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18 Jul 2022

5 ways to build resilience and how employers can offer training

The ability to bounce back after trauma is a vital skill that everyone needs to develop. But sometimes people need support - and that’s where employers can help

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Few people go through life without experiencing trauma of some kind, and when this happens it can be difficult to deal with. It could be the loss of a loved one or friend, or it could be dealing with stress or other personal issues.

Just a few back a few decades ago, employees were told to deal with their personal problems outside of work. For many people this just wasn’t possible and led to serious and, in some cases, fatal consequences. Businesses across the world started to recognise problems that employees faced, and started to come around to the idea that they would need help at work as well help outside it.

Resilience, the ability to bounce back after a traumatic event or events, is not developed overnight but something that is learned. The five top tips for building residence included exercise, relaxation, talking, balance and routines, but there are other factors including:

1. Looking after yourself. This is more about eating well, sleeping well, taking breaks, and making sure you have time to indulge in personal interests and hobbies.

2. Seeking help from others. Unexpected events can be difficult to deal with. It’s even more difficult if you haven’t faced or experienced anything like it before. Speaking to colleagues, especially managers, can be instrumental in coming to terms with difficult news. When other people have experienced what you are going through, quite often they will have advice that makes sense.

3. Exercise. Employees who experience burnout, for example, will often be told by a doctor to exercise and it’s not uncommon to hear this for people who aren’t going through trauma. Exercise works in two ways. First, it makes you think about something else while doing it and second, it uses up energy that might have prevented you from getting a good night’s sleep.

4. Relax. Straightforward, but it works. Try to find a spa or relaxation treatment that you can book quickly and take some time out. It could be a massage, for example. If this is too expensive, or time is an issue, a visit to a local swimming baths could also work, especially if they have a jacuzzi or steam sauna.

5. Balance. This one is trickier because it relies on achieving a work-life balance, and for many this consists of reducing working hours or trying to squeeze in those personal projects after work, which isn’t always possible, especially if you have children. Some employers have flexible working hours, so it could be the case of just asking if what you want is possible.

How can an employer use resilience training?

Employee mental wellbeing has never been more important. We’re rebounding from a pandemic, inflation is hitting dizzy heights, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is putting pressure on food supplies and other items. Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace Report 2022 states that “stress among the world’s workers reached an all-time high – again” with 44% of employees experiencing high levels of stress from their previous day’s work.

So, what can employers do?

Well, the easiest and most efficient way to look after employees is by implementing and using HR technology, such as a digital HR platform that works on desktop and mobile devices. This way, employees can log in to their benefits and book relaxation treatments, take part in company organised events like running, book psychologist appointments, or reach out to colleagues for help.

A modern HR platform is the easiest way to offer benefits to help mental wellbeing, especially resilience training. Company organised events are just one such example of resilience training, but it could also be the case that employers want to roll out informational videos through the platform, detailing how employees can receive help. This could include: better understanding of ourselves, emotion regulation, recognising self-insights, how to achieve goals (work or personal), understanding strengths and weaknesses, and developing self-esteem.

If some of these are offered then employers should find that their employees work better, are more productive, and this will lead to a better work environment. Employees will also want to stay working for their employer if they know they will be supported. We have no idea what the future holds – the least a company can do is provide a safety net.

Original article: How to utilise resilience training as a benefit to support mental wellbeing.

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