Blue Monday is here, marked as the third Monday of January, and one that unfortunately embodies a collective sense of low spirits. Originally coined as a marketing gimmick, Blue Monday has evolved into a day when the importance of mental health and self-care in the workplace comes sharply into focus.
Blue Monday is a result of a build-up of negative circumstances: post-Christmas lows, dark and cold winter days, potential financial strain, and the realisation that your New Year’s resolutions may have lost their sheen. For professionals in the membership association sphere, these circumstances can add up to exacerbate existing workplace stress, making it more important than ever to focus on self-care.
The pressure to meet deadlines and navigate challenges can be unrelenting. It’s vital to recognise that self-care isn’t something to be forgotten, but an imperative part of sustaining a productive and healthy work environment.
Mental Wellbeing and Productivity
As a fly on the wall, the link between mental health and work productivity is blatant – but it’s not always apparent when you’re the one who is struggling. An environment that promotes self-care tends to boost overall efficiency amongst its workers. Taking regular breaks and practising mindfulness will significantly impact an individual’s work output.
Stress Resilience
Those in the membership association arena will be no stranger to demanding deadlines and tough challenges. Building up resilience through stress-relieving processes can make a big difference to how individuals react in high pressure situations.
Fostering a Supportive Culture
An organisation that values self-care sends a message not only to those who work within it, but to those who are part of its membership. All individuals involved in the association should feel comfortable seeking help when needed and be encouraged to communicate openly.
Performance vs Burnout
Self-care isn’t just about short-term remedies but can actually help to sustain performance levels in the long term. It’s important to understand that consistently pushing yourself beyond your limits leads to burnout, which negatively impacts both you and the organisation.
On Blue Monday, professional membership associations have a unique opportunity to promote wellbeing. They have the ability to organise awareness workshops, offer a flexible approach to working and offer helpful resources to their members.
Blue Monday can serve as a catalyst for conversations and actions that promote self-care in the professional world. Lessons learnt can be upheld throughout the year to make for a healthier, happier, and more productive way of working.
Let us know in the comments how Blue Monday is having an impact on you or how you are planning to help your team!
