IIBA UK Scotland Branch event Gavin Ross Gavin
IIBA UK Scotland Branch event Gavin Ross Gavin. Ross@iibauk. org IIBA Communities Director North and Scotland @UKIIBA #UKIIBA UK Scotland branch committee: Chairperson: Julia Newell, Deputy Chair: David Strachan Secretary: Ailsa Powrie Alexa Allerton, Mark Bennett, Lynn Campbell, Linda Parker, Leke Sida, Marie Ann Walker
IIBA UK Scotland Branch event HOME WORKING AND MENTAL HEALTH Remaining productive through 2020’s challenges
HOME WORKING – AN INTRODUCTION • Home working is becoming more popular • COVID-19 is resulting in more people working from home • Home working takes some time to adjust • How can you look after your mental health when home working?
HOME WORKING – THE POSITIVES • Home working can reduce mental health issues related to work – stress, anxiety and depression • Removes stressful day-to-day activities like a daily commute • Gives people more time to focus on physical wellbeing.
HOME WORKING – THE POSITIVES • It can have a positive impact on a work life balance • It can help those with physical or mental health issues by avoiding hard commutes or other difficulties • It can give more time to carers • Allows those with mental health issues to avoid the intrusive nature of the office environment • Allows those with families to spend more time with them.
HOME WORKING – THE NEGATIVES • You may feel more isolated • Remember that humans are social animals • Being lonely can have a knock-on effect on mental health • Remember to keep up communication.
HOME WORKING – THE NEGATIVES • You may be less active • This could be losing light exercise as part of a commute or not going to the gym as much • Remember our physical and mental health are linked.
SUPPORTING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH – MAINTAINING STRUCTURE • Make sure you have a structure in place for your day • Remember that you are losing the basic work structure when home working – a journey in, a clear lunch break, a journey home • When home working, you lose these boundaries • Make sure you include things like a designated break time.
SUPPORTING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH – WORK LIFE SEPARATION • Ensure you have a good separation of your work and home life • Make sure you are able to switch off outside of work • It helps to have a physical boundary – don’t work in the same place that you relax.
SUPPORTING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH – REGIMENT YOUR TIME • It’s easy to work longer hours when home working • Make sure you are not overworking – if you were still commuting into the office, would you be able to keep up the hours you are working without feeling the impact? • Check to ensure you are not overworking, or checking in on your work in the evenings after you have finished your day.
SUPPORTING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH – MAP OUT YOUR DAY • In can be difficult to have a plan of action for your day • You will need to be more proactive about your goals – otherwise you may feel unaccomplished • Write up a practical plan of action for each day, such as a to-do list • Keep your actions for each day reasonable.
SUPPORTING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH – IDENTIFY HOW YOU WORK • Understand how your work to make sure you are productive • Avoid disruptions in the home environment • Doing this can also help with the separation between your work and home life.
SUPPORTING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH – MAKE TIME FOR HEALTHY PRACTICES • Staying healthy can be difficult when home working • Make sure you are physically active – going for a walk on your lunch or doing some exercises before and after working • Maintain a balanced diet, avoiding saturated fats and refined sugars.
SUPPORTING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH – COMMUNICATION • Check in with your team regularly • This is particularly important if you are having a difficult day • Think about the best way to communicate – this could be via app, instant messaging or email, or perhaps over the phone may be more suitable.
SUPPORTING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH – MAKE TIME TO BE SOCIAL • The social aspect of work is often overlooked • Without talking with colleagues, we lose this social part of our lives • Make sure you are talking with others – this could be having a talk with friends or your family • Take action to avoid being left isolated.
COVID-19 AND MENTAL HEALTH – LISTEN TO TRUSTED SOURCES • Limit how much time you spend reading the news • Decide upon a specific time to check on news sources • Also ensure that you are only listening to reputable sources of information • Remember that rumours and untrustworthy sources are more likely to spin towards negative headlines to generate views.
COVID-19 AND MENTAL HEALTH – SOCIAL MEDIA • Take a break from checking social media so much • Again, only set yourself certain times to check social media • Mute certain search terms, hashtags or groups if you find it is having a negative impact on your mood • Remember you can install plug-ins to make this easier.
COVID-19 AND MENTAL HEALTH – UNDERSTANDING CHANGE • Recognise that you are in a place of change • Think about what you can and can’t control about the situation, and focus on what you have control over • Remember that any period of change can put a strain on your mental health – it’s okay not to be okay.
TAKE ACTION FOR MENTAL HEALTH DIFFICULTIES • Talk to the NHS for medication, counselling waiting lists – although bear in mind the strain currently being felt by the service • Understand what benefits you have from your current working arrangement. Is there an employee assistance programme or private medical benefit? • Look for charity support through national charities like MIND and Mental Health UK, or the Bank Workers Charity if you work in financial services • Call Samaritans on 116 123 • Local support could be found through local charities.
IIBA UK Scotland Branch event ANY QUESTIONS?
IIBA UK Chapter Scotland Branch
IIBA UK Chapter Scotland Branch Thank you for joining us. #Staysafe RESTRICTED
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