Kari Taylor spoke about mental health in the workplace to business leaders at the “Wake, Rattle, and Roll” breakfast at the Lima Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center on Friday, Feb. 24.
LIMA — Mental health is an important aspect of overall well-being, and it is essential to address it in the workplace. Poor mental health can affect job performance, relationships with colleagues and overall job satisfaction. A supportive and positive work environment that promotes good mental health is a necessity for retention and growth of employees.
Kari Taylor, executive director at Cornerstone of Hope Lima, spoke about a book by Simon Sinek, “Leaders Eat Last.” She shared that in his book Sinek talks about happy chemicals that we naturally get from life. These chemicals are endorphins, dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin.
Endorphins are gained from hard work and laughter. They help one’s ability to endure when it’s hard and they mask physical pain. Dopamine is gained from accomplishments, like when things come off the to-do list or when goals and milestones are met. Any time there is a sense of accomplishment it triggers the brain to release dopamine that makes us feel good. Endorphins and dopamine create a sense of happiness. There doesn’t need to be others to help with this. In many cases these drugs are released through self-fulfillment.
Serotonin is gained when we feel respected, supported and liked. It matters when you feel valued in your workplace. Oxytocin is developed over a long period of time and therefore lasts longer. It comes from a sense of belonging. It is released when you feel safe, you feel love, empathy and generosity. Serotonin and oxytocin are dependent on others who share your workplace.
All four of these chemicals must work in combination to develop a sense of well-being in the workplace.
Kari said, ” When the job becomes more important than the people, then we suffer. If they have no say in how they get this done or accomplish it, that affects their mental health.”
Cortisol then is the enemy of the happy chemicals. Cortisol is the main stress hormone in your body. In your brain, cortisol helps control your mood. It’s also involved in fear and motivation. Cortisol levels fluctuate during the day. In general, they’re high when you wake up and drop throughout the day. When you deal with stress, your body releases extra cortisol to get you through it.
Being aware of how the chemicals affect the body can be a key in fostering mental health in the workplace.
Promoting mental health in the workplace requires a proactive approach that involves creating a supportive work environment and providing resources and support for employees who need it. By prioritizing mental health in the workplace, employers can help employees maintain good mental health and improve overall job satisfaction and performance.
Reach Dean Brown at 567-242-0409
