Lets Talk Mental Health + Spirituality + Employees Productivity


    Photo Credit: FNPH Yaba

By Comfort Umoren-Olorunnisomo

When last did you listen to the soft whispers of your soul? In a world that constantly keeps us busy with concrete deadlines, infoxication, pressure to succeed, and the need to be liked and known, stress, anxiety, and depression become the norm when we fail to keep up. As we mark another World Mental Health Day, an interesting report released by Gallup and Radiant Foundation reminds us of a powerful ally we often ignore in our quest for mental health and well-being: faith and spirituality. The research, which covered 140 countries and pulled from world poll data between 2012 and 2022, reveals a highly significant connection between spirituality and mental and physical well-being. It submits that those who identify as spiritual or people of faith are likely to have lower rates of depression, suicide, and social isolation.

One of the exciting things I find in this study is how it links spirituality and faith to DEI and employees' performance. The study posits that employees' well-being and emotional resilience improved when they were encouraged to express their faith, which helped them cope with stress and uncertainty at work. This is important because employees with burnout, depression, and other mental health-related issues cost organizations worldwide over $1.3 trillion in lost opportunity, productivity, and turnover. I believe when individuals find alignment between their values and their work, they tend to be more engaged, creative, and productive. Better put, a professor of psychology and education at Columbia University, Lisa Miller, explained that - when spiritual life is shared, you are at an 82% decreased relative risk for suicide, an 80% decreased risk of addiction, and a 75% decreased risk of depression. Hence, spirituality is pivotal in any organization's strategic management - recruitment, retention, and DEI, among others. Princeton University’s David Miller categorized organizations' work environments and policies as either faith-avoiding, faith-tolerating, faith-based, or faith-friendly. Where does your organization fall?

Furthermore, the research submits that most religious people have their faith communities or a higher force to lean on to in difficult times than nonreligious folks. A Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University, Harold Koenig, describes this as a mutually beneficial relationship where you build your support system and become a part of others’ support system, which provides stability in your own life. Harvard researchers also found that people who pray or meditate often are 47% more likely to have a sense of mission and purpose in their lives than those who do not.

I opine that faith and spirituality give us a sense of purpose, strength, comfort, and hope and help us build resilience during rough times. The Radiant Foundation CEO, Aaron Sherinian, sums up the need to connect spiritually for improved mental health by saying, “We are facing a worldwide mental health crisis, and we cannot afford to overlook any aspect of life or activity that can improve well-being."

Faith and spirituality play a significant role in the conversation on mental health and well-being, and in our relentless pursuit of personal and professional success, let us not forget to connect and listen to the whispers of our souls. In doing so, we may find greater fulfillment, inner peace, and a brighter, more hopeful world for all.

You can read the full report via https://www.faithandmedia.com/research/gallup

#WorldMentalHealthDay #FAMI #RadiantFoundation #Gallup #faithandwork #MentalHealth #Spirituality #WorkplaceMentalHealth

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suwe : Play, Learn and Stay Healthy!

Image
Ever missed the good 'old school' fun days as a kid? Those days of innocence, devil-may-care and blithe disregard for any of life's worries. Growing up in the ghetto had its advantages, one of which was being dogged but the most interesting thing I missed about my growing up were the exciting games we played.  These games include 'Suwe', 'Ten-ten' and 'touch-and-do' among others.  Research has shown that outdoor games enhances children's learning abilities and skills while exploring nature.  They also get to breathe fresh air and get to learn things they may never be taught in the four walls of the classroom. Today, I'll focus on 'Suwe' otherwise known as Hopscotch and its many benefits.                                       Photo credit: daily gossip 'Suwe' is a game where players ranging from 2-10 take turns singly or in pairs to hop on series of square...
Read more

15 Common Phobias People Have But Don't Know Their Names

Image
15 Common Phobias People Have But Don't Know Their Names  Comfort Umoren-Olorunnisomo Happy New Year!!! Welcome to 2023. We have lots of thought-provoking and interesting articles lined up for you this year.  In our last post, we shared what phobia is, its causes and symptoms. We also established that there are many types of phobias and people often shape their lives to avoid their phobias.  So, let's get straight into our top 15 phobias you may have but may not know their names: 1. Acrophobia: This is the fear of heights. 2. Achluophobia: Fear of darkness. 3. Atychiphobia: This refers to the fear of failing/failure. 4. Caligynephobia: This is the fear of beautiful women 5. Entomophobia: Fear of insect 6. Glossophobia: This is the fear of public speaking. People with this phobia often avoid situations that will make them talk in front of group of people. 7. Gamophobia: Fear of marriage 8. Nyctophobia: Is the fear of the dark or being in a dark place, hence most people wit...
Read more

Valuable Career Lessons I Learned From The Ghetto As A Child

Image
By Comfort Umoren-Olorunnisomo (Updated but first posted by the author on the Atlas Corps Fellowship site on June 28, 2023) I grew up in the ghetto and spent the first 18+ years of my life in  Olodi Apapa , popularly called “ AJ City ” or “Ghetto City,” in  Lagos, Nigeria . Survival of the fittest was the code, but there, I made friends like family and learned invaluable skills and life lessons that I have applied in leadership, business, career, relationships, academia, finance, parenting, and many other areas. In this piece, I will focus on some career lessons I learned as a child that have helped me grow professionally. Build Your Ark Before It Rains:  While in primary school, I was part of the school’s march past team. We represented  Wowo Primary School  in March Past competitions and during the  Independence Day celebration  march past ceremonies. We always came first, and our competitors accused us of either using ‘juju’ (black magic) or bribin...
Read more