Mental health is the cornerstone of overall well-being, influencing every aspect of our lives. From the way we form connections, how we structure our productivity, to even our physical health and quality of life. It encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, influencing how we think, feel, and act in everyday situations. This is why it’s so important get it right in the workplace. But how do you apply similar practices to remote teams?
Prioritising mental health is essential for thriving both personally and professionally. It empowers individuals to navigate challenges with resilience, cope effectively with stress, and maintain fulfilling relationships. Furthermore, investing in mental health benefits not only individuals but also communities and organizations, fostering healthier, more supportive environments where everyone can flourish. In an era marked by increasing awareness and destigmatisation of mental health issues, it is crucial to promoting holistic wellness and building a more compassionate culture for all.
Supporting your remote teams requires proactive measures to foster a sense of connection, well-being, and work-life balance.
How you can support mental health in your remote teams:
- Regular Check-ins: Schedule regular one-on-one and team check-ins to discuss work progress, but also to check on everyone’s well-being. Encourage open communication about any challenges or concerns team members may be facing.
- Encourage Boundaries: The reason that people apply to remote positions is to decide when they are available to people. Honour this and remind team members to establish boundaries between work and personal life. Encourage them to set designated work hours and to create a separate workspace if possible.
- Flexibility: Offer flexibility in work hours and deadlines where feasible. This helps accommodate different working styles and personal situations, reducing stress and promoting work-life balance.
- Provide Resources: Share resources on mental health, stress management, and coping strategies. This could include articles, webinars, or access to mental health professionals through employee assistance programs.
- Professional Development: Provide health & wellbeing awareness development to increase awareness. Wellbeing training is a preventative and actionable method which allows individuals to support and spot behaviours which might be indicative of someone struggling.
- Regular Feedback: Provide regular, constructive feedback to help team members grow and improve. Grow a cultural attitude that is open to suggestions and encourage team members to share ideas on improving workflows and processes.
- Tech Support: Ensure that team members have access to the necessary technology and support.
- Acknowledge Achievements: Celebrate individual and team achievements regularly to boost morale and motivation. Recognize and appreciate the efforts of team members, especially during challenging times.
- Autonomy: Trust your team to manage their workload and give them autonomy to make decisions. Set clear times where you are available to each other and consider a buzzword for whenever a remote member wants to go uncontactable for a period of time.
- Finally, Lead by Example: As a leader, prioritise your own mental health and openly discuss it with your team. Normalise conversations around mental health and demonstrate that it’s okay to seek support when needed.
Some Example Tools and Platforms to Boost Productivity:
- Communication: Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Teams
- Project Management: Asana, Trello, Monday.com
- Collaboration: Google Workspace, Microsoft 365
- Time Management: Toggl, Clockify
By implementing these strategies, you can create a supportive remote work environment where team members feel valued, connected, and able to prioritise their well being.
