Mental Health: How Important Is Everyday Working Life?

Karin Lügstenmann Mental health is influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. One particularly important social factor is daily working life. Work can help bring meaning to our lives and be a source of self-confidence and satisfaction along with providing structure in our daily lives. 

Depending on the course of their condition, someone with a mental illness can certainly continue working, which – as mentioned – can also help them better manage their daily life. Taking an open approach to mental illness in the workplace leads to destigmatizing the issue and fosters communication between employees and line managers.

People within the social sphere of those affected are often unsure about what they should say, whether they should say anything at all, and whether the person even wants to talk about their problems, fears, or worries. Above all, I would like to heighten awareness among line managers that it often comes down to being attentive, knowing and recognizing common signs, and maintaining good relationships with their employees. That makes it easier for employees to initiate conversation. 

We support the mental health of our employees through training sessions, events, and a variety of awareness campaigns such as Mental Health Week, which we will be happening in November for the second year running. SIX also offers confidential and free consulting through an external specialist and personnel advisory service for employees, supervisors, and HR managers to help them manage difficult personal and professional situations. Individual development programs, flexible annual working hours, remote working, and a team environment supported by a strong corporate culture ensure great work-life balance.

I’m trying not to tense up too much aiming for a perfect ride on the mechanical bull. Primarily, I want to have fun. I find this levity and fun in the work environment is so important, and often missing. It does one good to have a laugh with colleagues every once in a while. Laughing promotes mental health. 

As a child, I wanted to either be a florist or the manager of an oceanside well-being hotel under the palm trees. It worked out with the hotel business! I look back on 10 successful working years, working at reception both here and abroad. Now, at almost 40, I have the feeling that I can fully live out my passion for well-being.

I can count myself lucky that I’ve had some incredibly wonderful, inspiring, and encouraging line managers who believed in me and were interested in seeing me develop. That’s an important management task, and makes a big difference.  

The misconception that therapies that support mental health are just for people with serious health issues: They can have a preventative effect, helping you get to know yourself better and allowing you to better recognize your own needs.

Or the belief that meditation means sitting motionless and cross-legged for an hour without thinking about anything – meditation is much more than that. It can also mean painting a picture while meditating, quietly ironing my clothes or focusing on a puzzle.

Or the notion that self-care is narcissistic. Only if we look after ourselves can we also take care of others. 

I love the Calm app, and use it almost every day to sleep, for guided meditation, and to relax. It contains an extensive library of guided meditations, sleep stories, breathing exercises, exclusive music, and stretching exercises.

Over the last few years, I’ve found a morning and evening routine that suits me, and that I no longer want to do without. Moreover, I’m curious by nature and always enjoy trying out new things, be it shiatsu, acupuncture, ayurveda, and much more.