Mental stress is the stress and demands a person is exposed to at work that can affect their mental, emotional and social health. It can be caused by various factors, including high workloads, time pressure, conflicts, unclear work requirements, lack of support in the workplace, insufficient control over work tasks, role conflicts or uncertainty about the future. Mental stress can lead to stress, anxiety, depression, exhaustion, burnout and other mental health problems and have a negative impact on both individual performance and the working atmosphere.
Training programmes and workshops can also help to promote resilience and mindfulness by helping employees to cope better with stress and strain. Flexibilisation of working hours and the option of working from home can also have positive effects by improving the work-life balance and thus promoting mental health.
An integral part of the measures to reduce mental stress is also sensitising managers to this issue. They should be trained to recognise signs of overwork and psychological problems among their employees and to react appropriately. This not only contributes to the health and satisfaction of the workforce, but also to the long-term productivity and competitiveness of the company.
In addition, it is important to promote a culture of open communication in which employees feel safe to talk about their mental stress and seek support. This can be achieved through regular employee appraisals, anonymous surveys on the workplace situation and the establishment of counselling centres. The creation of relaxation rooms and break areas can also help employees to relax and regenerate during working hours.
Companies should also take care to set realistic targets and minimise overtime to avoid overworking employees. A good work-life balance is crucial for maintaining mental health and performance. In addition, workplace health promotion programmes that support regular physical activity and healthy eating can help to strengthen employees’ resilience and improve their overall quality of life.
