Having strong and supportive connections at work can help you stay safe from jealous colleagues and their dirty politics against you. Build trustworthy relationships with colleagues and seek mentors at the workplace, who can guide you on how to deal with jealousy at the workplace. This will also make it harder for jealous co-workers to target or isolate you. According to the American Psychological Association’s 2024 Work In America Survey American Psychological Association’s 2024 Work In America Survey, social support in the workplace is linked to reduced stress and increased job satisfaction by fostering psychological safety, belonging, and community among employees. When it comes to our health, it’s not just about what we feeed our body but also our mind that has a huge role on how one feels. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), roughly 60% of the global population is in work. As many of us spend a huge part of our lives at our workplace, the environment there has a direct impact on our overall well-being. While a positive environment only boosts our productivity and makes us feel happy and accomplished, “poor working environments – including discrimination and inequality, excessive workloads, low job control and job insecurity – pose a risk to mental health,” reads a statement on WHO’s website.
10 Simple things to do for your mental health every day
Creating a positive and welcoming environment at work is not just an employer’s task, but also the employees. As workers, how we show up, engage with others, and our interpersonal equations play a huge in our mental health and it also helps create a supportive culture for everyone.How to take care of your mental health at workBuilding healthy habits at work takes time, especially when it involves setting new boundaries. But small, consistent habits can help make a big difference. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), routines and boundaries help reduce burnout and stress. Here’s how to set better boundaries and take care of your mental health at work:1. Prioritise yourself and your well-being: Take regular breaks, get enough sleep, and maintain a balanced diet. These basics fuel both focus and resilience. It will also help you stay refreshed, feel energised, and be more focussed at work.2. Learn to say no when needed: Instead of overloading yourself by saying ‘yes’ to work, even when you don’t have the bandwidth to do so– learn to politely decline extra tasks. Protecting your energy helps you avoid burnout. 
3. Build connections with colleagues: Positive relationships can help reduce stress and improve job satisfaction.4. Set clear work-life boundaries: Finish your work on time when possible and avoid after-hours emails. This will help create proper work-life balance and improve your quality of life and overall happiness. Remember, there’s a life beyond the workplace too!5. Seek support when needed: If you feel overwhelmed by work, talk to a manager, HR, or use workplace resources to be more productive and reduce your stress.6. Create an end-of-day routine: While your professional growth depends on your 9-5 job, what you do between 5-9 plays an important role in your mental health, happiness, and overall well-being. Having a ritual, like shutting down your laptop or taking a walk, signals to your brain that work is now over. This helps you relax and have a life beyond work and colleagues.How to create a positive workplace environmentJust like every drop counts to create an ocean, at the workplace– everyone contributes to create the culture. And so, being mindful of how you show up daily helps create an environment where people feel valued and respected.Some practical steps include:1. Assume positive intent: Avoid making assumptions about colleagues’ behaviour.2. Stay professional: Don’t engage in gossip or negativity.3. Recognise and appreciate others: Even a simple acknowledgment of someone’s hard work goes a long way in creating positive work environments.4. Communicate openly but with respect: Speak clearly and respectfully, especially when giving feedback. Remember, being kind doesn’t cost a penny.5. Be reliable: Meet deadlines and respect colleagues’ time.6. Practive active listening: Avoid interrupting and show genuine interest in others’ perspectives.Avoid microaggressions at work: Here’s howFor the unversed, microaggressions are subtle comments or actions that can harm marginalised groups– whether intentionally or unintentionally. Even if unintentional, they can damage someone’s mental health.And so, to avoid them you can be mindful of the following steps:1. Examine your (subconscious) biases and educate yourself about different types of microaggressions. 2. Be empathetic when someone shares their experience— listen without getting defensive or judgmental. 3. Do not gossip about others at the workplace, especially when a co-worker or teammate shares something with you. This helps create trust and positive inter–personal relationships.4. Commit to learning so you don’t repeat harmful behaviour.What can employers do to promote better mental health at workEmployers play an important role in shaping workplace culture. So, here are some ways in which employers can help create a positive and happy work culture:1. Creating a supportive culture: Normalize conversations around mental health and celebrate achievements.2. Offering flexibility: Remote or hybrid work, where possible, helps employees manage personal and professional responsibilities.3. Clarifying job expectations: Prevent overload by keeping tasks realistic and roles clear.4. Establishing mental health policies: Ensure discrimination and harassment are dealt with immediately.5. Providing training: Teach managers to recognise burnout signs and encourage healthy boundaries.6. Offering support programs: Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) provide counseling, wellness initiatives, and crisis support.7. Empowering your employees: Whether it is by providing more support, in terms of man power, or giving them more authority as managers, this will help employees feel heard, seen, validated and appreciated at the workplace.How to find supportSometimes, despite best efforts, work pressures can feel overwhelming. If you’re struggling, speak openly with your manager about obstacles and possible accommodations then you can seek help by reaching out to the HR. You can also look up about your companies policies/ help for dealing with issues of mental health and burnout.Remember, our workplaces shape not just our careers but also our mental well-being. So, by prioritising healthy habits, fostering respect, and creating supportive cultures, both employers and employees can contribute to a positive work environment.Every small step—from listening to colleagues to recognising achievements—adds up. Ultimately, how we show up every day helps build workplaces where everyone can thrive.