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Be a pro manager: Master team building and coaching skills!

Are you a Manager or someone looking to help grow your team? Then this article is for you! A good leader is someone who can inspire trust, build relationships, and drive results. Leadership requires you to develop a set of skills that can guide others fruitfully. These skills can be

Is your micromanagement driving your team away?

How micromanagers can manage their teams better From the moment you wake up, you feel the weight of ensuring everything in your team runs smoothly, convinced that only your constant oversight can keep things on track. Every task feels like a potential disaster if you’re not directly involved.  While

Financial wellbeing: Why it’s essential for mental health in the workplace

If one part of your car isn’t working well, it naturally affects the whole car's performance. Similarly, if one aspect of your life isn’t going well, it affects the other parts as well. To live a healthy life, one needs an overall holistic growth that includes

Thriving work environments: Essential management strategies for success

A thriving work environment is the backbone of any successful organization. It fosters employee wellbeing, enhances productivity, and drives long-term growth. Productivity and job satisfaction are very much linked to the leadership and management strategies used by the organization. Management strategies include creating and fostering an environment where employees feel

The workspace of the future: How design drives productivity and wellbeing!

Whether you work at home or in the office, every professional knows the importance of workspace design. Implementing a design that promotes productivity and enhances mental health is essential to unlock maximum potential. Organizations have realized the importance of having a workplace focused on improving productivity and aiding employees in

What does the tech in mental health look like in 2025?

As we look toward 2025 and beyond, several exciting trends are set to revolutionize how individuals access, experience, and benefit from mental health care. These innovations promise to address longstanding challenges in the field while introducing new opportunities for prevention, treatment, and overall mental wellness. Let’s take a closer

Supporting neurodiverse employees for a more inclusive workplace

Neurodiversity, encompassing conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and Tourette's syndrome, represents natural variations in human cognition. Creating an inclusive workplace for neurodiverse employees isn't just about compliance, it has strategic advantages.Think of neurodiversity as nature's way of equipping different minds with different

Common questions employees have about accessing wellbeing resources

Despite the growing availability of workplace wellbeing programs, many employees remain hesitant to access these resources. This reluctance can stem from various interconnected factors, including societal stigma, organizational culture, and practical barriers. Understanding and addressing these concerns is essential.  This blog will take you through what’s keeping your employees

Culture shock: Transform your workplace into a haven of wellbeing!

An employee can thrive only when the workplace environment is safe and comfortable for everyone. A positive work environment sees less absenteeism and attrition. It also positively impacts the productivity of the employees and can significantly raise your net promoter score. But creating such an environment can be tricky. You

Managing digital fatigue: Combating mental exhaustion in the age of screens

The average person spends over 7 hours a day looking at screens, which is nearly 1/3rd of a full 24-hour day! Technology consistently developing at unthinkable speeds, introducing gadgets to every aspect of human life. This has bombarded humans with the burden of these digital interfaces consuming most of

The art of unplugging from work

To disconnect or unplug is to create a clear divide between different activities or various parts of your day - especially between leisure and work time. This allows a focussed switch from professional aspects of your life, to personal ones, which can involve family time, physical activity, emotional wellness, or

How to support grieving employees beyond bereavement leave

In 2003, The Grief Recovery Institute was surveyed to assess the impact of grief on the workplace. It recognised that people grieve - the death of loved ones including pets, divorce, family crises, and major lifestyle alterations especially around health. The resulting financial loss in productivity business in 2003 was

Success starts with you: The direct impact of employee wellbeing on business outcomes

According to the World Health Organization's 2023 Mental Health at Work report, organizations with robust mental health programs report 35% higher productivity levels.Yet, despite these compelling statistics, many organizations still treat employee wellness as a peripheral concern rather than a core business strategy. This oversight isn'

Achieving work-life balance: The key to employee happiness

The overstimulated world that we live in today has made it almost a necessity to strive for a healthy work-life balance rather than looking at it as a luxury. Many employees of today whether they work through an online, offline, or hybrid mode, give more importance to flexibility and work

Fostering innovation through psychological safety in the workplace!

Creating an environment where risk-taking naturally occurs, where your team feels safe to speak up and challenge the status quo isn't just good practice, it's a game-changer for business success. McKinsey's research reveals a striking insight that employees in psychologically safe workplaces are 3.

The impact of health awareness programs on employee wellness!

No matter how much we talk about the importance of employee wellbeing in the workplace, it remains a concern. This can be attributed to the fast-paced lifestyle and constant workplace demands. Although taking a day off for sickness is common among corporates, we still have a long way to go

Toxic positivity in the workplace: How forced positivity impacts mental health

Mental health has been a growing discussion in the workplace. Many corporations have mandatorily incorporated workplace policies and practices to promote wellbeing. However, this can cause a growing pressure to maintain a positive attitude at all times. While optimism has its place, an excessive push for positivity can be detrimental.

Mind matters: Proven techniques for boosting mental health and wellbeing at work!

Despite the growing awareness around mental health, employees still feel the stigma to talk about it, especially at their workplaces. This happens mainly due to a lack of leadership disconnect, outdated practices, and no proper policy around mental health. However, employers have a huge role in changing the narrative.  Source

How can you thrive under a micromanaging boss?

It’s not easy working under a micromanager. It’s gruelingly painful and can drain you mentally, intellectually, and emotionally. It’s one of the most cited reasons for people to leave their organizations, and it undermines the morale the organization has so painstakingly created. No matter how agitated you

Why wellness retreats are a game changer for employee engagement.

When the COVID-19 Pandemic hit the world, there was a radical shift in work culture and mode of work. Many individuals benefited from the online work because of the flexibility and autonomy it offered. But as the world slowly moved away from the restrictions of social distancing, isolation and online

How to prevent workplace stress from affecting personal life

Companies have been innovating and progressing at a rapid pace. This has transformed the landscape of the global economy, and technological advancements in the world. However, this has come at an expense, an increase in workplace stress for employees. The stress can accumulate to such a point it spills over

Remote work, real challenges: Balancing productivity with mental wellbeing

Remote work has shifted the modern workplace, with many professionals embracing this new way of working over traditional office settings. While it offers unprecedented flexibility and eliminates common workplace constraints, remote work has proven to be a double-edged sword. The freedom to work from anywhere comes with its challenges. Boundaries

The mental health revolution: How managers can champion employee wellbeing!

World Health Organization mentions that almost 60% of the global population is at work. And each of these workers should have a safe and healthy work environment. This means employers and managers are responsible for offering mental health support to their colleagues, peers, and teammates. Healthy and safe workplaces are

Occupational health: A cornerstone of employee wellbeing

Occupational health deserves as much attention as physical and mental wellbeing at work. Essentially, it also includes the physical and mental wellbeing of all employees. When an employee is going through a challenging period, providing support is the organization’s responsibility, but occupational health focuses on analysing and implementing policies

The link between physical and mental health: Managing stress-induced symptoms

We’ve all heard the saying - “Sound mind in a sound body”. Many of these sayings often turn out to be false but believe it or not, there is truth to this saying and science says so too. The linkage between our physical and mental health is too significant

The power of microbreaks: Boosting mental recovery and productivity at work

The fast-paced work environment has unintentionally created a silent pressure to maintain constant productivity. This can be both mentally and physically overwhelmingly exhausting. However, research consistently shows that working longer can do more harm than good. Taking regular breaks within work sessions can be highly effective in increasing productivity and

How does employee wellbeing impact business outcomes?

Employee wellbeing is more and more a buzzing topic and with reason. Studies in the last many years show us that improving employee wellbeing is one way to directly impact your business’ key success metrics. In fact, a study from the Harvard Business School stated that there was “a positive

The incredible benefits of employee wellness programs you can’t ignore!

A healthy workforce is the backbone of any organization, so organizations must take care of their people. Thus, organizations design employee wellness programs to address the physical and mental health of the employees and build a healthy workplace culture.  In this article, we will explore the benefits of employee wellness

Crafting wellness: The essential guide to building effective employee wellness programs

The reality of employee wellness programs often falls short of expectations. Despite substantial investments and good intentions, many organizations struggle with low participation rates, minimal health improvements and disappointing returns on investment. The disconnect between program goals and actual outcomes creates frustration for both leadership teams and employees, ultimately undermining

Strategies to boost employee participation in wellness programs!

Companies in the last few years have started prioritising employee wellbeing, addressing the pertinent needs of their staff as well as recognising how it can support productivity and business outcomes. Whether its hiring EAP services or mental health workshops, all these are a step in the right direction for the

Revolutionize your workplace: Discover the power of employee engagement software!

Imagine a workplace where employees come to work but don't feel motivated or passionate about their work. They show up to do the bare minimum. Gallup mentions that not engaged and actively disengaged employees account for USD 8.9 trillion in lost productivity around the world.  The same

How to foster a supportive environment for employees facing mental health challenges

An organization is as good as its employees. Employee wellbeing is extremely important in order to produce desirable outcomes. Creating a supportive environment for the employees is key to creating sustainable practices and building deeper connections at work.  In today’s fast-paced and demanding work environment, fostering a supportive atmosphere

How do I keep track of what is working and how best to support my employees? - Wellbeing Console

The corporate world leaders have begun to address mental wellbeing in the workplace. Many workplaces hold workshops, seminars, and regular sessions to raise consciousness about and actively engage with mental wellbeing. However, tracking each employee’s progress in an organization can be difficult. It can be confusing to understand which

Tech-savvy wellness: How to use technology to supercharge workplace efficiency

As organizations recognise the direct correlation between employees' wellbeing and productivity, innovative tech solutions are emerging as powerful tools to support both health initiatives and operational excellence. According to the Corporate Wellness Report, the global corporate wellness market will reach $90.4 Billion by 2026 as AI is emerging

The surprising link between workplace sustainability and employee happiness

Sarah works in a startup tech company. She is happy with her work, and her boss is nice. It’s a peaceful work life for Sarah. But still, she feels bored and disconnected from her colleagues. The mundane routine doesn't excite her enough to look forward to work.

How to incorporate suicide prevention training into employee wellness programs

The official theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day has been ‘Mental Health At Workplace’ making it clear and crucial for the world to highlight the important correlation between workplace and mental health. Mental Health does not exist in isolation.  If you are struggling with a mental health

Substance abuse in the workplace: Prevention and support strategies

Substance abuse in the workplace isn’t simply a personal problem; it’s a significant challenge that affects productivity, safety, job satisfaction and overall health of the employee, team, and organization. There is an urgent need to address this issue in the workplace proactively. HR leaders and managers should work

How corporate wellness programs fuel small business growth

Corporate wellness programs are a great tool for employers to achieve employee wellness so that employees can come to work in their best shape and with a happy mind. Well-structured corporate wellness programs have many benefits, including improved employee productivity, reduced employee churns, and engaged and happy employees, which ultimately

Promoting social connection at work to combat isolation and loneliness

We are in an era that strongly encourages independence and provides the infrastructure to survive with minimal human interaction, a silent epidemic is sweeping through workspaces: loneliness. As this goes unchecked, the problem will snowball into other issues causing severe consequences for both employees and organizations. As we navigate this

Imposter Syndrome: Identifying and overcoming self-doubt at work

Do you ever feel inadequate and incapable at work? Do you feel that others are better and that you are unable to add any value to the task? If you resonate with any of these, you could face Imposter syndrome. Self-doubt and criticism often go hand in hand for individuals

Secrets to boosting efficiency through employee wellness!

In recent times, many things have happened that have directly impacted employees' wellness. COVID-19 has changed the way we work and where we work. Mass layoffs in the world have created a fearful environment among employees. Inflation is rising. There has been some disturbing news about the burnout of

What can an employee mental wellbeing program look like?

Wikipedia defines Employee Assistance Program as a program that offers free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services for employees. In the late 1930’s drinking during work hours, on the job was very normalized. But soon enough people started noticing the impact it was having on productivity

How to approach a colleague who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts

Self-harm and suicidal thoughts are topics that must be dealt with utmost sensitivity. When an individual is undergoing thoughts of self-harm, they are extremely vulnerable. Their emotions of hurt, anger, sadness, emptiness and hopelessness will be at an all-time high. And therefore we must support them in the ways they

Workplace cafeterias and its  impact on wellbeing

“To me, food is as much about the moment, the occasion, the location and the company as it is about the taste.” - Heston Blumenthal  We know that consistent and nutritious meals are a big part of having a healthy lifestyle. But quotes like the above and “family that eats

How to cope with festive stress

Festivals can be a great source of energy, joy and togetherness. But does everyone feel the same? The answer is no. Not everyone perceives holidays and festivals as positive, energizing and harmonious. Especially for employees going through emotional turmoil or a period of disturbance and imbalance, festivities can actually bring

How can employees engage in their mental wellbeing at their own pace and time?

Companies are increasingly recognizing the importance of mental wellbeing in the workplace. However, with busy employee schedules and the sensitivity of the topic of wellbeing, it can be challenging to find ways to incorporate wellbeing practices into the workplace. Manah understands this challenge and created Manahverse as a solution. Manahverse

Best practices for HR leaders to reduce absence and disability claims

When a company is hiring for a role, it’s not just hiring a talent. Each individual has their unique strengths and improvement areas that they need to work on. When challenges are encountered in an individual's personal life, it is natural for work to get affected and

Understanding the long-term effects of workplace bullying on mental health

That bully from high school has now moved into the workplace. They are now those toxic managers who constantly spread misinformation about you, putting you down in every meeting, and putting extra workload deliberately, especially during the weekends.  A survey reveals that abusive misconduct is real, at least 30% of

How to launch an Employee Mental Wellbeing Program in your organization?

Your employees are your biggest assets. Investing in their mental health means you can expect more engaged and happy employees in the workplace. After all, a healthy workplace culture can only drive measurable business outcomes.  There are not just one but many benefits of having a solid mental wellbeing program

Awesome podcasts that can change your life

India is the third largest podcasting industry after the USA and China. Podcasts have found their way into young adults’ daily routines. The largest number of podcast listeners in India happens to be GenZ. What is making podcasts so popular? * It is a great self-help tool. One gets to explore

The impact of chronic stress on employee cognitive functioning

The growing hustle and bustle of the corporate world has increased employee stress. Due to this, there has been a growing number of cases of chronic stress. This can be extremely harmful to mental wellbeing and lesser discussed but equally impacted, physical wellbeing. Cognitive function in the workplace drastically decreases

Brain fog in employees: What, why, and how?

“I couldn’t recall the person’s name throughout the Zoom call; it was such an embarrassing moment.” My friend told me the other day when I casually mentioned how I opened the fridge but couldn’t remember what I was looking for. Have you ever experienced something similar? For

Creative Ways to Foster Employee Social Connections

Your satisfaction with your job is directly proportional to the kind of relationships you share at the workplace with your colleagues and team. Work itself is not entirely responsible for your overall job satisfaction. There have been instances where social support received at the workplace was ranked higher above than

Addressing the Psychological Consequences of Toxic Behavior in the Workplace

Toxic behavior has unfortunately been an increasing issue in the workplace. Experiencing a toxic work culture can be traumatic and force employees to exit companies. As soon as management gets reports of toxic behavior, it should be addressed immediately. Employees look to their leaders and HR to ensure the workplace

The Role of Empathy and Kindness in Mitigating Workplace Psychological Strain

Conflicts at the workplace are inevitable because every employee has different personality traits, goals, expectations, and perspectives. However, every conflict doesn't need to be ugly. When dealt in the right way, conflict can pave the way for new learning, growth, and innovation. The only criterion is that the

How can you regulate emotions effectively?

Emotional regulation is an essential life skill that helps us manage our emotions and cope with life’s challenges. It’s the ability to identify and understand feelings, express them appropriately, and control them when necessary. Sometimes when you’re in the middle of a conflict at work, it’s

The Psychological Fallout of Working Under Unkind Leadership

Recently, a senior executive of a private bank was in the news for being unkind and abusive to his colleagues. And this is not a one-off incident. We all have heard or experienced unkind leaders at our workplaces at some point in our careers.  My career trajectory changed completely after

Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Gen-Z Employees: A Leadership Imperative

Gen-Z employees are a new and upcoming generation in the workforce. This generation is equipped with a diverse and unique range of skills which makes them ideal talent for the new challenges present today. However, these unique set of skills, have introduced an alternative perspective to mental health in the

Managing Employees with Psychological Disorders: Best Practices for HR Leaders

World Health Organization (WHO) mentions that more than half of the world population is working, and 15% of them live with mental health disorders. It further mentions that 12 billion working days are lost every year due to mental health issues. These employees not being treated and supported effectively can

The Emotional Burden of Termination: Mitigating Psychological Harm in the Workplace

We live in an unpredictable world. According to data from Layoffs.fyi, a staggering 98,834 employees have already been let go by 337 tech companies in the first half of this year alone. Workplaces are now focusing more on reducing operational costs and implementing easy replacement options via various

9 Powerful techniques for managers to hold difficult conversations

Managers like you are the people having some of the toughest conversations in the organization. You’re sandwiched between the pressure from the management and the pushback from your team.  Sometimes, no matter what you plan for your team, or how you plan to steer them, you have no other

How mental filters impact leadership decisions

Making decisions is often a difficult process for many, especially when it may be a new or challenging role to assume. A lot of factors influence what a person’s final choice may be and how long it takes to make it, from experience to confidence. Here we talk about

Building Psychological Resilience in the Modern Workforce

Employees in the workforce face many challenges daily. This can mentally exhaust employees, especially when they face difficult challenges that haven’t been successfully solved. Building psychological resilience is essential to handle such challenges.  With the corporate world growing larger by the second, it is no wonder the workforce gets

The lasting impact of narcissistic leadership on employee mental and emotional health

Narcissistic leadership is a relationship in which the leader is only interested in themselves and their goals and motives. When the motive means so much, it can also cloud an individual’s judgment and morality while making decisions to move forward.   Identifying a narcissistic leadership style: 1. Need for perfectionism:

Shifting work culture: From work vs. wellbeing to work + wellbeing

“I'm afraid I have to work a 9-5 after graduation. I'd surely suffer from burnout.” These are the exact words I heard one of my acquaintances say in a family function weeks ago. Just imagine, he hasn't even walked yet in an employee’s

The psychological toll of toxic work environments: Hidden costs on employee mental health

Before we get into the analysis of how a toxic work environment can impact people’s mental health, let us first understand what the term ‘toxic’ means. The toxic environment is an ecosystem where you constantly feel insecure about yourself and the work you do. There are multiple factors associated

Debunking misconceptions about work-life

Growing up, what did you ever wonder what an office environment would look like? What would your work or career experience be?  The term ‘work-life’ is a broad one and itself has grown and changed to mean so many different things over the years. The imagination and expectations of a

Happy hour at work: Non-alcoholic ways to unwind with colleagues

Nikhil came home whistling that day. He looked happy because he was humming his favorite tune! "What’s the matter?" asked Priya, his wife.  “You seemed to be happy today.” “We have a team potluck next week in the workplace as part of our work happy hour program.

The power of play: How games and puzzles can enhance your workday

Waking up, getting to work, and going about mundane every day can get repetitive and boring to many employees. This repetitiveness can lead to poor performance and productivity reduced job satisfaction and employee retention. It is up to the leaders and employers to foster a culture that engages employees right

Workplace plants: Enhance your desk and mood with green companions

Most of us appreciate how beautiful flowers and trees look and know that photosynthesis is essential for our lives. But our mental and physical wellbeing and connection to plant life are deeper than you realise. Adding plants of all sizes and colours is the simplest way of bringing nature into

10 ways to manage stress in the workplace

Andrew Huberman, Neurobiologist and Professor at Stanford University says, “Stress is a generalized response to mobilize other systems in the brain and body.” When something stresses you out, the chain of neurons in the middle of our nervous system gets activated instantly, all at once. These neurons release a lot

The art of napping: Mastering the power nap for maximum productivity

Energy and productivity are two key components of a thriving workplace. These two metrics alone can fuel a team to complete tasks, assignments, and projects. However, energy and productivity must be cultivated to ensure maximum efficiency. HR professionals, managers, and leaders must discuss strategies to encourage energy and productivity in

The art of the coffee break: How to maximize your downtime

We all love coffee breaks, especially during a hectic work day. But have you wondered why we look forward to coffee breaks so much? Research studies have shown that a small 9-minute break during work can boost productivity and help you recharge for the day. Coffee breaks not only give

Office Olympics: Fun and simple games to boost morale and team spirit

In the fast-paced environment of modern workplaces, maintaining high morale and strong team spirit can be challenging. One innovative and enjoyable way to foster these qualities is through Office Olympics. These friendly competitions, consisting of fun and simple games, can boost morale, enhance team bonding, and inject excitement into the

From dread to delight: Transforming Monday blues into Monday woohoos

Do you often find it difficult to return to put your work shoes on after a long- relaxing weekend? If yes then you are not alone. When you have had time for yourself to relax and unwind on the weekend, it can seem very difficult to return to a week

The connection between leadership and employee mental health

Individuals in leadership positions are expected to set an example for their employees. People in leadership positions tend to have higher levels of expertise and managerial skills than their employees. This encourages employees to look up to their leaders as a role model. Hence, leaders play an integral role in

Shifting procrastination to productivity

“I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow.” ― Margaret Mitchell, Gone with the Wind Procrastination is the process of delaying or postponing tasks and activities instead of completing them. People may be putting off

Mindful munchies: Eating well for mental and physical health

How often have you munched on your favorite popcorn while watching your favorite movie? Or grabbed that double cheese burst pizza and named it “working lunch”? While once in a while, such indulgence might seem to be harmless, regular practice can push you slowly towards poor health and lifestyle diseases

Pet therapy: How furry friends can boost your mood and productivity

In recent years, pet therapy has gained traction in various settings, including workplaces. The presence of animals, particularly dogs and cats, has offered numerous benefits, from reducing stress to enhancing productivity. This article explores how furry friends can transform the work environment, making it more enjoyable and productive. The science

The comedy of commutes: Turning travel time into ‘me’ time.

After working for 4 years in a completely remote mode, the idea of traveling to work sounded intimidating. But after a few days of offline work, I realized that there were a few things in that routine that I had started looking forward to, like listening to my favorite podcasts

Zooming In and Out With the Wellbeing Lens

Manah Wellness hosted another round of riveting roundtable discussions with the HR leaders of Bengaluru in July 2024, and we’re delighted at the rich, deep, and intriguing perspectives that came up. Numerous HR leaders showed up, contributed to the discussion with their experiences and observations, and answered each other’

Email etiquette: How to write emails that won't drive your co-workers crazy

Email is one of the most traditional and common channels of communication in the workplace. An average employee sends out about 26 emails in a workday. Each of these emails holds crucial information for the company. If the contents of these emails are not communicated clearly and effectively, it can

Weaving wellbeing into the culture

Manah organized the round of HR Roundtable Discussion on 28th June 2024, in association with Bajaj Finserv, and witnessed stalwarts and senior leaders of the HR community visit, partake in discussions, and throw light on how the responsibility of ensuring employee wellbeing is a duty of many, and how to

Mirror, mirror on the wall: The surprising benefits of self-reflection

Self-reflection is the ability to reevaluate our actions, thoughts, and beliefs. This is an extremely integral skill on the journey of growth. Many adults fail to master this skill even by the end. However, once one begins self-reflection, it becomes second nature. This skill can cause leaps in the journey

Random acts of kindness: Small gestures that make a big difference

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”- Maya Angelou. This profound quote by Maya Angelou carries a long-lasting and precious impact that human beings can have on each other. The power of making someone

Growing pains: A humorous guide to personal development

Life, we know, is a rollercoaster ride! We usually learn to navigate things better once we have faced certain obstacles. Quotes like “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” encourage dealing with adversities as a big part of personal development. If starting personal development systematically, involves: Self-assessment: Reflect on

Mindfulness beyond meditation: Quirky techniques that work

Mindfulness is a way to practice being engaged with the present moment. It involves being aware of one’s surroundings and emotions without judgment. This is beneficial for alleviating stress and relaxing the body. There are multiple ways one can practice mindfulness. Arguably the most traditional and effective way of

Nature calls: The secret to finding inner peace in your local park

Whether taking a walk in your local park or sitting quietly under the sun, being close to nature brings a sense of calm to us. So, employers should encourage their employees to spend more time out in nature not only for their wellbeing but also to improve the productivity of

Unusual mental health hacks: How to stay sane when life throws you curveballs

The only constant in life is change. Yet, we all struggle when life throws curveballs at us. While some may embrace them gracefully, many find it challenging to cope with the changes. At times, curveballs can wreak havoc, and life seems to have come to an end. But the reality

Digital detox: Unplugging to recharge your mind and soul.

People have done more things online in the last 4 years, post-pandemic than they ever had in their lives. From senior citizens learning to use apps to individuals shifting to a digital nomadic lifestyle, the world has been witnessing an evolution in the way the work culture everywhere is being

The power of 'No': Setting boundaries without feeling guilty

The workplace of today is rife with opportunities, distractions, and demands, and it’s easy to get caught up in a whirlwind of endless “yeses.” But remember, each “yes” is a commitment, a piece of your precious time, and a potential source of stress.  in the fast-paced world of modern

Creating your Zen Den: Craft a personal tranquility space

The Zen Den is a space dedicated to unwinding and taking a break from the negative triggers in the world. This space is typically designed for a single individual’s needs. It is a comfortable and safe space designed to an individual’s preference. This space is supposed to work

Setting boundaries: Maintaining mental wellness in a digital age

Nowadays everyone is surrounded by multiple digital devices at all times. With the constant bombardment of notifications on various devices, it can get overwhelming for many. It is important to limit one’s exposure to these screens. Employees working corporate jobs may feel this way especially due to the demanding

Desk Zen: Energize your workday with office yoga

Yoga is a holistic practice that benefits physical and mental health, making it a valuable addition to a balanced lifestyle. Its impact on us and its many benefits have been known for a long time, though today it is becoming more accessible by being adapted into various exercising styles and

Laughing through the chaos: Humor as a mental health superpower

In the high-pressure environment of the modern workplace, maintaining mental wellness is becoming increasingly challenging. Deadlines loom, workloads increase, and the balance between personal and professional life often tips in favour of the latter. Amidst this chaos, humour emerges as a surprising yet powerful tool to enhance mental health. Incorporating

The connection between leadership and employee mental health

Individuals in leadership positions are expected to set an example for their employees. People in leadership positions tend to have higher levels of expertise and managerial skills than their employees. This encourages employees to look up to their leaders as a role model. Hence, leaders play an integral role in

Surviving office change: How to transition without losing your mind (or your lunch)

Since you're here, you're likely expecting an office change and looking for transition tips. Perhaps you're wondering if it is possible to go to your new workplace, do your job, and come home without stressing about the new setup, the daily commute, the new

From surviving to thriving: Navigating workplace stress positively

Our professional endeavours occupy a fundamental aspect of our lives. For many individuals, their work serves as a vital extension of their personality and identity. Therefore, when such a significant component encounters an obstacle or a stressful incident, it can profoundly affect other areas of an individual’s life. Stress

Effective strategies for holistic employee wellness

Wellbeing for anyone is a mix of our attitudes and policies or practices and must be sustainable for it to be effective. Creating a Three-Tier System for holistic employee wellbeing offers a comprehensive and responsive wellbeing programme.  The “Insights from India's Best Workplaces in Health and Wellness 2023”

Breaking the stigma: Encouraging mental health benefit utilization through peer sharing

Mental health has long been a taboo topic, shrouded in stigma and misunderstanding. Despite the increasing awareness and available resources, many individuals still hesitate to seek help due to societal judgments and personal fears.  One effective way to combat this issue and encourage mental health benefit utilization is through peer

Developing a healthy organisational culture to boost mental health

Employees battling stress and pressure is not a surprising event anymore. Most of the employees have something to confess regarding being anxious and feeling overwhelmed. Well, there are indeed some concerning stats around it.  According to a study by the American Institute of Stress, 82% of workers feel stress at

How can you recover after you've been laid off?

Being laid off is a major life event for anyone, and it raises so many debilitating questions in your mind. If you’ve been laid off recently, this article is for you. The present and the future both look foggy right now, but there are several small things you can

Building a supportive community for employee mental wellbeing

The workplace atmosphere deeply impacts an employee’s mind and productivity. While a negative workplace environment can deeply impact an employee’s morale and workplace productivity, building a supportive community can positively impact an employee’s morale, productivity, and overall mental wellbeing.  In this blog, we’ll explore how to

Adapting to change: Building resilience in uncertain times

“The human capacity for burden is like bamboo- far more flexible than you’d ever believe at first glance.” ― Jodi Picoult, My Sister’s Keeper Why is resilience important? Resilience is our natural ability to be able to thrive after facing challenges. It is called the ability to ‘bounce back’

The ROI of empathy: How compassion drives employee productivity

In today’s workplace metrics, KPIs, and performance evaluations often overpower most of the discussions leaving behind some of the most important human qualities like empathy and compassion. Empathy is in fact a significant factor that can fuel employee productivity and wellbeing. In recent years, there has been a lot

Building healthy habits: Sustainable practices for mental wellness

Habits are powerful. They can either help or hinder our progress in life. The habits we develop can have a significant impact on our physical and mental health, relationships, and productivity. However, building healthy habits that promote sustainable mental wellness is not only achievable but also essential for leading a

Energizing the Workforce with Empathetic Leadership

Manah Wellness, in collaboration with HCL Healthcare, hosted an HR Roundtable Discussion in Noida on 29th May 2024. The high turnout and the subsequent success of the event were a testament to the fact that the HR community wants to connect, to help each other move from viewing employees as

Navigating burnout in the workplace

‘Burnout’ as a term and experience today is very common and there are reasons for it. However, the term and the experience itself are not fully understood and often misconstrued. So let’s spend some time learning what it refers to and how we can identify its signs, to be

Emotional intelligence in the workplace: Enhancing mental wellness

What comes to your mind when you hear the word emotional intelligence? Is it understanding, is it consideration of your emotions or is it someone offering you words of affirmation when you are struggling? Well, it is all of that and much more. Wikipedia defines Emotional Intelligence as the ability

How do wellbeing courses benefit you in everyday life?

If you’ve wondered how therapists help you unravel your deep-seated emotions and help you process them healthily, here’s the answer – they use scientifically proven techniques to help you. Whether you want to improve your coping skills, are going through temporary distress, or struggling with a mental illness, these

Navigating burnout in the workplace

‘Burnout’ as a term and experience today is very common and there are reasons for it. However, the term and the experience itself are not fully understood and often misconstrued. So let’s spend some time learning what it refers to and how we can identify its signs, to be

Breaking communication barriers: Fostering inclusivity in the workplace

The corporate world is open to anyone and everyone. This creates a culturally diverse crowd and environment in the workplace. This brings various creative ideas and benefits to the workplace boosting the company's performance. However, to unlock this power, communication within the workplace must be conducted where all

The power of mindfulness: Enhancing mental wellbeing at work

In today’s fast-paced work environments, maintaining focus and productivity can often feel like an uphill battle. However, incorporating mindfulness practices into the workplace can significantly improve concentration, reduce stress, and enhance overall wellbeing. Discover how the simple act of being mindful can transform the way we work, boosting both

Money matters: Essential financial advice for millennial professionals

The generation of millennials, also called ‘generation Y’ comprises individuals born between 1981 and 1996. The millennial generation has specific financial challenges that were not faced by the generation before theirs. This is because of a number of reasons, including the Great Recession, inflation, mass layoffs being carried out during

Redefining work-life balance for modern professionals

In the contemporary world, the concept of work-life balance is like walking a tightrope, acknowledging that the boundaries between work and personal life are becoming increasingly blurred.  Technology enables seamless connectivity but also creates challenges in maintaining a distinct separation between work and personal time. Here are some effective strategies

How can you make layoffs less painful for employees?

Layoffs can be painful for employees being laid off and can be devastating regardless of the position or designation the employees occupy. There’s a stark difference between laying off people on a large scale, hanging them out to dry, and letting them cope with it by themselves, and the

Faith and science: Bridging the gap in workplace wellbeing initiatives

In today’s time, it is of utmost importance to prioritize employee wellbeing. It not only benefits employees on a personal and professional level but also results in employee retention and better results at employee satisfaction. These initiatives need to be rooted in scientific evidence for them to be credible

The importance of paternity leave for mental health

Wherever there is mind, there is mental health and that is why there is no particular gender, age group, or job industry that is an exception to getting affected due to stress. Every gender has its challenges at the workplace, some are imposed because of societal stereotypes and some due

The HR Dilemma: Balancing talent retention and mental wellbeing

Post-pandemic the discussion around mental health at work and employee wellbeing came into the spotlight for multiple reasons. Many organizations recognised the need of the hour and started learning more and implementing strategies that can benefit employee wellbeing and ensure their psychological safety at work as well. It is a

The power of mindfulness: Enhancing mental wellbeing at work

In today’s fast-paced work environments, maintaining focus and productivity can often feel like an uphill battle. However, incorporating mindfulness practices into the workplace can significantly improve concentration, reduce stress, and enhance overall wellbeing. Discover how the simple act of being mindful can transform the way we work, boosting both

Cultivating gratitude: The impact on mental wellness at work

A report by the World Health Organization mentions that 15% of working-age adults live with a mental health disorder. Without proper and timely interventions, mental health conditions can affect a person’s productivity, confidence, and identity at work, which can result in huge losses for the organization. Therefore, it is

Cultivating a culture of wellbeing: Leadership’s role

A true mark of any great Leader lies in how mindful they are of their teammates and they look after their teams while focusing on getting the best out of everyone and striving for success. Leader has the potential to set the tone for not just the team’s performance

6 healthy snacks to munch on at work

You spend 1/3rd of your day at work. Working for hours on end is sure to make you hungry, or crave tasty snacks. While it’s not all bad to snack on the occasional dessert or chip, snacking on them frequently can be harmful to your body and mind.

Investing in employee wellbeing: The business case

Employee wellbeing is a key factor in determining an organization’s performance. The poorer their wellbeing, the worse the company performs. Since there is a direct correlation between the two, it is essential to maintain and improve wellbeing levels of employees. Many organizations have taken the initiative to implement employee

Nurturing resilience: Building mental toughness in the workplace

Viktor Frankl, an Austria-based Psychiatrist, spent 3 years inside the concentration camp where he faced and witnessed a lot of trauma and torture. While his world came crumbling down around him, he found something to hold on to. He focused on what meaning could be made out of all that

Mindful eating: Cultivating awareness for healthier habits

Mindfulness is a technique that can be integrated into daily routine. This technique helps better be more present and focused on the job at hand, which inherently, enhances the quality of the task. Mindfulness has been adopted by various industries as well. One such industry is the health and nutrition

Empowering your workforce: Promoting work-life balance in a digital age

The digital age has reshaped the way we live our lives. Today, technology is intertwined in every aspect of our lives, specifically our workplace. When technology is utilised appropriately, it can be a tool to enhance communication and employee productivity. When used without moderation, it can become extremely harmful to

Cracking the code of workplace mental health: Shattering myths, embracing solutions

From not even acknowledging the presence of something called Mental Health to addressing it in the context of workplaces, our society has come a long way. There seems to be hesitation and a delay in response within organisations and employees but it is a great start.  The next step is

The power of recognition: Appreciating employees for enhanced performance

Understanding the power of employee recognition Employees are the company’s most valuable assets. These individuals are extremely talented and work hard to hone their skills. They dedicate hours to building and contributing to the company’s growth and development, using their highly developed skills. Companies must foster a culture

How can you build resilience at work?

If you’re already in, or building your way into management ranks, emotional resilience is key. It’s how you handle difficult moments in your life and turn adversities into opportunities. As a manager, or even an employee for that matter is constantly exposed to setbacks, and putting out fires.

Decoding financial behaviour: The psychology of money management

During a recent webinar, I asked a question that made people stop and think: "When you think about taking care of yourself, do you also consider your financial health?" It surprised many to realize just how much money can affect our mental well-being. While we all know money

Creating effective workplace programs for employee health and happiness

When we speak about wellness in the workplace, it is important to consider both physical and emotional wellness. Your mind and body share a closer association than you think. Remember the last stressful day at work and how it made you feel? When you encounter a challenge, your body equally

Effective stress management techniques for employees and employers

Unveiling the impact of stress on performance Stress has become a rapidly growing issue in the corporate world. Every office worker has felt job stress at some point in their lives. Short periods of stress, when a deadline is closing or an important presentation is coming up, are normal and

Nutrition hacks for busy professionals

Professionals dedicated to building their careers and refining their skills tend to have an extremely busy schedule. However, these hectic schedules are exhausting and can make one neglect necessities like having nutritious foods that keep our body healthy. Nutritional requirements can be challenging to incorporate while maneuvering the busy life

Self-care strategies for busy professionals

If you want to be happy and healthy, practising regular self-care will be a game-changer for you.  Self-care is much more than just a spa day or going to shop for your favourite things at a mall. It is a holistic approach toward your physical, emotional, spiritual, artistic, and social

Nutrition in the workplace: A recipe for success

Believe it or not, having good, nutritious food has a major impact on your day-to-day performance, mood, and efficacy. It is common knowledge that we require glucose to function effectively throughout the day. Now, while unhealthy foods solely rich in carbohydrates or sugar, break down and supply glucose to the

Financial wellness for freelancers and gig workers

The traditional 9-to-5 job structure is giving way to a more flexible and dynamic landscape, with freelancers and gig workers becoming increasingly prevalent. Freelancing has become a huge draw, especially for younger workers, with perks like flexibility and uncapped earning potential. Workers can make a nice sum of cash maximizing

Work-life integration: Balancing personal and professional wellbeing

Is it not amusing to notice how we use the term ‘work-life’ while talking about the work front? It goes on to show the role work plays in all our lives. When you call something an important area of your life, it runs an important power to affect you.  When

The Cost of Caring

What HR leaders say about talent retention through a focus on mental wellbeing Manah Wellness organized an HR Roundtable Discussion in Mumbai in March, with over 15 HR leaders and CHROs speaking their minds on ‘Talent Retention: Is mental wellbeing becoming a key differentiator?’. The 75-minute discussion touched upon several

The power of personal development: Unlocking employee potential

Every time you hire someone new, you are hiring a unique talent that stands out from the rest of the people. With a push in the right direction, every individual is capable of reaching their fullest potential. This article explores different ways for managers and employees to maximize their potential

Cultivating a positive work environment: Strategies for boosting employee morale

Are you ready to create a positive work environment and a better workplace culture?  Fostering a positive work environment will engage your employees in their workplace, and they will look forward to coming to the office daily.  A positive work environment makes them comfortable and happy at work, which also

Self-care strategies for busy professionals

If you want to be happy and healthy, practising regular self-care will be a game-changer for you.  Self-care is much more than just a spa day or going to shop for your favourite things at a mall. It is a holistic approach toward your physical, emotional, spiritual, artistic, and social

Building trust in the workplace: The foundation of effective leadership

Trust is the cornerstone of any successful workplace environment. It's the glue that holds teams together, fosters collaboration, and enables growth. Effective leadership hinges upon cultivating and maintaining trust among team members. In today's fast-paced and dynamic work settings, where remote work and virtual teams are

Building a culture of belonging: Embracing diversity and inclusion in the workplace

Though the terms diversity and inclusion are often used interchangeably, they are not the same. When it comes to workplaces and organisations, Resources for Employers defines diversity as, “the variation in personal, physical and social characteristics, such as gender, ethnicity, age, and education” while “inclusion refers to the procedures organisations

Effective communication strategies for enhancing employee wellbeing

Effective communication is the key to fostering a trusting and safe environment. The corporate sector has been painted to be unreliable and overworking its employees. Employees must feel secure and valued in their workspace. They will be prompted to work more productively, and with their full potential while utilizing the

Mindful leadership: Enhancing employee wellbeing through compassionate management

A leadership role is much more than guiding employees. Who you are choosing as a leader is extremely crucial because it sets the tone for the organization’s culture, employee morale, and company performance and predicts growth and future success rate for the company.  Mindful leadership is different from all

Empowering employees through professional development and growth opportunities

In the modern workplace, the significance of empowering employees through professional development and growth opportunities cannot be overstated. Beyond the allure of competitive salaries and attractive benefits packages, employees increasingly seek environments that foster personal and professional growth. Companies that prioritize employee development not only enhance individual skill sets but

Crafting a mindful workplace: Essential elements for mental wellbeing

Modern workplaces tend to be carried away by the hustle-bustle of the corporate world. Employees eventually overwork to meet deadlines leading to burnout, excessive stress, and mental exhaustion. This collective burnout can hinder the performance of the team as a whole. Furthermore, this may lead to more serious mental issues.

Equipping employees with coping strategies: Managing workplace stress

Workplaces are one of the leading causes of stress among the global workforce. One must pay the rent, feed their family, and build wealth for future generations. Occupational or workplace stress is a chronic condition for many, and the pressures of the workplace are bound to continue. We have witnessed

Work-life integration: Balancing personal and professional wellbeing

Healthy work-life balance can be varied depending on person to person. It does not necessarily equate to splitting your time between work and personal life. One can require longer or shorter hours to maintain a healthy personal wellbeing. This balance can determine your employee’s engagement with their tasks, productivity

Beyond the balance sheet: Why investing in employee mental health pays off

Workplaces are crucial determining factors for an employee’s mental health. While workplaces can often amplify issues contributing to poor mental health, they can also play a crucial role in protecting the mental health of employees. In fact, according to the WHO, “for people with mental health conditions, decent work

Effective communication: Reducing workplace stress

Effective communication is a crucial component in the workplace. The quality of communication can determine your team’s productivity and efficiency. Clear communication will allow managers and HRs to convey to their employees precisely what is needed in each task. This will avoid many misunderstandings and improve team performance. The

Encouraging self-care: How organizations can support employee wellness

Feeling burned out and overwhelmed at work is more common than we think. Stress among the workforce is at an all-time high. As Gallup’s 2023 report cites, “East Asia tied with the U.S. and Canada region for the highest level of stress at 52%, and Australia and New

Creating a culture of Psychological Safety: Building a mentally healthy workplace

When you think of an Ideal workplace, how do you imagine your colleagues to respond to you when you are having a bad day at work? How would you want your Manager to communicate critical feedback to you? Apart from safety and security, what else do you watch out for

Financial empowerment: Empowering women through financial education

Gender equality in corporate settings has been a trending topic of discussion. While there has been progress, there is much room for improvement. Workplace environments must collaborate and actively participate to bring equality and empower women around them and the world. Financial empowerment is one such skill that should be

Creating a supportive return-to-work strategy post-pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the mental health of individuals worldwide. As more and more organizations have employees return to the workplace, organisations focus on facilitating the operations and management aspects of working from the office and often do not prioritize the mental impact this transition

The Link Between Employee Engagement and Mental Health

As WHO mentions, 15% of working-age adults were estimated to have mental health issues in 2019. What does that mean for businesses? The same report mentions that an estimated 12 billion workdays are lost every year due to mental health issues among employees, which can result in a US$1

Combating Financial Stress for Better Mental Health

What is financial stress? The World Health Organisation defines stress as, “a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. Stress is a natural human response that prompts us to address challenges and threats in our lives.” Financial stress therefore is stress caused by or related to

The role of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) in mental health support

Where there is a mind, there is mental health. Every individual, irrespective of their gender, financial status, or background, faces challenges that can overpower their strength and courage. It is important to have systems and platforms around us that can be accessed during such hard times. They form and enhance

Cultivating a mindful leadership style for better mental health

Mindfulness is a crucial tool for a person occupying leadership positions. Mindfulness boosts desirable traits of leaders in work environments. Professional environments can be extremely volatile and stressful, and the team turns to leadership positions to learn appropriate reactions to situations. This emphasizes the importance of mindful leadership. Simple practices

Holistic health in the workplace: Beyond mental health

Expanding our understanding of mental health and wellbeing Often mental health or mental health or mental wellbeing brings to mind the idea of therapy. This can be an important and extremely valuable journey for anyone, but forms only one element of mental health. Our wellbeing is impacted by many aspects

Strategies to boost morale and support for employees

In today’s era, the hustle and bustle of the modern workplace demands tight deadlines, meetings and targets, which can become a source of emotional distress. Increasingly, therefore, the wellbeing of employees is becoming a crucial element in the success of an organization. Fostering a nurturing and supportive environment for

Addressing mental health in high-risk occupations

High-risk occupations play some of the most fundamental roles in our society. We need them for our lives to function smoothly. However, these people face a much higher number and intensity of stressors than the average person. Despite this, they continue to work to ensure people’s needs are met.

How to support your employee mental health during organizational downsizing

The economic world around us is a very unpredictable place. Post-pandemic this scenario has been becoming a rather constant event in every individual’s life. The pandemic impacted organizations on many levels and some of its aftereffects are still being explored through various studies and observations. The most common among

Tailoring mental health resources for diverse workforces

In today's fast-paced and constantly changing work environments, mental health has become a critical topic of discussion. As awareness and understanding of mental health continue to increase, it has become imperative for organizations to analyse if their mental health resources meet the needs of their diverse workforce. Diversity

Implementing mental health first aid in the workplace: Equipping employees with skills to support colleagues

What is mental health first aid? Mental Health First Aid International defines Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) as a training program designed to “empower and equip individuals with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to support a friend, family member or co-worker experiencing a mental health problem.” The concept was

The impact of Digital Detox on employee mental health

While technology has revolutionized the way we work, it has also presented us with some adverse effects that were never heard before. In a modern-day workplace, an employee spends 1700 hours per year in front of a computer screen on average. That’s 6 hours per day, as found in

Supporting employees with workplace trauma and PTSD: Addressing Post-traumatic stress in the workplace

How many times has one of us been unfairly criticised for not wanting to go to work and instead told, “Come on! You sound like a ten-year-old not wanting to go to school!” We want to ‘act like grown-ups,’ are afraid of being judged and must pay bills, which is

Tailoring mental health resources for diverse workforces

In today's fast-paced and constantly changing work environments, mental health has become a critical topic of discussion. As awareness and understanding of mental health continue to increase, it has become imperative for organizations to analyse if their mental health resources meet the needs of their diverse workforce. Diversity

Nature’s influence on workplace mental health and productivity

Hippocrates, the father of Modern Medicine once said that “Nature itself is the best physician”. It is pretty self-explanatory but the true powers and positive impact of nature is something that can only be experienced and not explained. The Nature around us has enough potential to provide calming and healing

Reducing mental health stigma in traditionally male-dominated industries

How often have you noticed your male colleagues talk about mental health at the workplace? Probably not much! Does that mean they don't struggle with mental health issues? Or do you think they know better coping strategies? Well, not! However, among men, mental health is often unrecognized. As

Organizational downsizing: How to support your employee's mental health during

The economic world around us is a very unpredictable place. Post-pandemic this scenario has been becoming a rather constant event in every individual’s life. The pandemic impacted organizations on many levels and some of its aftereffects are still being explored through various studies and observations. The most common among

Annual mental health check-ins: A new standard in HR practices

As employers, we have a responsibility to support the mental health of our employees. This is not only due to the increasing awareness of mental health issues, but also because employers are recognizing the impact of mental health on employee productivity, engagement, and overall company success.  One new practice that

Empowering mental health advocates in the workplace: Championing mental well-being among colleagues

In India, mental health problems among the working population (15 - 64 years) are on the rise. A study conducted by Deloitte during the second wave of Covid-19, revealed India to be among the top 18 countries experiencing anxiety.  PwC's 2021 Employee Financial Wellness Survey revealed that 63%

Flexible working: A boost for mental health and productivity

Before we deep dive into the article, let us take a moment to do a small activity. Take a minute to think about your ideal workplace. What roles and responsibilities would you like to take up? What would your office colleagues be like? Would you like to go to the

How to overcome isolation in remote work settings?

With the Covid-19 pandemic and the world going on lockdown, a new trend appeared in workforces all over the world: working from home. While the pandemic has ended, many workplaces still continue to work remotely or in hybrid mode. While according to some, working remotely was part of a healthy

The importance of job control and autonomy on worker's mental health

There has been a shifting focus on job control and autonomy in the corporate workspace. Managers and leadership positions are increasingly aware of the close relationship between autonomy and mental wellbeing. Furthermore, a study by Manpower Group reports that nearly 40% of employees worldwide are prioritizing autonomy in their career

Building mental health literacy among employees

Mental health literacy is crucial especially in a workplace setting as it can set the attitude for the team when approaching mental health challenges. Professional environments tend to have multiple stressors for employees which can have mental health effects. Despite the prevalence of mental health challenges, many workplaces do not

Empowering mental health advocates in the workplace: Championing mental wellbeing among colleagues

A study conducted by Deloitte during the second wave of Covid-19, revealed India to be among the top 18 countries experiencing anxiety.  PwC's 2021 Employee Financial Wellness Survey revealed that 63% of employees experienced stress caused by financial strain since the start of the pandemic. This raises concerns,

How to run an alcohol and drug awareness program in your workplace?

Workplace substance abuse not only impacts workplace culture and productivity but also accounts for almost $81 billion in loss of profit every year. If left unaddressed, it can lead to a rise in absenteeism, high turnover rates, a decrease in work quality, and theft in the workplace.  Moreover, constant abuse

Promoting mental health through employee volunteer programs

Volunteering with paid time off is one of the few benefits that many corporations now offer to their employees. Such programs not only create an impact on society but also help to improve the mental health of employees. Engaging employees regularly in exciting volunteering programs can help them escape the

How to implement workplace wellness in small businesses?

The smaller the company size, the more the opportunities for teammates to understand each other’s styles better and help everyone grow and maximize their potential together. You must have heard of ‘start small, grow big’ and it is true in every sense. When you start a business on a

How to navigate job security and employee wellbeing in the age of automation?

If this article has appeared in front of you right now without searching, the AI algorithm has already demonstrated itself even before we acknowledge it. Being a therapist in the post-pandemic era, I have seen a lot of revolution around how Artificial Intelligence has been coming into the picture in

How can you leverage technology for mental health support in the workplace?

Mental health is increasingly a topic of discussion in corporate sectors, and innovative methods to improve mental wellbeing are being implemented. This shift in focus on employees' self-care is crucial for both themselves and the company’s sustained success. One can leverage the power of technology to facilitate mental

How organizations can support employee wellness

Many of us spend the majority of our waking days at work and focusing on building and advancing our careers, our experiences at the workplace contribute significantly to our overall mental health. The Future Workplace 2021 HR Sentiment survey showed that 68% of senior HR leaders (where 40% were CHROs)

Addressing mental health in multicultural workplaces

The heightened awareness of mental health during the pandemic helped to normalize more discussion of it in the workplace. As a result, employers are prioritizing and enhancing employee well-being benefits. As the world becomes more diverse and mental health needs grow rapidly, the need for cultural competence in mental health

How do you support employees' mental health during tough times?

Be it a global pandemic like COVID-19, a natural disaster like flood, a war, or a recession — it feels like we’re constantly living in a state of crisis. While these are just a few of the global crises, there are endless local crises that a business is constantly challenged

How to address burnout in customer service roles?

Although every day is a new day for reps working in customer service roles, sometimes it can get challenging when things pile up or frustrated customers call. Escalation happens — and customer service reps find themselves wading through a tough day. Such high-pressure jobs can be demanding and wear down stamina,

How does job satisfaction affect mental wellbeing?

How many times have you as an employer thought whether or not your employees are happy in their jobs? While many of your employees are in their ‘dream job,’ chances are, there are still several of them who are not. Chances also are that such poor job satisfaction might be

How to promote mental health in start-up environments?

Start-ups are a thrilling and insightful beginning for many. Start-up environments create multiple avenues for exciting opportunities which can cause fast-paced and high-pressure work environments. It is easy to get carried away by the passion displayed by the team. This can be detrimental to the quality of your work, as

Do you need to train your HR team on empathy?

Over the last few years especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, companies all over the world have been focusing more on creating a healthy environment and culture at work. As a result, the majority of companies have seen a rise in constructive discussions around work-life balance, taking care of one’s

How to inculcate mindfulness into your company culture?

Mindfulness is a powerful mental workout that enhances your brain and increases your capacity to cope with daily stressors and emotional upheavals. The benefits of mindfulness are not restricted to our personal lives; they can also extend to our professional lives. Integrating mindfulness into the work environment can enhance productivity,

Fostering mental health literacy in the workforce

The ideas of leadership and ideal workplaces have been evolving since time immemorial. A healthy and happy workplace is also a place where everyone has an equal opportunity to embrace their unique identities and make use of them in their work. Over the years the idea of Leadership has also

How to evaluate the success of mental health programs in your organization?

Mental health issues in the workplace are on the rise. As the World Health Organization reports, more than half the world’s population is working, and 15% of them live with a mental health disorder. The report further says that 12 billion working days are lost every year due to

Global innovations in workplace mental health programs

A truly healthy workplace must offer more than just monetary benefits to its employees. In order to successfully maintain for itself an efficient and healthy workforce, it must function with compassion, making healthy work-life balance, a non-negotiable. Corporate mental health and self-care for employees are the pillars on which such

13 ways to inculcate kindness at work

Do you remember the first friend you made in your workplace as a fresher? You couldn’t find your way to the canteen and that kind person helped you out. They also kept you company and chatted with you over coffee and it turned out that your mothers were old

10 questions to understand your team's aspirations for the new year and overall emotional wellbeing

As we gear up for the upcoming holiday season and the spirit of festivity is in the air, it’s a good idea for managers to schedule their next employee check-in before wrapping up the year. The end of the year is overall a good time for employee check-in because

Traits that Gen Z workers look for in their managers

The Gen Z workforce is coming to your workplace. But wait, who are these Gen Zs? The generation born between 1997 and 2012 are known as the Gen Zs. Research says that there is a huge disconnect between what Gen Z wants and what their managers think they want. In

A step-by-step plan to ensure zero bullying in your organization

Bullying is abuse that needs to be stopped. However, most individuals and organizations are unsure of how to tackle it, which is why we have provided a step-by-step guide to ensure zero bullying in your organization. These must be carried out on two levels:  1. At the level of prevention

15 meaningful Christmas gift ideas to boost your employees' wellbeing

With the holidays just around the corner, Manah Wellness is here to help you find gifts for the people who are part of your work family. Whether your employee is experiencing stress or anxiety or you just want to show them you’re thinking of their mental health, there’s

How to support your employees' mental health during the holiday season?

We’re living amidst possibly the greatest time where the nature of the corporate work culture is very global. It’s no longer limited to a specific country, profession, or time zone. This has resulted in a beautiful and dynamic cultural exchange all over the world. Festivals are also being

Why accepting people’s differences is crucial for you as a leader and as an individual

“People are just as wonderful as sunsets if you let them be. When I look at a sunset, I don't find myself saying, "Soften the orange a bit on the right hand corner." I don't try to control a sunset. I watch with awe

10 ways being kind improves your wellbeing

Isn’t it strange that ‘kindness’ is such a warm and fuzzy paradox that, we become happier when we make others happy? You may have received a random act of kindness from a stranger at some point of time in your life. It could’ve been a message from a

10 ways to break free from the stress of a high-pressure job

Have you ever yelled, Freddie Mercury’s song lyrics, “I want to break free!” - only you mean it on a professional level? You’re in a high-pressure job, embodying a high-pressure role. Perhaps you are a fire-fighter, police officer, or a healthcare professional, and are feeling the stress spiral

The role of nutrition in maintaining optimal mental wellbeing

"Eat well if you want to become stronger." Perhaps this is one line we have all heard from our parents when we were growing up. But what they meant by "becoming stronger" was becoming physically stronger. Yes, healthy eating habits make us physically strong. But what

World Hello Day: Why is communication a better tool to manage conflicts in the workspace?

All organizations have their fair share of disputes. It is nearly unavoidable in a workspace. You are interacting with your colleagues every shift, and there may be some miscommunication along the way. In fact, in a study conducted by US firm Gartner, 70% of corporate errors are a result of

15 tips to nurture your inner child for a fulfilling life

A popular Hindi film ‘Dear Zindagi’ showcases how a person’s life evolves as she navigates through her life challenges with the help of therapy. Once she starts reconnecting with herself, she starts enjoying life and connecting with parts of herself that she was earlier unable to. Connecting with your

How to support your male employees' mental health the right way

Tomorrow is International Men’s Day, one of the many things related to men that is less talked about and celebrated. But how does this come to happen in a world where there are major patriarchal societies? For men, with authority, there came an overbearing sense of responsibility and the

10 ways your body says you're stressed

Stress is an unavoidable part of life. The first step to controlling stress is to know the symptoms of stress. But recognizing stress symptoms may be harder than you think. Most of us are so used to being stressed, that we often don't know we are stressed until

11 tips to manage anxiety in your workplace

After home, our workplaces consume most of our time. While some might enjoy this, others struggle to cope, and inevitably, once in a while, all of us feel overwhelmed and just want to go home. In this article, you will learn to manage workplace anxiety. But first, what is workplace

How mental wellbeing impacts goal persistence and resilience in adverse situations

Life before the COVID-19 pandemic looked very different for everyone. But ever since the pandemic, we have been getting used to what is popularly called the “new normal”. The greatest asset that we use in dealing with changes and challenges around us is the ability to cope and evolve with

What is imposter syndrome?

Do you ever find yourself succeeding while privately dreading that you're on the verge of being revealed as a fraud? You're not alone. Big names like Maya Angelou, Albert Einstein, and even Michelle Obama have had their moments of imposter syndrome-induced self-doubt. Imposter syndrome is a

Debunking 10 myths surrounding male mental health

Poor mental health can affect people of any gender, but mental health outcomes for men and women aren’t equal. For generations, the true nature of men’s mental health has been hidden behind a mask of toxic, misplaced masculinity. A mask that defined vulnerability as a weakness; never to

Understanding perfectionism

Imagine a perfect way of doing your job. Now think about all the factors that it can include. Perhaps sustained focus, the highest level of motivation, your skillset, and co-operation from your colleagues. Now all of this may help you achieve the best and the highest result but someone else

Resilience building: a key component of mental wellbeing

It has been six months since you got your dream promotion. Let's say you're acing your new job and you're always on time with your submissions, and your boss is impressed. Everything is on track. And then fine one day, you happened to stumble

Exploring the generational shift in attitudes towards mental wellbeing acknowledgment

There has been a noticeable shift in conversations around mental wellbeing in the last decade. With more and more organizational leaders talking about their own struggles with their mental health, there is an increase in knowledge and a slow movement toward acceptance. This points to a shift in how we

How do I live my life to its full potential?

The subject of mental health evokes a range of reactions. From denial to othering. From apprehensions to confusion. Rarely do we find someone acknowledging the need to prioritize our mental wellbeing in our life. After all, it’s such an intangible aspect to make sense. We believe that we are

Breaking the silence -overcoming societal hurdles in discussing mental wellbeing

Every single person faces an emotional difficulty once in a while. Like any other physical injury or illness, mental illness also requires proper care and nourishment for healing. India as a country has faced a lot of barriers in the form of stigma and taboos in addressing mental health issues.

4 Strategies to Encourage Self-Acceptance and Wellbeing

Across the globe, people, companies, leaders, and commoners have slowly begun taking baby steps to support people struggling with mental health. Oftentimes, we stand in our own way, restrict ourselves from seeking help for fear of being judged, and shy away from participating in wellbeing initiatives, only moving further away

Workplace mental health: Is it a good idea to talk to my manager about my stress?

The pressure to meet deadlines, the stress of traveling to the workplace, the workload, and the office environment are some of the stressors that many employees face on a daily basis. These can significantly impact a person's mental wellbeing. Many people choose not to talk to their colleagues

Is employee mental health a worthwhile investment?

Paying attention to employee mental health can prove highly rewarding for everyone involved. The WHO report states that for every USD 1 invested in the treatment of common mental health issues, there was a return of USD 4 by way of improved health and productivity. In the UK, a major

Leveraging Wellbeing Champions For Your Mental Health Program

Good mental and physical health of employees contributes to higher output, better retention levels, and lower absenteeism. Creating an organizational culture of wellbeing requires commitment and sustainable efforts, carried ahead by all members of the company, which will definitely yield results for your organization, as well as the workforce that

Why should your workplace have trained suicide prevention gatekeepers?

Suicide has been a prevalent issue in the world. It has been incredibly detrimental to the world at large. We’ve lost wonderful human beings to suicide when it can be certainly prevented in the first place. It is crucial to actively tackle this issue to minimize the consequences of

5 Visual Messages You Need to Have in Your Workplace to Drive Awareness about Suicide Prevention

In a fast-paced, and demanding work environment like yours, it’s relatively common to feel exhausted when working continuously. This can take a toll on your and your employees’ mental health, in the short and long run. To ensure wellbeing is duly nurtured in your workplace, you need to make

Demystifying Suicide: Let's Unlearn Some Myths

One of the biggest causes of death across the world is suicide, making it a public health concern of priority. It is also known that many attempts and deaths by suicide go unreported. The complexity of the problem and religious, political, and personal beliefs, the thick cloud of stigma around

Creating Awareness of Suicide Prevention Among Employees and Building a First Responder Team

Someone considering (or attempting) suicide is nudged by feelings of overwhelming hopelessness or helplessness, lack of support or connection, immense pressure, or systemic oppression. It is not an act of cowardice or lack of resilience, but a choice made to end suffering, or not being able to see a better

How to care for suicide-ideating employees in the remote workplace?

With the rising preference for working remotely, you must be mindful of the certain negatives that come with it. This may include mental health-related issues which may lead to suicide ideation for employees. As a people leader and a team member, it is important to be empathetic and supportive of

Self-care in the immediate aftermath of a loss to suicide.

Let’s admit it. Self-care is hardly a priority for most people. This isn’t surprising though—we overvalue caring for others and downplay or minimize caring for ourselves. Worse, self-care is perceived as selfish or self-indulgent! What does self-care mean, and what does it involve? Simply put, it implies—

You can save your coworker's life - Here's how.

When a person is distressed, depressed, or has suicidal thoughts, it is the people who are closest to them who are able to pick up cues from their behavior. In our workplaces, we spend more time with our colleagues than we do with our team leaders or HR managers. We’

How to know if your teammate is showing signs of suicide ideation, and what to do about it?

When your co-worker or teammate approaches you and hints that they’re thinking of suicide, what can you do? How should you respond? Can talking about suicide plant the thought in their head?   We'll cover all the essentials in this blog – keep reading. A few things need to

Why organization leadership matters for employees' mental health

Leadership at workplaces can catalyze the much-needed transformation in addressing the challenges of mental health. They say that mental health issues are a fast-growing concern all over the world. One in five of us will suffer from a mental health problem in our lifetime. That’s a lot of people.

Is your workplace motherhood friendly?

Motherhood is a crucial time in the life of a working woman. Expectant mothers who are working full-time require support from their employers in the form of maternity leave and other health benefits. While the extent of these benefits depends on the HR policies of each organization, there are some

Unlocking Diversity: Exploring LGBTQIA+ Terminologies During Pride Month

Pride Month in June celebrates LGBTQ+ diversity, history, and accomplishments. It goes beyond parades, emphasizing the significance of LGBTQ+ terminologies in broadening understanding and breaking free from binary thinking. Understanding these terminologies fosters empathy, builds connections, and promotes a society where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.

5 Warning Signs That Your Work is Affecting Your Mental and Emotional Health

Work stress can manifest in different ways. Are you experiencing any of these signs?

Is Workplace Bullying a Reflection of Your Leadership?

Leaders need to step up and take charge to nip bullying in the bud

How to Keep Non-Promoted Employees Motivated

Your commitment to your people’s growth should go beyond just the annual appraisal exercise. Here’s how.

A Guide for Laying Off Employees with Dignity and Empathy

Use these strategies to be fair, transparent and sensitive while letting go of colleagues.

10 Office Games For Building a Positive Culture

Want to build a positive culture?

7 Ways to Reflect on Your Management Skills

Use these structured steps to improve your management skills.

Skills To Acquire If You Want To Become An Influential Leader At Work

A guide to developing the key skills needed to build and expand your influence at work

How to Stay Strong After a Layoff

With the rise in layoffs across industries and sectors, it can be a challenging environment to navigate. These four tips can help you cope with a layoff so that you land on your feet.

7 Employee Motivation Strategies and Rewards to Win in 2023

All of us tend to begin a new year with a burst of enthusiasm – with renewed energy to do more and better. But how long does this new energy last? A supportive environment or appropriate incentives go a long way in sustaining motivation and energy. This is especially true in

10 Fun employee engagement activities for 2023

Top 10 fun employee engagement activities of 2023

How to Improve and Increase Employee Satisfaction in 2023?

Tips to improve and increase employee satisfaction

Signs that a candidate may not be an excellent emotional fit for your organization

Recruiting an employee is not only about selecting a candidate based on their qualifications or experiences but also the one with a good emotional fit for your organization. When seeking suitable candidates, you have to be attentive to the red flags they may show during the interview process. Some clear

5 employee wellbeing initiatives you can launch in 2023

Here's how you can ensure physical and mental wellbeing for your employees in 2023

How to Improve Teamwork at Workplace in 2023

More companies are realizing the importance of teamwork in the workplace. Teamwork is a core value every team should strive for as it enhances group efficiency and productivity while boosting team bonding. You may have the most skillful team members. However, without teamwork, these skills will do you no good.

Should a manager or colleague reach out to a distressed employee?

Any sudden changes in behavior or work might be an indication of emotional distress.

The 6 Best Fitness Trends for Companies in 2023

4 out of every 10 Indian adults are physically inactive! These simple and effective 2023 fitness trends can help keep your team healthy in the new year.

How to Ease the Return to Work for Parents after Maternity Leave

Getting back to work while dealing with the demands of parenthood is not easy. Here’s what companies can do to make this an easier process.

Employers Need More Sensitization And Awareness About Mental Illness

The absence of intentional policies means that there's little inclusion for people with mental illness in our workplaces. What can organizations do?

Workplace Mental Health: Is Employee Wellbeing a Worthwhile Investment?

How organizations can take a proactive role in promoting wellbeing

How To Build Resilience?

Here are 10 ways to build resilience

Hooked To Your Phone Or Computer? It May Be More Serious Than You Think

Technology addiction is emerging as a serious issue among teenagers and young adults

What Grief Can Look Like

If you’ve lost a loved one to suicide, you are likely to experience intense grief, sadness, guilt, regret, anger, shame and loss. Here's how you can cope

Can you break a habit?

Once a habit is formed, breaking it can become difficult. Here are some practical ways

How Habits Become Addictions

If a habit offers some sort of relief or positive feedback, it may become an addiction

Bullying In Adolescents

Bullying can manifest into mental health issues, know how you can talk to your child about bullying

Body Image And Mental Health

We all have body image issues, but when do we know that it's connected to something deeper than just changing something about our looks?

Getting back to work after a mental health episode

Every day I am reminded of the life I used to lead. On bad days, that meant not being able to get out of bed, barely eating, being exhausted all the time yet being unable to sleep. The good times were getting out of the house battling crippling anxiety.

Is It a Good Idea To Talk To Your Manager About Your Stress?

If you are wondering whether to talk about your mental health issues at work, this one is for you

Why Does Your EAP Have Low Utilisation Rates?

People are often reluctant to engage with employee assistance programmes at work. Here’s why.

Grief in the Workplace: Impact and How to Cope

Grief is a heavy emotion and not many people know what to do about it, especially in the workplace. Here are a few ways for you to cope while grieving.

How To Care For a Partner With a Mood Disorder

You can't pour from an empty cup. Here are some tips and strategies to take care of yourself and your partner.

Can You Use Food to Fight Stress?

The right dietary habits can do wonders to control the damaging effects of stress on your mind and body

How to Stem High Employee Turnover

High attrition is a major problem for employers today. But it’s important to look inwards and identify the areas where you can do better to retain people.

Are You in a Mid-Career Slump? Here’s How to Overcome It With the Right Mindset and Tools

A mid-career slump can affect anyone, but there are ways you can overcome it to have a fulfilling career again!

Why It’s Unhealthy to Compare Yourself With Your Colleagues

Constant comparisons at work can kill your creativity and potential besides affecting your mental health

Ten Tips To Stay Mentally And Emotionally Healthy

Taking care of your mental health is as essential as staying physically fit

Why Even Senior Leaders Can Use Mentors

A good mentor can shorten the learning curve and prevent the leader from making costly mistakes

Sexual Harassment Of Women At The Workplace: Mental health Impact

The emotional impact of sexual harassment at the workplace can be damaging to the victim, and needs to be addressed in a more sensitive manner.

Physical Health Conditions That Can Mimic Depression

Signs of depression can also be seen in some physical health conditions.

5 Productivity-Killing Habits Leaders Must Stay Wary Of

Are any of these habits holding you back from being at your professional best?

Are You Addicted to Work? Here Are Some Tell-Tale Signs.

Far from being a matter of pride, addiction to work can take a toll on your health, relationships, and personal growth

The Many Advantages of Cross-functional Teams in the Workplace

Read on to know how cross-functional training is a valuable tool for business performance as well as employee engagement

Understanding Social Anxiety Disorder

Your common questions, answered

How to Make Change Less Stressful for Employees

Significant organisational changes can have implications for employee wellbeing. Here are some ways to prevent the stress from overwhelming your people.

Unpacking Insomnia

Your questions about insomnia, answered.

How Educators Can Steer Clear of ‘Stigmatising Language’

No teacher wants to hurt their students. But when you’re a role model, a single inattentive word or deed might end up causing immeasurable harm to your students’ mental health.

Getting Over An Alcohol Addiction

What makes a person heavily dependent on alcohol? Once addicted, what can the person do to create a new, clean lifestyle?

How to Support Your Employees Through Financial Stress

Financial worries are a contributor to mental health problems in many households. Here’s how your organisation can help employees undergoing financial stress.

Why Leaders Should Embrace Vulnerability

Demonstrating vulnerability can be scary for those in positions of authority. However, it can also be an emotionally freeing experience

How to Lead Your Ex-Peers as Their Boss

Being promoted to a leadership role can change your equation with your former peers. Here’s what you can do to make it a smooth transition.

Hooked To Your Phone Or Computer? It May Be More Serious Than You Think

Technology addiction is emerging as a serious issue among teenagers and young adults.

How to Stay Calm Through Pre-Meeting Jitters!

Speaking in front of large groups can be stressful. We give you some tips to manage this anxiety before, during, and after meetings.

Self-care Tips for Shift Workers

Over time, working late shifts can affect your physical and mental wellbeing, if you don’t take the proper precautions. Here are some tips to safeguard your health.

All About Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Answers to some of the most common questions about OCD - from causes and symptoms to treatment and care.

How Women Leaders Can Manage their Mental Health Better

Leaders undergo immense stress at work, and for women this pressure can be higher. Here are some mental health tips that may help.

How HR Teams Can Win a Seat at the Decision-Making Table

Tips for HR teams to emphatically communicate their worth and claim their rightful place on decision-making platforms.

When stress becomes a way of life

Our natural stress response cycle breaks when we experience chronic stress.

Bouncing Back from Campus Recruitment Rejection

Lack of success at campus placement interviews can give rise to many negative emotions. Here are some mental health tips for students to use the experience as a stepping stone.

Are You Getting the Expected Returns on Your Employee Assistance Programme?

Asking these pointed questions will help you evaluate whether your EAP is working for you

Anxious about your appraisal conversation? You can now prepare for it

If you find your annual appraisal conversation stressful, a bit of preparation and awareness can help you manage it better.

The Underrated Role of Sleep in Wellbeing, and Tips To Sleep Better

Everyone sleeps, but not everyone sleeps well.

How Parents with Mental Illnesses Can Raise Healthy, Happy Children

Use these tips to create a healthy and positive environment at home.

Check Out Manah’s July Blog Round-up!

A look at all the stories we published in the month of July 2022.

Tips for caregivers

Here are some suggestions that experts ask caregivers to follow

Time-Saving Health and Wellness Hacks for Busy Corporate Workers

Starting a healthier lifestyle doesn’t have to be intimidating! Use these hacks to kickstart your wellness journey today.

Going Beyond EAPs: How to Make a Holistic Shift Towards Employee Wellness

Use the following tips to build a comprehensive and responsive wellbeing programme that actually works.

How HR Can Weed Out Mental Health Problems in The Workplace

Use these tips to create a psychologically safe and supportive workplace

Why the Hybrid Work Model is a Win-Win for Employers and Employees

Hybrid workplaces might be the future of work. Here are some of the benefits of introducing a hybrid work policy at your organisation.

Your Common Queries about Sleep Disorders Answered

When it comes to health, one of the most common issues people face, apart from weight gain, is sleep loss. Studies indicate that people today are sleeping less than in the past. But what causes sleep disorders , and what can one do about them? In this FAQ, we cover everything

Addressing the Mental Health Challenges Women Face at Work

Mental health challenges can affect anyone, but there is a clear connection between gender and mental health in the workplace.

6 Things to Avoid Saying to Someone With a Mental Health Challenge

It’s often difficult to find the right words to say to a colleague or friend who’s struggling emotionally. But here are some (well-intentioned) cliches and homilies to steer clear of.

The Role of Mental Health Advocates in the Workplace

Find out how mental health advocates play a vital role in proactively identifying and addressing mental distress in the workplace

How Startup Founders Can Break Bad News to Their Teams

The slowdown and funding freeze has forced many startups to downsize or shelve their growth plans. As a founder, here’s how you can share bad news with your team.

Dos and Don’ts for Conducting Mental Health Awareness and Training Sessions at Work

Use these dos and don’ts to make your workplace mental health initiatives sticky’, meaningful, and successful.

Employee Satisfaction Surveys: Benefits and How to Get Them Right

Use these tips to create meaningful and action-oriented employee satisfaction surveys at your workplace

Beyond relocation: Being away from parents in college hostel was not easy for me

A youngster talks about his experience of migrating to study in Bangalore and coping with his illness and loneliness at the hostel

Understanding the Problems with Employee Assistance Programmes

When it comes to employee wellbeing, are EAPs a boon or bane? We help you decide!

Everything You Need to Know about Setting up Peer Support Groups at Work

It is difficult for individuals to deal with mental health challenges alone. But when people come together, real change can take place.

A Guide to Mindful Leadership and its Benefits

These mindfulness practices will take your focus and emotional health to the next level.

Coming Out vs Fitting In: Mental Health and the LGBT Person in India

By Mahesh Natarajan Gender and sexuality differences bring up questions that others may never face: What does one reveal about oneself to others? How much to disclose and to whom? How to look for relationships? Where does one meet others like oneself? How does one access health, education, employment? How

Student Mental Health: How to Spot the Signs of Distress

Worldwide, an alarming number of students and young adults suffer from mental health conditions or disorders. However, most of these issues go undiagnosed due to the stigma surrounding mental health issues and the lack of support available to students within educational campuses or at home. In order to provide timely

How to Ensure the Wellbeing of your Frontline Employees

Customer-facing jobs come with many mental health risks and challenges. Here are some workplace wellbeing tips for frontline workers that you can implement today

Manah Wellness Reviews 2022: Read What Clients Have to Say

For over two years now, Manah Wellness has been helping progressive organisations build a culture of wellbeing. With its expert team of mental health professionals, it is supporting thousands of corporate employees with its emotional health and wellbeing services. Having worked with companies across sectors, from insurance and healthcare to

Check Out Manah’s June Blog Round-up!

A look at all the stories we published in the month of June 2022.

How to Manage the Wellbeing Needs of Your Distributed Workforce

The modern workplace brings its own set of challenges for HR leaders. Here’s how to address the common wellbeing-related challenges that crop up with distributed and hybrid work setups.

Campus Mental Health: Creating a Supportive Environment for Students

Looking for ways to improve campus mental health and address depression, anxiety, and other issues faced by students? Here are some tips.

Subtle Signs That You May Have Anxiety

From digestive issues to a tendency to procrastinate, here are the less-obvious ways in which anxiety can manifest itself.

How HR Managers Can Protect Their Wellbeing in Stressful Times

Use these mental health and wellbeing tips to thrive even in stressful times

Why Teaching Students 'Intellectual Honesty' Can Make Them Mentally Healthier Adults

Education ought to be about teaching children to rely on their own minds to reason things out and form opinions. It starts with emphasis on intellectual honesty from the beginning of their lives.

A Guide for Setting Up Your Company’s Employee Volunteering Programme

Volunteering programmes are a great way to get your staff involved in worthy causes and also give them a deeper sense of purpose

The Importance Of Life Skills For Adolescents

Adolescents require a combination of cognitive and social skills to tackle their problems, and prepare for future challenges

How to Help Your Adolescent Child Develop a Positive Body Image

How to create a positive body image

How to Create a Great Employee Handbook

An HR managers’ guide to creating a robust employee handbook, with samples and best practices included.

A Guide to Calm, Mindful Leadership

Learn the powerful secrets of mentally calm leadership.

7 HR Trends Worth Watching and Implementing in 2022

7 trends in the HR industry worth watching and implementing in 2022. Manah Wellness brings you the HR trends that are shaping workspaces in 2022.

How To Talk To Your Child About Mental Illness: With Age-Specific Pointers

A guide for parents to help their children become more aware of mental illness with easily understandable scientific advice and strategies.

How to Build a Great Team at Work in 2022: 10 Tips and Ideas

Expert tips to build a great team. 12 ideas and tips to create a strong team at work for success and business growth.

How to Introduce a ‘Gratefulness Culture’ in Your Company

Mentally healthy workplaces are quick to acknowledge meaningful contributions from people. Here are some tips to make gratitude a part of your workplace culture.

‘The Big Quit’- Why It’s Happening and What Employers Should Do

How to retain your high-performing employees in times of high attrition.

Depression and Anxiety in Children and Adolescents

Anxiety and depression are common mental health problems among children too

8 Fun Ways and Ideas to Boost Morale at Work in 2022

Fun ways to boost employees' morale and engagement at the workplace. Manah Wellness shares creative ideas to improve morale in the workspace.

Tips to Manage Your Mental Health as a Single, Working Parent

Stress is a constant part of many single parents’ lives, especially those with demanding jobs. Use these tips to safeguard your mental wellbeing.

Resilience in the Workplace: A Mental Strength Guide

Learn how to build resilience at the workplace. Use these expert tips and ideas for building employee and team resilience in the workplace.

Check Out Manah’s May Blog Round-up!

A quick glance at all the stories we published during the month of May.

10 Tips for New Managers to Make a Great Impression

Becoming a manager for the first time is a great feeling. Here are some tips to make a great impression with your team and organisation.

Parents and Teachers Should Collaborate to Help a Child with a Learning Difficulty

Effective parent - teacher communication is key to helping children who struggle in school.

Parental Neglect and its Effect

How parental neglect can affect your child

Tips to Build an Effective Workplace Safety Training Programme

Healthy and safe workplaces promote employee wellbeing. Follow these tips to start building your company’s safety training programme.

Dealing with Microaggressions in the Workplace

Microaggressions at work are more common than we think. Here’s a guide to identifying and addressing mini acts of workplace microaggression.

How to Overcome Awkwardness and Talk about Mental Health

If the thought of reaching out to someone scares you, here’s what to do.

Is Someone You Know Being Bullied at Work?

It is important to recognise the signs of bullying at the workplace to aid in prevention, and early intervention

7 Post Pandemic Workplace Trends That Will Shape the Way We Work

Manah Wellness brings you some key workplace trends for 2022.

A Leaders’ Guide to Preventing Groupthink and Cultivating a Diversity of Opinions

Groupthink differs from group culture and results in suppressed opinions, poor decisions, and a lack of innovation. Learn how to combat groupthink as a leader.

10 Ideas to Improve the Health and Wellness of Your Employees

Discover the best ways to promote health and wellness among employees with these expert tips on improving productivity, engagement, and wellbeing at the workplace.

Emotional Cues to Look For When Hiring an Employee

Smart employers look for more than a great resume; they look at emotional intelligence. Here are 11 cues you should be looking at when interviewing a candidate.

What is ‘Pandemic Brain’ and How Has it Affected Workers?

Learn about ‘pandemic brain’ and its impact on corporate workers. Manah discusses how the pandemic brain is affecting the mental and physical health of employees.

Managing Introverted and Shy Employees at the Workplace

Leaders sometimes have the wrong idea about managing introverted employees. Here’s what you should know about dealing with introverts in the workplace.

The Top Physical Symptoms of Work Stress and How to Deal with Them

Work Stress: Causes, Physical Symptoms and Management

How to Stop Using Alcohol to Deal with Work Pressure

Stress is a regular part of any work environment. However, reaching for alcohol is not the way to tackle stress. Read on to find out how to manage this problem.

Tips To Avoid Distractions at Work and Stay Focused on "The Moment"

Looking for ways to stay focused on avoid distractions and get stuff done at work? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

A Guide to Improving Employee Satisfaction in 2022

Learning how to improve employee satisfaction is crucial in a time when workers are quitting more than ever before. Let’s see some great ways to do that

How to Get Employees to Participate in Wellbeing Initiatives

Low participation and utilisation is the bane of workplace wellbeing initiatives. Use these strategies to fix this problem for good.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Tips for Employees: Self Care Hacks

Are the daily stresses of work wearing you down? Follow these mental health self-care tips to bounce back!

How to Encourage Your Team to Stay Healthy through Another Grueling Summer

Summer can be an energy drain for busy office workers. Here are some workplace wellness tips for summer that you can share with your colleagues.

How to be a Good Mentor at Work

Are you looking for ways to be a good mentor to someone at work? Here are some easy stepwise tips to follow.

Check Out Manah’s April Blog Round-up!

A compilation of all the workplace wellbeing content you enjoyed in the past month.

Tips For Working Moms to Have Better Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance may seem a distant dream for many working moms. Here are some tips that may help!

How to Lead in the Age of Employee Activism

Responding to employee activism at the workplace is not an easy task for any business leader. Here are some ideas on how to avoid common leadership pitfalls.

How to Deal with a Professional Setback

Dealing with setbacks at work can be one of the most difficult things to experience and can also have a negative effect on personal and professional life.

10 Personal Productivity Hacks for Busy Office Workers

Taking a strategic view of your productivity can help you get more done. Get started by implementing these simple productivity hacks.

Why Being Polite in the Workplace is Underrated (and Misunderstood)

We'd like to think that efficiency is more important than politeness, but the fact is that this lost art should be trending now more than ever.

How to Run a Successful Anti-Addiction Campaign at Your Workplace

Employers need to acknowledge addiction as a workplace health risk and support employees dealing with it. Here’s a guide.

Why Employees Resign, and Retention Tips To Hold Them Back

High staff turnover is a major cost for organisations and can also lead to continuity and motivation issues for those staying back. Use these tips to stem employee resignations and hold back your valued employees.

Simple Steps to Find Purpose In Your Existing Job

Finding your purpose at work makes you more committed and excited and improves your performance. Learn how you can find purpose in your current job.

PTSD in the Workplace: How to Support Someone Dealing with It

Workplace PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder is lesser-known, but it does exist. Here’s how to recognise the symptoms of PTSD at work and support those in need.

Improve Your Workplace Culture With These 10 Tips and Ideas

The best ideas for improving workplace culture. Manah shares the 10 best tips for improving organisational work culture in companies.

Entrepreneur Mental Health: Tips and Advice for Startup Founders

Entrepreneurs are a highly stressed group. Here are some wellbeing tips for founders who are low on time for self-care.

Supporting Maternal Mental Health and Wellbeing

The Manah Wellness team recently underwent training on how to support pregnant women and new mothers in their emotional journey

10 Workplace Wellness and Fitness Competition Ideas For 2022

Workplace wellness challenges are all the rage. But if you’re wondering how to begin your first challenge, here are some ideas to get you started.

5 Principles of Providing Emotional First Aid at the Workplace

Follow these ‘emotional first aid’ principles to reach out to a distressed co-worker and sensitively guide him or her towards the appropriate channels for getting mental health support

How Entrepreneurs Can Identify And Overcome Anxiety: 10 Actionable Tips

Learn how to overcome anxiety and fear. Manah shares 10 practical tips for entrepreneurs to fight anxiety and improve mental health.

How to Groom Future Leaders for Your Organisation

Developing the next generation of leaders should be an ongoing activity. Here’s how to build a pipeline of capable leaders at your firm

10 Tips to Eliminate Workplace Misconduct

Workplace misconduct, if left unchecked, can cost organisations money and their reputation. Follow these strategies to prevent and address workplace misconduct

Check Out Manah’s March Blog Round-up!

A quick glance at all the stories we published during the month of March.

Improving Internal Communication at Workplace: A How-to Guide for Employers

Workplaces thrive on smooth and constant communication, and organisations that recognise this fact can break silo-isation and enable teams to work collaboratively and cohesively. Use these tips to improve internal communication at your business.

How to Address the Common Signs of Job Dissatisfaction among Employees

Here are the common symptoms and root causes of job dissatisfaction and some solutions for meaningfully addressing them to improve job satisfaction at your workplace.

How to Say Goodbye to an Employee Leaving the Company

When a valued employee decides to leave the organisation, it’s important for the manager and team to bid them farewell the right way. Here are some tips.

Should Your Company Offer ‘Unlimited Paid Time Off’ to Employees?

Here’s a look at the pros and cons of unlimited paid time off – one of the latest trends sweeping the modern workplace.

How to Replace Workplace Negativity with Positivity

Negativity can arise due to job dissatisfaction, a lack of appreciation, or simply basic indifference to your colleagues. Here are the common signs of workplace negativity and some ways to build a culture of positivity.

8 Workplace Wellness Initiatives You Can Launch in 2022: Download the Free Guide!

Download this free HR guide that will help you map out and plan your business's workplace wellbeing strategy for 2022.

Employee Retention Strategies to Lower Attrition in 2022

Tracking the workforce attrition rate is an important part of employee retention. However, ‘attrition’ is different from ‘turnover’, and companies need to learn the difference

Virtual Employee Engagement Activities and Ideas for 2022

Use these simple strategies to get your remote staff more mentally and emotionally connected to their work and workplace.

How to Track Employee Performance: An Expert HR Guide

Your organisation’s performance management system is closely linked to your employees’ satisfaction and engagement levels. Here’s how to get it right.

How to Build an Ethical Workplace

Strong ethics are key to becoming a profitable brand and sought-after employer. Read on to know how to drive home the importance of business ethics at your workplace.

Common Myths about Work-life Balance

The benefits of work-life balance are often extolled. However, the concept itself is quite subjective. Here are some of the common myths about work-life balance.

Workplace Bullying: Definition, Causes, and Remedies

Common reasons for workplace bullying, and how you can deal with it.

Check These Unconscious Biases to Become a More Efficient Decision-Maker

The decisions we take at work are often influenced by our perceptions of others and the world around us. Here’s how to take more mature decisions by eliminating unconscious bias in the workplace.

Check Out Manah’s February Blog Round-up!

A glimpse of our employee wellbeing content from the month of February.

Is a 4-day Workweek Good for Employee Wellbeing?

The 4-day workweek could, one day, become a common standard within different industries and countries. But how would it impact employee wellbeing and productivity?

The Top 10 Signs of Bad Managers

Being a bad manager isn’t ONLY about being temperamental or a bully. Here are 10 signs that betray bad managerial qualities.

Performance Anxiety at Work: Meaning, Causes and Treatments

Here’s how you can deal with performance anxiety at work by understanding the triggers and responding appropriately.

Workplace Violence and How to Prevent It

Violence at the workplace can take many forms: bullying, harassment, theft, or abuse. Here’s how to identify, prevent, and mitigate workplace violence at all levels.

11 People Management Skills Every Manager Should Master in 2022

Make the transition from manager to leader by cultivating people management skills related to communication, patience, trust, respect, openness to feedback, and more.

Manah Team Completes Gatekeeper Training for Suicide Prevention

Gatekeepers play a valuable role in preventing deaths by suicides by providing timely and appropriate counsel and action.

Self-compassion: Basics and Best Practices

Most of us believe in being kind to others. Why, then, are we so critical of ourselves? Here are the advantages of practicing self-compassion.

Mastery and autonomy: A Beginner’s Guide

Having the independence to live according to your own standards is associated with greater happiness, emotional wellbeing, and overall life satisfaction. Here’s how to achieve greater mastery and autonomy in your life.

Wellbeing: Basics and Best Practices

Use this simple, actionable guide to find out your current state of wellbeing and be at your best every day.

Stress: Beginner’s Guide and FAQs

Sustained stress over a prolonged period of time can lead to various health issues and psychological disorders. Here are some easy ways to manage stress in your life.

Mindfulness: Myths, FAQs, and more

Read on to find out how mindfulness reduces stress, improves clarity and memory, and has all-round benefits for your health and relationships

Mental Balance: Aspects, Barriers, and More

Just as balance is vital in other aspects of wellbeing – like our diets, our work, and our relationships – mental balance is also a key determinant of our wellbeing

Happiness: A Quick How-to Guide

Check out this easy guide on how to invite genuine and lasting happiness into your life.

10 In-Office Games for Team Building

Team-building can be easy if you know how to go about it. One way is to create in-office games that everyone can participate in.

How to Keep Your Employees Happy and Engaged: Detailed Guide

Studies show that engaged employees tend to be more productive and loyal and go the extra mile for their employers. Here’s a simple guide to improve the engagement levels of your workforce.

10 Work-Life Balance Tips Managers Can Use to Improve Their Mental Health

Use these simple tips to maximise your me-time as well as your peace of mind!

What is Quality in Mental Healthcare?

Organisations are becoming more quality-conscious about the mental healthcare services they pay for. Here’s how Manah Wellness has kept quality at the forefront of its services from day one by ensuring dignity, confidentiality and accessibility at every step.

10 Ideas to Promote Safety in the Workplace

The pandemic has made physical safety our number one priority at work, but many other threats are less evident. Here are some tips you can follow to improve the physical and emotional safety of your workplace.

How to Find the Right Mentor and Work With Them for Best Results

Always wanted a mentor but didn’t know where to start? Here’s an easy guide to find and retain a mentor who can help you achieve your professional growth goals.

Free Office Reopening Checklist for HR Managers: Download Now

Download a free office reopening checklist that covers everything you should know before getting your colleagues back to work. Exclusively curated by Manah Wellness.

How to Give Feedback to Employees for Triggering Change

Managers are required to give their teams feedback. But in order to work, feedback might be consistent, considerate and forward-looking. Here are some tips to keep in mind.

Manah Wellness Trains 100 Wellbeing Ambassadors and Champions to Support Workplace Mental Health

The 100 Wellbeing Ambassadors and Champions have been trained for Manah Wellness’s clients across India and Southeast Asia.

How to Build a Positive Workplace Culture

A culture of positivity at the workplace fosters an environment of empathy, collaboration and creativity. The driving force behind it is putting your employees first!

The Dangers of Hustle Culture for Workplace Health

Hustle culture is a creeping danger to workplace wellbeing. Here are some tips to help employees and leaders identify whether they are becoming victims of toxic hustle culture.

How to Improve Teamwork at the Workplace: 2022 Guide

Strong teamwork skills are essential for organisations to ensure high productivity, engagement and loyalty. Here’s an easy guide to get your team on the same page in 2022.

9 Employee Motivation Strategies and Rewards to Win 2022

High levels of employee motivation result in more creative and productive teams. Here are some strategies managers can use to keep team morale high in 2022.

How Would You Rate Your Workplace Negotiation Skills?

Regardless of your title or role, having strong workplace negotiation skills can come in handy. Read on for some pointers.

Signs Your Future Employer May Have a Toxic Workplace

Watch out for these warning signs during the interview process to avoid inadvertently becoming part of a toxic work environment.

Why Good Leaders Take Good Care of Themselves

These emotional and physical wellbeing tips for leaders will help them function at their optimal best by transforming their self-care routine.

Warning Signs of Poor Mental Health and What to Do About Them

Use these simple and effective techniques to take better care of your mental health.

5 Simple but Relaxing Hobbies for Remote Workers

Try out some of these hobbies to banish the work-from-home blues and feel healthier, happier, and more creative.

How To Prevent Work Stress From Affecting Your Family and Relationships

Try out these work stress management tips for better work-life balance.

Should you disclose your mental health issues to your employer?

The content of our thoughts and the working of our minds are our deepest secrets. But what if a health condition or illness impacts your productivity, focus levels or relationships at work? In that case, speaking to a boss or colleague might be the best thing to do. Just keep

7 Tips for Implementing Your Corporate Wellbeing Strategy

Use these tips to design and implement the optimal workplace wellbeing strategy.

“The Pandemic Is an Opportunity to Be a More Humane Leader”

In conversation with Mohana MD, Head HR, Standard Chartered Bangalore Hub, GBS

Social, Mental, and Emotional Skills that Make You Indispensable to Your Employer

Emotional skills are critical if you want to stay productive in today's fast-paced workplace.

Self-care Lessons from the World’s Top CEOs

Learn the secrets that help top leaders solve problems and increase their focus.

Budget-friendly Ways to Invest in Your Team’s Health

Implementing workplace health initiatives does not always require deep pockets. Here are some ways to fix work culture and improve team health and wellbeing on a limited budget.

Virtual Onboarding Best Practices to Make New Hires Feel Welcome

Use these virtual onboarding tips and ideas to absorb your new remotely-located employees seamlessly and efficiently.

How to Unlock the Benefits of Mindfulness at Work

Get more work done and tap into your energy and efficiency reserves with these mindfulness and meditation techniques.

Dealing With an Emotional Breakdown at Work

How to identify the signs of a breakdown, and what to do about it

The 15 Qualities Of Good Managers

These skill-sets are important for leaders in any domain or sphere of life.

10 Fun Employee Engagement Activities and Ideas: 2022 Edition

Do you want to transform the work culture of your organisation in 2022? We bring you ten fun and interesting ways to do just that.

Leadership and the Art of Dealing With Stress

Being a leader is tough. Here are some strategies to manage stress.

How to Improve Team Morale and Bonding in the Hybrid Workplace

Strategies to improve workplace connection, engagement, loyalty, and collaboration among your distributed employees.

5 Things to Keep in Mind as Companies Get Back to Office

Here are some post-COVID-19 office reopening guidelines and tips to keep in mind as your organisation transitions back to a physical or hybrid workplace.

Simple and Effective Yoga Poses You Can Do at Your Desk

Beat stress and burnout with these highly effective desk yoga poses for office workers and students that combine exercise, breathing, and meditation techniques.

4 Tips to Improve your Communication Game at Work

Facing difficulty communicating at work? Here are some tips for you.

Workplace Stress and Depression: Signs, Causes, and Management

A guide to how workplace stress starts and builds up, and how you can address it before it get worse.

The Importance of Psychological Safety at Work

When organisations allow employees to bring their real selves to work every day, it improves productivity, creativity, and workplace culture and mental health, among other benefits.

The Definitive Guide to Employee Wellbeing

Dos And Don’ts for Dealing with a Colleague With a Mental Health Condition

Offering understanding, flexibility, and support can go a long way in helping the person effectively manage or even overcome their mental health issue.

How to Send the Right Workplace Wellness Message to Your Team

Hint: be approachable, listen closely, communicate clearly.

4 Signs of Deteriorating Mental Health in Your Employees and Teams

Want to help your employees? Look out for these signs.

How to Handle the Emotional Fallout of a Failed or Failing Venture

'Bouncing back' is easier said than done. Here's what to do.

How To Practice Kindness at Work

The Three Tenets of Kindness at Work

How to Prevent Work Disagreements from Turning into Conflicts

We walk you through some conflict management techniques that will help you as a leader or manager.

The Subtle Ways in Which Work-From-Home Culture Can Drain Your Emotional Health

Is your emotional health deteriorating due to work-from-home culture? Here are some suggestions to keep tabs on your emotional health.

A Great Pre-work Morning Routine to Kickstart Your Day

Many of us take our morning routine for granted. We wake up filled with boundless reserves of energy and positivity. But then, we pick up our smartphones and slide down some or the other rabbit hole, swiping and scrolling away the precious minutes that follow. Ultimately, you end up running

Experts and Influencers On How Mental Healthcare Access in India Can Become Fairer

Mental healthcare in India is broken. Here are some ideas that could fix it

The Importance of Humane Leadership in the Post-COVID Workplace

On World Mental Health Day, October 10, 2021, Manah Wellness is bringing together experts to discuss how inequalities in mental healthcare access can be corrected. Register for the free event here: http://www.manahwellness.com/wmhd [http://www.manahwellness.com/wmhd?fbclid=IwAR0TlAY--K1UbE0Jr4uPx8nS4ms7_OrMxiQ_OyaitimS9yugbiFt0vyVPAo] The need for humane leadership

Why do Minorities Experience Higher Stress at Work?

Many employers pride themselves on their commitment to diversity and inclusion. But workplaces are run by humans, not robots. It can be hard to prevent majoritarian attitudes and biases towards women, religious minorities, scheduled castes, LGBTQ+ individuals, or disabled people from spilling over into common workspaces. Such biases - also

Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic for Leaders

The COVID 19 pandemic was a wake-up call for leaders. Here are some key lessons from the COVID 19 pandemic that you need to take note of.

Productivity Tips and Hacks for Working Effectively from Home

The tools and techniques for enhancing work from home productivity have never been discussed as widely as they are today. Mandatory work-from-home rules have introduced us to all kinds of distractions and concentration-sappers. From sore backs caused by uncomfortable chairs to the constant seduction of Netflix, we’re surrounded by

Combating Anxieties over the Newly-Reopened Workplace

Office re-openings might stoke anxiety in employees returning to the office, as they contemplate the risks of using public transport and sharing desks, canteens or restrooms with other workers. Here’s how employers can allay those fears and help people transition safely back to work.

Bicycling: On Tomorrows

A purple ribbon fell to the ground. I watched a child topple over from their tricycle. Before I could reach out, their parent walked over to help them get off the ground. The child began looking at their bruised elbows, dejected. One of the wheels of the tricycle spun to

Rewriting our headlines

I have observed that a warm drink and the newspaper is a morning ritual in many households. I skim through the headlines as reading on my phone has grown on me. Last year's headlines could not have been imagined. As these papers are archived, I wonder how the

Being Enough

I look around me as the team goes over their introductions. I begin to notice institutes, grades, internships, faces, and the people fade into the background. I check in with myself to understand the way I feel. I notice a sense of enough-hood crop up. Enough-hood, I think about the

Nightmares

Do you have nightmares? I am not talking about dreams, a nightmare is the evil twin that wakes you up at 3 am. Dreams are usually pleasant, even silly on some occasions. Nightmares make kids scream, and adults weep. I have had nightmares since I was a little kid. It

Inward Love: A to-do list trick

Square boxes and a task listed on its side. I look down at my phone and brace myself for the day that follows. I hold a gentle space for how I feel overwhelmed at the tasks ahead. I try to invite curiosity for today, curiosity allows me to feel the

Band Aid

Joe washed the onions and started chopping them at his usual rapid pace. He kept stealing glances at the TV in the corner. Chef Marco was explaining what went into making a delectable stew. Joe wanted to make sure everything tasted perfect, these were important guests after all. The phone

On Teachers and Mentors: Beyond the Classroom

Teacher's Day, a reminder blinks on my phone. I spend a few moments reflecting on how we would celebrate our teachers in school, with acts of gratitude. We curated plays, poems and worked on handmade cards. The essence being, 'Thank you for this, this classroom and all

Loving: In Simple Recognition

The most moving message I have received from someone reads, "Thank you for existing. Sending you love today." I noticed how I am mindful of expressing gratitude when I receive acts of love and kindness. This message stunned in its simple expression of "I love you for

Growth requires Stillness

I carefully place seeds in a pot of soil, leaving it by the window sill. I look at the pot for the days that follow and notice how I can only see earthy soil. No visible signs of growth or sprouting. I recall vividly how my 6th-grade science teacher spoke

Kites: Shaking and Vulnerability

She pulled at the kite, shook it, and then leaned back. The kite sprawled out against the cottony sky fluttered in the wind and found a smooth breeze to sail on. I write this piece as I look through my journals describing a mental picture of a teenager flying kites

Whole Days

Antara: Have a nice day, Eli! E: Have a day, A! A chuckles. A: An odd way to phrase it, don’t you think E? E: Maybe I want you to be okay with your day, even if it isn’t as ‘nice’? A: That’s an interesting proposition. E:

If it ain't broke....

Joe walked into the bar and headed to the cashier. Only two tables were occupied. A month ago, by this time, the place would be full. John was waiting for him near the cashier desk. John-“You are late, and your restaurant is empty, care to explain?” Joe-“I have

Don't Clip My Wings

To clip one’s wings means restricting one’s freedom, power, or full potential. A reference to the practice of clipping a bird’s wings to prevent it from flying. It’s unfortunate that more often than not, the people who are closest to us are the ones who end

Kinder Conversations with our Bodies

Cara asks her Dad. C: Would you be thin, if you could, Dad? C gently nudges at his belly. D looks at his toddler and wonders how to approach this conversation. D: Do you like your body, C? C looks down at her clothes. C looks up at Dad: I

Take Me To Church

Do you believe in God? Do you believe there is a supreme entity at the center of the universe that connects everything? Irrespective of what your answer and beliefs are, the impact that religion and spirituality have on our day to day lives can’t be overlooked. Religion and science

Plant Parenting: Communities Matter

Yellowing leaves are not a great sign, I was never great with plants and an honest confession to the internet will not change that, unfortunately. I look at my plants on the window sill and my heart goes out to them. I named them, I tried to nourish them, rattled

Lemon Juice: On Loving

A jug full of lemon juice. I grew up being greeted with lemon juice after hot school days. Pondicherry, a coastal town made for unusually warm summers and winter days were lukewarm. I always looked at the jug on the table and wondered how much was left, how many glasses

Meeting Ourselves: How do I feel now?

I begin this by acknowledging that all of us may share a different relationship with yoga or any form of exercise. Our bodies may allow for a certain range of movement, and we are allowed to respect, offer kindness to our bodies, in all their capacities. I am acutely aware

On Groups: Valuing Ourselves

For those of us who watched movies set in schools and colleges, we learnt of groups and the cliches that come with them, early on. A group sometimes has a shared identity. It could be their interest in sports, environment, policy, or any niche that presents itself. I think about

Bodies: Through the Other

“This does not fit!” I gasp in horror at how clothes that perfectly fit a few months, seem to have shrunk. ‘Shrunk’, I wrap my arms over my body and wonder. I found myself reluctantly trying on a larger one and my face contorted with worry. I wonder how I

Sour Grapes

I remember reading this story about a fox who tries to eat grapes from a vine but can’t reach them. He walks away, proclaiming that ‘the grapes are sour’. The moral of the story is that we often hate what we can’t have. Foxes are supposed to be

Conversations through Masks

Muffled words echo through them. I try to listen, and politely ask them to repeat themselves a little louder. A few years ago, if you had told me I would have to listen to people wearing masks throughout the day, I would have laughed. I recall working with mice at

Occam's Razor

Occam’s Razor- An injunction not to make more assumptions than you absolutely need/ the simplest explanation is usually the best one. Joe works as an accountant with an MNC. For the last six months, maintaining a healthy work/life balance has become a difficult affair for him. As a

Homes: Piecing Together Parts

Hostel rooms, dorms, paying guest accommodations, elicit an odd sense of nostalgia. Having walked into, stayed with, spent months in and been invited to all of these places, I am struck at how each room or flat I walk into is nothing like another. The room with posters, walls with

Intersectionality: We Are Many

White sheet of paper, I sit down and look at it. I begin to think about how so much of life is constructed and sometimes, shaped out by my identity. Parts of my identity, I had the privilege to construct, to choose and parts were lent to me. I draw

Four Simple and Effective Wellbeing Initiatives for Employees Any Company Can Adopt

Last week, we worked with the leadership of FMC (APAC Region) [https://www.fmc.com/en] to curate a conversation around emotional health at workplace and how leaders can build emotionally healthy workplaces. [https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ashwinnaik_emotionalwellbeing-workplace-mentalhealth-activity-6829315403123044352-6Px1] FMC is an agricultural sciences company with operations in over

Physical Health versus Mental Health

‘A stitch in time saves nine’. It has taken some decades for people to let this wisdom sink as far as their health is concerned. Till 1960s and 70s, fitness was not a popular and common term. Having a healthy weight, a functioning life with no ailment was a matter

Hakuna Matata

Hakuna Matata is a phrase in Swahili.  It literally translates to ‘no worries’ or ‘there are no troubles’. Timon and Pumba are two characters in the Disney epic, The Lion King. They have adopted this phrase as their life philosophy and are not concerned with anything that’s happening around

Sherbet Lemon

How many meals do you have in a day? 2, 3, 4? All of that’s normal. Some people even have 5 meals in a day. As long as you are doing some physical activity and your calorie count doesn’t exceed requisite level, you’ll be healthy. But what

Reality vs Wonderland

“Imagination is the only weapon in the war against reality” -The Mad Hatter (Alice in Wonderland) While I was growing up, I didn’t like my reality. So I opted to stay in a wonderland of my own creation. My musings distracted me from all that was going on around

Memory

The average human mind has the capacity to store up to 2.5 million GB of data. The irony is that more often than not it chooses to save embarrassing moments where we are making a fool of ourselves. The lecture you attended gets deleted and the incident outside of

Paths and Possibilities

People in rectangles. A newlywed couple, baby wraps, first days at school, defending a Ph.D. thesis, cooking a meal for the first time, vehicle’s birthday, a cat snuggled up, aging parents in the glow of their anniversary cake, celebrating oneself, a day off, an after-therapy selfie, the view

The Light Bulb Moments

It was the time of 'Month End' and all the cubicles in the Finance Centre were buzzing with activity.  We were just a couple of months into managing the financial process on our own, post the transition to our Center. The Month End close would determine how we

Fitness; a lifestyle

''Do your squats!" "Run those miles" "Lift that weight" ‌‌Yeah, that's some workout hype right there. Its definitely cool and exciting to have these fitness victories. What's more? Fitness isn't limited to great shape, instead its how

The Devil's Workshop

You must have heard the phrase- ‘An empty mind is the devil’s workshop’. While I was growing up, my mother used this phrase a lot. She didn’t like the fact that I had little interest in academics and would try to keep me busy with activities. Over time,

Compassion over Comprehension

“I don’t understand why.” I find this line running through my head. As I type this, I wonder if you have had thoughts on similar lines before. You find yourself wondering “Why would they do/believe in that? Why do they choose to be in a certain way?”, I

Joy Minus Validation

Wildly moving my limbs, I try to follow a dance workout routine. I allow myself to admit that I will never be someone who dances at a party nor will I receive compliments for how amazingly beautiful that routine was. I chuckle, as I type this. Do you find yourself

An Allowance: 'I don't know'

Blank space, I am trying to find the right words. The ‘right words’, I wonder. I listen to someone describe a rough day. I pause, I want to let them know they’ll get through this and it will be okay. How do I do this? I think about how

Deep Listening

The voices are loud. Whose voices? My own. I go over my mistakes, I try to hold my stance. I can hear a friend defending their position. We're at an impasse, disagreement of sorts. And so it continues, sentences volleyed back and forth. Some sentences are accusatory, some

A Table: On Safe Spaces

D’s daughter, H came home unusually quiet. H was out cycling with her friends, D noticed H fidgeting with her toys. D began to play with H, and H happily chose to engage. D chose to talk to H over dinner, a time where H is receptive to conversation.

Knowing Fear Intimately

Blue shimmery rectangles of water. Pools frightened B, sprinklers did too. 7-year old B, wears a pink polka-dotted swimsuit and walked to the steps of the swimming pool. B tries to ignore her mother in the stands. A kind woman approaches B from the water and holds her hands out.

The Price is Right

I know most of the people reading this article are either mental health professionals or students. But in case you are neither, let me ask you a question. How much do you think a trip to the therapist costs? If you know the answer, good for you. If you don’

NO COMPLAINT DAY

‘NO COMPLAINT DAY’ a practice I got introduced to during the personal development coaching was an experience worth reckoning. ‘ No complaint’ meant REFRAINING from making a statement that something was not satisfactory or could not be accepted. The challenge was to earmark a day when we would NOT pick on

All Eyes On Me

You walk into a room and everybody starts staring at you. You try to find a reflective surface so that you can check whether you look okay. You can hear them murmuring amongst themselves and are sure that somebody just said your name. You can feel them looking at you

Connecting with a Larger purpose

A friend of mine sent a story a few days ago. Something about this intrigued me. A king had a huge army that consisted of men, horses, and elephants. A particular elephant was his favorite. It was his trained accomplice in the war field. It complimented the King’s valor

Routine

I wake up in the morning on rare occasions . I believe my job has been responsible for this to a great extent as I have mostly done the same shift (Afternoon) over and over again. By the time I wake up, half the day is over and whatever is left

Self Help

Have you ever read a self-help book in your life? You know, the kind of books which claim that they will change your life and how you look at the world. By the time you are done reading the book you will be able to live your life the way

The Mindfulness Gap

Viktor Frankl, Nazi holocaust survivor, psychiatrist, philosopher, author and founder of logotherapy has said, “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” This space between stimulus and response that he talks

Pushing Back: Ball in a Pool

“I love the detailing on this, the colors blend so well. Wonderful illustration, D!” A graphic designer, she is listening to her mentor’s feedback on an illustration for a publication. D repeats the words to herself: “wonderful illustration, wonderful illustration, wonderful..” D stops mid-thought: “Was it really? The edges

To Strive or Not To Strive

Humor me; just Google “Strive for Perfection”. You will see one image that says Strive for Perfection in Everything You Do. Then there are articles that say Strive for Progress, Not for Perfection, or Strive for Excellence, Not for Perfection. And then there are articles on Why Striving For Perfection

Teams: On Learning through Relationships

“Groups of 4, please. I hope all of you have a wonderful time building this together!” I remember looking at the three strangers beside me. My earliest memory of working with a team was in elementary school, an exercise to create environment-friendly posters for Environment Day. As a young adult,

Sudoku: On Coping

My grandmother is amused that I would like to share an anecdote about her online, she laughed and agreed. I watch my grandmother solve the Sudoku, a habit she has resolved to commit to religiously over the years. She has watched the news for longer hours over the week. It

An Ode to a Chair: Accessing Emotions

I write this as I think about a chair. A chair, you ask. The chair, I reply definitively. Perhaps this chair was a corner of your bed, a designated space in your room. Spaces where you allow things to pile up, the stack of old clothes, a missing sock, books.

The F-Words in Anxiety

Caught your attention, didn’t I? Well, there is not one, but two F words in anxiety, just not the ones we’d like to utter. These are Fight and Flight. When we encounter potentially anxiety-inducing situations, the body rapidly goes through some changes that make us assess the situation

Pro at Procrastination

The irony of this article is that I wanted to write this sooner but I kept procrastinating. You may not find a bigger procrastinator than me. But here it is now. So, what is procrastination? Procrastination is the act of delaying something important and doing something else, which is not

Do I like this? Offering Kindness to Ourselves

I finish an assignment and wince at the screen of my laptop. Review content, formatting, word limit, references. I run through a mental checklist. 'Turn In', my work will now be graded by a Professor. "Will she approve of this?", comes to me with ease, I

Unveiling the inferences

My experience with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or OCD as it is commonly known gave me a totally different perspective on thoughts and feelings. Until then,  any thought that surfaced in my mind meant it was I who thought it- A deliberate action on my part. If I felt a feeling,

Inclusive Introductions

Can introductions create safer spaces? Let us reflect on F's story. F listened in to everyone introduce themselves, quietly nodding and acknowledging the wonderful team he was going to work with. It was F's turn to speak. "Hey everyone! I am F, my pronouns are

The Self: A Deeper Dive

‌‌I looked at an image in the mirror. It is a human figure of what I am seen as by the people around. But I walked a few steps closer, to the mirror and my self; and I asked: Who am I? ‌‌I like painting, I enjoy travelling, I also

The Hidden Pouch: Holding On

Mid-year cleaning. I find myself sitting amidst a room with books and surprisingly, bags. Laptop cases, old school bags, reusable jute bags, colorful cloth pieces. I hold an old backpack and open it to find notes that date back to a few years ago. I chuckle as I notice a

100 Days of Happiness

Years ago, there was a challenge on Twitter called 100 days of happiness. The objective was to click a picture of something that makes one happy for 100 days and tweet about it. I decided to take it up and started clicking pictures of things that made me happy. For

Packing Mindfulness into your Lunch

A deadline approaches, a new project, peers who are working to meet targets, a to-do list that looms over you, and a full calendar. You break for lunch. Walk over to your space for lunch and open up your packed lunch or set out your food in front of you.

Overwhelm and Focus

How often are we really present in what we are doing! Does family time go without checking notifications or responding to messages on phone? Does work move without getting caught up in surfing random websites? For that matter, does even checking an intended 5 minutes video go without hopping on

A Leaking Roof, Marathons, Exams, and Positive Affirmations

"I am the best” Vs “I can’t do this” “Today is going to be a good day” Vs “Today looks like a bad day” “I am my own superhero” Vs “I am useless” Spot poll - how many of us think that the statements on the right side

A Primer on Apologizing

How do we approach apologizing? We have all had to admit our shortcomings and hold space for another, too. Apologizing, on the contrary, does not create a binary of right and wrong, it fosters space for understanding. Perhaps, apologies can strengthen our relationships. V and R are friends. V forgets

The Secret Sauce

Often people feel that life has been unkind to them. In my profession, I come across loads of people who are not happy either with their spouses or with their jobs, or finances or kids or something else. They find something or the other to feel unhappy about, something or

Paramour

I have been in a relationship for over eleven years now. It started right about when I entered college. She tapped me on my shoulder and whispered in my ear sweet nothings about how I didn’t belong there. We hit it off instantly and she would be with me

Gratitude

What is Gratitude? Gratitude is commonly understood as being thankful for what we have, when others don't have it. That is to an extent correct, but it is not a complete definition. Like, if you're going through a tough time with an illness or a financial

Doubt

How many times a day do you doubt yourself? The answer can be anything on the scale of zero to all the time. How you answer this question says a lot about who you are as a person. Say zero, and you can be perceived as over confident. Say all

Motivation: Honoring how we feel

Motivational posters lettered as "Positive vibes only", "Work harder", “Just do it.” stifle how we may feel in the moment. When we hold back on how we truly feel, we tend to pile these feelings inside us. If you kept pushing paperwork to the edge of

EAP is dead. Reimagine emotional wellbeing at workplaces

EAP is dead. Working with over 50 companies as our partners, big and small, one thing is clear. Employee Assistance Programs are dying. What started as a great opportunity to support employee wellbeing has degenerated into bland, reactive service with low utilisation numbers across the world. The EAP model was

How to become a mental health champion in these tough times

When discussing mental health, our society often falls back on its favourite archetypes: the impoverished farmer, the dejected student, the troubled celebrity. However, the pandemic has demolished all these myths once and for all. Months after the UN predicted a long-term upsurge in mental health problems, reports indicate a rise

In the post-covid world, long term well-being depends on community mental health champions

India witnessed the biggest containment experiment in history when its 1.3 billion citizens battened down the hatches in an attempt to flatten the Covid curve. The lockdown may be ending in a few weeks but a new epidemic is emerging. According to a survey conducted by the Indian Psychiatry

4 Indicators to check if your mental health at the workplace initiative is working

What started out as “work from home” has slowly turned into “live at work”. With increasing work hours, lack of boundaries in personal and work spaces, uncertain future all have led to deteriorating mental health for employees. Recent reports suggest that 1 in 6 employees in the corporate world suffered