Today it is hard to imagine a time when covid wasn’t present. Although the initial flurry of lockdowns, confinements, and home working has eased, covid remains present. It appears to be something that everyone will need to learn to live with Workplace Mental Health.
Of course, that’s not always easy. The pandemic has resulted in hundreds of businesses closing up for good. That means thousands of people have suffered economic hardship alongside the stress of dealing with the disease.
To make matters worse, normal social interactions, which help people through tough times, have not been possible. It is inevitable that this will affect mental health. All research suggests that the mental health of the population, in general, has reduced since the start of the pandemic.
The Effect On Workplaces and Workplace Mental Health
In the past workplaces were generally relaxed, attempting to balance fun with productivity. The result was many people enjoyed their jobs and the subsequent social interactions.
The pandemic changed this overnight. Suddenly, it was no longer possible to get near other employees. Mask wearing, isolation periods, and even working from home have made many employees fearful of their colleagues.
It affects everyone as no one can be certain how their body will react to a covid infection. The result is workplaces that are dysfunctional as people are wary of being too close to each other.
Alongside the obvious issue of productivity, this can lead to tension and some employers are eliminating staff. This could be in a bid to deal with the issue or simply to cut costs over the pandemic. That doesn’t make this type of dismissal fair, if you’ve been dismissed due to the pandemic it’s worth speaking to an unfair dismissal employment lawyer.
Increased Stress
The prevalence of covid has meant people are more stressed. This is a combination of fear of the disease, financial worries, and even an inability to see a positive future. These emotions weigh on people and can often lead to mental health issues.
That’s alongside the fact that stress is bad for your long-term health. It’s essential that you recognize the signs of stress and, if you’re displaying them, take a step back while learning to reduce your stress levels:
- Irritable or angry more often than usual
- Periods of extreme anxiety
- Lack of motivation
- Tiredness
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Poor sleep quality
- Inability to focus or concentrate on anything
You should be aware that the above signs of stress are likely to be more prevalent if you’re feeling more stressed thanks to the pandemic.
This is particularly relevant if you feel your job is at risk or your health, that your workload is too different, you feel like you’re not doing enough, or you are simply uncertain bout your future role.
The Bottom Line
There is no doubt that many people have suffered mentally thanks to the global pandemic. The uncertainties that the pandemic has raised have made many people re-evaluate what is important.
While feelings of helplessness will increase your mental health issues, trying to stay positive and re-focusing your time and efforts will help you to find a new path and feel good about life. That will help your mental health.
vinay 
barua