5 Unique Ways to Support Your Employees’ Mental Health

When you don’t account for employee mental health, you could see a high turnover rate, leading to a lower-performing workforce. Investing in their well-being isn’t just what’s right for them, it’s also right for your company.

Better mental health encourages high morale in the office, which also benefits management. No one wants a workforce that dislikes them. When you help your employees stay positive, that energy comes back to you.

Here are 5 ways you can effectively support your people’s mental health

1. Install nap pods

Numerous studies show the benefits of a midday nap, but employees aren’t often provided a good place to indulge in this break-time activity.

More companies are investing in nap pods, essential mini sensory-deprivation pods that they can adjust to provide them with the optimal resting experience. Taking a 15-30 minute nap in the middle of the day can help employees feel alert, raise morale and stay productive.

You can find these pods online through various manufacturers and set them up in a private breakroom for everyone to enjoy.

2. Add an adult playground

It’s no secret that playgrounds benefit kids’ mental health, but it can have the same effect on adults.

There are many benefits to getting some sunshine and fresh air, and the levity of wasting time around playground equipment can make strengthen team bonds and lift their spirits.

Adult playground equipment not only lets your employees have fun, but it provides opportunities to exercise away from a conventional gym. Swings, rowers and other adult playground equipment can inspire fun and creativity while providing exercise's physical and hormonal benefits.

3. Create an office garden

Many mental health benefits come from being around plants. Greenery helps people feel centered and connected with the world around them. They also help purify the air, helping your employees breathe easier during stressful times.

Being around living things can help an office environment feel less sterile and closed off. You can maximize this benefit by encouraging your employees to help make an “office garden.”

There are multiple ways to do this depending on your space and team desires. You can provide a stipend for each employee to purchase a plant of their choosing to be on or near their desk. You can then have fun naming the plants and putting out information about them. Before you know it, you’ll have an office filled with fresh plants to enjoy.

If you have the room, you can take a different approach and create a greenhouse or garden space outdoors. You can create a walkway or place benches around the garden for employees to relax and enjoy. You could hold meetings or lunch events in the greenhouse or even grow food for everyone to enjoy.

Before you start a project like this, it’s important to check in with your team about any plants they might have an allergy to.

4. Paint a mural

The colors of the rooms your employees work in can significantly impact their mental health. Stark and bright colors, like reds, yellows and oranges, can energize a space but can also make workers more anxious. Greens, blues, purples and warm neutrals can invoke relaxation and calm but may get too relaxing.

The colors you use for your office should reflect the job, but you can have the best of all worlds by painting a mural on one of your walls.

To be clear, you don’t have to paint the mural if you’re not artistically inclined, but having one can add color and inspiration to your workspace.

Ask if anyone in the office would like to paint the wall or consult a professional to paint for your company. Use various colors to create an image representing your team’s mission or just a landscape everyone can enjoy.

5. Make a coloring station

Coloring is a creative way to improve focus and relax the mind. Setting up an adult coloring station allows employees to engage in mindfulness while expressing themselves.

All you need is a table, adult coloring books and colored pencils. Coloring is a fun, low-key activity that can relieve stress and anxiety. Employees can even take some of the supplies to their desks for use during their breaks.

Do your employees have art supplies they don’t use? Encourage them to add it to the collection to expand your coloring station to a craft zone. Having this type of activity on-site can help your employees stay fulfilled, especially if they’re in a less creative role.

Supporting employee mental health

If you don’t support your employee’s mental well-being, they’ll burn out and want to leave. You need to give them the opportunities you would want if you were in their roles. By providing them with fun opportunities that promote mental health, you show your employees that you care about them and want them to grow with your company.