The Changing Work Environment

New norms surrounding flexible hours and locations that support hybrid work are in discussion. Companies focus more on creative productivity than how many hours a person puts in (yet many companies have software that tracks hours.) Healthy boundaries, work-life balance and sensible workloads are in focus and firms that overwork their workforce are in disapproval. Organizations are investing in strategic practices to reduce burnout. Many companies provide employee assistance programs (EAP) offering complimentary in-person or digital therapy. Organizations do not just see these changes as an HR benefit but strive to embed mental health in the company culture. Managers are asked to be part of psychological safety and emotional intelligence training to spot burnout. Normalizing dialogues about the topics of therapy, mental illness and neurodiversity are encouraged. Stress level check-ins and wearable biofeedback tools tied to Human Resources departments are used to take the temperature of employee stress. To mitigate workplace stress companies even create restorative places, such as quiet rooms, in their facility sites.

Incivility in our Society

From small insults to more serious forms of aggression, acts of disrespect have consequences on our health, wellbeing and confidence. Take the example of being cut off in traffic, an experience that leaves one seething miles later or perhaps you have been rudely interrupted by a colleague in an important meeting. The magnitude of the effect it has on your decision making is not surprising, as most people replay the threatening scene repeatedly in their mind. When a person is rude to us, we feel targeted. The nervous system interprets these events as life-threatening and our ability to problem solve is compromised. ‘Anchoring’ is a term for cognitive bias describing the human tendency to rely too heavily on a first piece of information when solving a problem. For example, our outrage creates an overfocus (or anchor) on our initial interpretation ofwhat happened and ignores mediating information. The anchoring effect keeps us from logical solutions because of our judgment errors related to skewed expectations and dismissed information.

Remaining Positive in a Chaotic World

Have you noticed how the world is changing?

Occasionally feeling overwhelmed is normal and it may be challenging to stay positive about the future. Maintaining a sense of hope may help to stay upbeat, as hopefulness is associated with wellbeing, resilience and reduced feelings of depression. Existential thinkers, like Viktor Frankl, highlighted the value of meaning and purpose as a source of hope. While Psychologist C. R. Snyder’s theory asserts that hopefulness serves as a coping mechanism to deal with stress and adversity.

Managing Stress with Mindfulness

The article discusses how mindfulness can be used in managing stress in young people. The many benefits of mindfulness skills are discussed. Self-calming steps are suggested. Child development is discussed in terms of stressors common to the ‘tween’ stage. Wellness skills for managing school stress are made evident. Brain science of stress and anxiety are discussed throughout. Resources are made readily available.