves grace still allows us to hold ourselves and others accountable. It also allows us to deliver that feedback in ways that don’t cause emotional pain.
Start saying no when you’re running on empty or don’t have time
Saying no to others doesn’t mean “no, never!” It might be “not right now.” Allowing ourselves to say “no” or “not right now” reminds us that alternative resources can be used to meet needs. It also allows others to adjust their expectations over time and practice creative problem-solving.
Often, when we’re in a leadership position, one of our strengths is offering help. It doesn’t feel good when we have to say no. Practicing saying “no” helps us tolerate the discomfort of a perceived disappointment. Saying no to requests when you don’t have the time or ability to help decreases feelings of burnout and resentment and can help set both parties up for a “yes” when you’re able to deliver.
Stay connected to yourself and bring yourself joy
Practice this skill by creating a list of events that evoke positive emotions such as joy, contentment, happiness, and relaxation. This list of ideas is intended to help you identify enjoyable activities that can be planned in advance. Things like reading, cooking, going on a walk, watching a football game, or catching up on your favorite show can go a long way.
Work these activities into your schedule just as you would a work meeting. And it doesn’t have to be for long—think quality vs. quantity. Even a 10-15-minute break to engage in something you enjoy can improve your mood and increase your autonomy over your day.
Create a culture of well-being
Managing mental health and burnout is an individual responsibility, but it's important to recognize that many of us spend a significant portion of our waking hours at work. As leaders, investing in a culture of well-being is not just a personal commitment but also a strategic one. It supports our teams, ourselves, and our organizational success.
According to the World Economic Forum, organizations that promote health and well-being are two and a half times more likely to be top performers and four times less likely to lose talent within the next year.
Practical ways you can create a culture of workplace well-being
Quarterly Checks – Train managers to check in with staff to gauge stress levels and query how they cope in and out of the office. Take note if employees seem apathetic and uninspired. Ask how your employees like to receive support and how they like to be recognized to know they are valued. When people feel valued, they are more likely to engage or reengage in their work naturally. Be prepared to offer mental health resources and connections to information about company benefits to help your team navigate the complicated process of being connected to care.
Adopt a Growth Mindset & Build Trust – Science shows that finding purpose and “getting in the flow” with work boosts well-being. When direct reports trust their leader, they also assume that the manager cares about them and is concerned about their well-being. Learn what your employees like best about their jobs—and where they could use support or training. In addition, get to know who your employees are outside of work. Dr. Kristie Rogers, a professor at Marquette University whose research focuses on respect and identity at work, writes, “Approaching conversations with your employees in humanizing ways that show care for the whole person rather than a ’hustler’ or a ‘quiet quitter’ signals respect in a more holistic way.” People want to succeed and typically thrive when given the opportunity and support.
Promote Employee Connection, Respect & Inclusivity – A supportive and inclusive work environment that fosters communication and a sense of belonging offers strong protective factors against burnout. Encourage team building and invest in regular events and opportunities to connect, such as breakfast breaks, group outings, or group volunteer projects that give back to the community.
Encourage Healthy Life Choices – Hold “walking meetings” or participate in Bike to Work Day events. Consider a company-wide Mental Health First Aid class, where employees learn tools to keep someone safe during a panic attack, suicidal ideation, or other crisis. Those who take the course learn a five-step action plan encompassing the skills, resources, and knowledge to help an individual—perhaps even a co-worker—in crisis.
Final Takeaways for Mental Health Awareness Month
Help beat burnout by increasing individual skills and enhancing your workplace culture. A healthy workforce can deliver a big return to your business. Set actionable goals, train managers, and shift the work mindset to promote well-being and better guard against burnout. Most of all, watch for potentially serious issues impacting staff and act quickly to show care, compassion, and a willingness to support and help connect a person to care. If you or a person on your team needs support, contact the national crisis hotline 988, which offers immediate support 24/7 and can help connect you to resources in your community.
