M
ental
health
refers
to our emotional, psychological and social wellbeing and
influences our thoughts, perceptions and behaviours. Mental health is defined by the NHS in the UK as “a positive state of mind and body, feeling safe and able to cope, with a sense of connection with people, communities and the wider environment”. Having a sense of purpose and undertaking meaningful activity underpins mental wellbeing. There is much information
available on the internet that suggests ways to improve mental health. Actions include: ensuring regular exercise, eating and drinking healthily and regularly, prioritising sleep, undertaking relaxing activities, focusing on positivity, setting priorities effectively, staying connected with people socially, and practising gratitude.
THE NEGATIVITY BIAS These actions are not always as easy to engage with as might be expected. Our natural responses to events tend to promote anxiety. We are biologically programmed or hard-wired to recognise potential threats. We cannot ignore these as to do so may be at our peril. But how we perceive potential threats can be our undoing. Catastrophizing – seeing a potential disaster where one may not necessarily happen – can be particularly damaging to mental health. It is easy to see threat even in
situations that are beneficial. By focusing on what can possibly go wrong can result in negativity bias. This also means that we tend to recall and emphasise negative events, over positive ones. Negative experiences can be useful as learning points but dwelling on them can raise anxiety and create learned helplessness. It is important to set negative
events against positive experiences. Positive experiences can be used as
opportunities. We need to actively notice positive things, savour success when it happens and take steps to sustain it. To focus better on positive
events, keep a journal. This means that positive experiences are not forgotten. A negative events journal can also be useful if just one a day is noted along with how this has affected our minds and bodies. We can use this analysis to change our behaviours and help build tolerance.
ENGAGING WITH STRESS DIFFERENTLY Stress refers to our ability to cope with events both external and those generated by our inner thoughts. Too little in the way of challenge leads to poor performance; too much results in our inability to function well and can result in both mental and physical ill-health. We all need to experience sufficient challenge to feel comfortable. The stimulus-response reaction
is automatic and acts as a form of protection to actual and perceived threats. In a hostile situation, the natural response flows from our fight or flight mechanisms. To improve mental wellbeing, we need to engage with stress differently. In many circumstances we have the opportunity to choose our response – by analysing how our mind reacts to challenges we can recognise our likely response and change our patterns of behaviour. Thoughts are not necessarily
facts so we can choose what we do with them. It is important to avoid thinking traps – such as always foreseeing the difficulties in any forthcoming situation – and replacing these with the opportunities that can flow from it. By treating negative thoughts as mental events, not as facts, and by labelling them, we can choose what to do with them. Acceptance of our own
emotions is important to wellbeing; being mindful and more tolerant of difficulties can help people feel that
they are not battling the impossible. By noticing what is happening, it is possible to gain control.
MEDITATION Meditation helps people to accept and be more tolerant of difficulties and to practise
acceptance of
their own emotions. It can help to reduce anxiety. During meditation individuals acknowledge their thoughts and concerns and bring compassion and non-judgement to them. It is important to remember that
we cannot eliminate the multiple thoughts that enter our minds but we can change the relationship we have with them. By giving the mind a different focus during meditation, for example by concentrating on breathing, the pressure of the stream of thoughts crowding the mind which cause stress can be reduced. Meditation is known to lead to a sense of calm that helps with emotional wellbeing.
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41
GLOBAL LEADERSHIP WELLBEING
GLOBAL MOBILITY MINI FACTSHEET: WELLBEING SUPPORT
Wellbeing support
Global mobility can be stressful and this can lead to poor health and wellbeing for employees and families on the move. Supporting wellbeing requires an holistic, human-centred approach to ensure successful global mobility.
WHY WELLBEING SUPPORT IS IMPORTANT Research has indicated that international assignees are frequently dissatisfied with the wellbeing support offered when they are relocated internationally. Such dissatisfaction can affect assignment outcomes negatively. Managers play a key role in ensuring
that assignees and their families are supported emotionally as well as via financial and practical support. Regular communication is crucial to identify potential problems and manage these before they become a concern. Successful approaches to managing
wellbeing in the workplace require a comprehensive policy approach that responds to both physical and emotional demands on individuals being relocated as well as their family members.
WELLBEING OF MINORITY GROUPS Minorities are less likely to have their wellbeing issues identified and addressed. Flexibility in policy is needed to ensure that ethnic minorities, the disabled, and the LGBTQ+ community are supported effectively. Women are still in the minority as international assignees
and their wellbeing issues also should be addressed specifically. Tailored support is important as every
individual’s needs are likely to be different. This need not become a major burden for managers provided that the assignment policy in place is both appropriate and flexible. Supportive management is important to ensure both business needs are met but also that individuals can work in a way that enhances their wellbeing.
CAREER SUPPORT INTERVENTIONS Career progression is one of the leading drivers for accepting an international assignment and support to ensure that this takes place is crucial to wellbeing. Mentoring, coaching, networking, and career counselling are all helpful interventions providing support for relocated employees particularly when working in unfamiliar cultures. Financial support packages for
international assignees are typically comprehensive. However, in today’s cost- cutting environment, cutbacks in financial support may damage wellbeing by causing stress to assignees and their families. Support with career management for accompanying partners (and working age children as appropriate) can provide an important intervention to assist in promoting family wellbeing.
ASSIGNMENT TRAVEL International assignments can take various forms including frequent mobility through short-term, commuter and rotational assignments. In addition, business travel that takes place while on assignment adds to the stress involved in the posting through frequent flying. Excessive travel is tiring and can cause
physical health problems particularly through crossing several time zones and
when flying long-haul. Where possible, the requirement to travel frequently and irregularly should be minimised in order to reduce the likelihood of burnout and improve the health and welfare of assignees. Wellbeing is also promoted through the reduction of periods of family separation.
ACCESS TO WELLBEING INTERVENTIONS Access to wellbeing interventions for employees and families is crucial for positive mental and physical health. For example, employee assistance programmes provide the opportunity for employees and family members to discuss their personal issues in a confidential and supportive environment. Access to courses, such as on mindfulness, can prove to be very beneficial to improving mental health.
To access the Mini Factsheet series visit
thinkglobalpeople.com and find out about events, webinars and podcasts. Contact us
info@thinkglobalpeople.com
For comprehensive information on managing Global Mobility visit our sister website
relocateglobal.com
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