@Shaz51 @Faith-and-Hope @Glisten @swift1 @creative_writer @Captain24 @Oaktree @Glisten @MDT , @Ainjoule , @Snowie Glisten
Here's the consolidated occupational wellbeing material.
Occupational wellbeing
Occupational wellbeing involves participation in activities that bring meaning and purpose, including employment, volunteer work, and other meaningful activities connected to social roles. It is a crucial aspect of overall wellbeing, impacting self-definition, life structure, self-efficacy, relationships, and potentially financial stability. A key wisdom is that people thrive when their activities provide purpose, autonomy or elbow-room (including access to resources and training), and opportunities to attain mastery.
Occupational wellbeing encompasses job satisfaction, a healthy work environment, healthy work choices, job performance, productivity, efficiency, professionalism, job skills, job improvement, knowledge sharing, problem-solving, accomplishment, appreciation, agency (perception of having control), companionship, and pleasure.
Understanding the reasons people stay or leave jobs can provide insights into what is important for occupational wellness, often revolving around management practices and work culture. The number one reason people give for leaving their jobs is their managers. Whether in paid employment, volunteer roles, or self-employment, occupational wellbeing requires proactive management to ensure balance and fulfillment.
In the following list of 28 suggestions for improving or maintaining occupational wellbeing, the letter in parentheses flags which other kinds of wellbeing are reinforced, as follows:
B = Behavioural; Em = Emotional; Env = Environmental; Fi = Financial; In = Intellectual; Ph = Physical; So = Social; Sp = Spiritual
Career alignment and personal fulfillment
- Engage in fulfilling activities that align with your values and passions: "Participate in volunteer work, hobbies, or projects that fit your values, bring personal satisfaction, and allow you to contribute your talents and knowledge." (Em, Sp)
- Explore opportunities and pursue fitting roles: "Think about where you are in your life and pursue activities or roles that fit well within that framework. Review opportunities that align with your interests and skills." (In, Em, Sp)
- If you are receiving social or financial benefits, explore opportunities that allow you to stay engaged in meaningful activities without risking the loss of your support. This could include volunteering, part-time work, or educational courses that are compatible with the conditions of your benefits. (Fi)
- Seek career counselling: "Engage in career counselling to explore your interests and skills, and to receive guidance on potential career paths or opportunities." (In, Em)
Work relationships
- Communicate openly and build supportive relationships: "Maintain an open line of communication with those around you to ensure mutual understanding and responsiveness. By your actions, maintain supportive relationships within your community or network." (So)
- Seek and give feedback and support: "Regularly seek feedback and support from friends, family, and community members to improve your activities and personal growth. Give upwards feedback to your manager.” (So, Em)
- Expect autonomy, resources, and opportunities for mastery: "If you have an employer or sponsor, expect from them the autonomy to carry out your job or occupation, access to required resources and training, and opportunities for mastery." (Em, Sp)
Balance
- Schedule leisure time and maintain balance: "Make sure to schedule time for relaxation and activities you enjoy, such as spending time with friends, taking nature walks, or getting massages. Establish clear boundaries between different aspects of your life to ensure you have adequate time to recharge. Prioritize balance by ensuring you have enough time for family, friends, hobbies, and relaxation." (Em, So)
- Volunteer work: "Consider volunteering in the community as a way to spend time meaningfully and maintain a balanced life." (So, Sp)
- Manage workload and activities: "Use tracking tools to manage your activities and ask for help if it becomes overwhelming." (Em)
- Practice stress management: "Incorporate stress management techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, or yoga into your routine to maintain a healthy balance." (Em, Sp)
- Take breaks: "Ensure you take regular breaks during your activities to rest and recharge, improving overall productivity and wellbeing." (Em)
Accomplishment
- Acknowledge achievements: "Pat yourself on the back for your accomplishments and take pride in what you do." (Em)
- Pursue continuous learning and focus on strengths: "Engage in continuous learning and personal development to keep your skills updated and stay motivated. Look for and expect opportunities to attain mastery. Don't spend time trying to turn weaknesses into strengths; have some compensatory techniques to get you by, and stick with those." (In)
- Look for mentoring opportunities: "Seek out mentoring opportunities, including reverse mentoring where an older person is mentored by a younger person, to gain insights into different perspectives, such as youth culture." (So, In)
- Set personal goals: "Set short-term and long-term personal goals to give yourself direction and purpose." (In, Em, Sp)
Environment
- Enhance your environment: "Create a comfortable and inspiring environment to boost your motivation and overall wellbeing." (Env)
Caregiving and occupational wellbeing
- Recognize the impact of caregiving: "Understand that caring for someone can significantly impact your health, leading to increased healthcare needs and lower levels of self-care and preventive health behaviors. Prioritize your health to continue providing care effectively." (Em, Sp)
- Assess caregiver needs: "Seek an assessment of family caregiver needs that leads to a care plan with support services." (So)
- Participate in caregiver education and support programs: "Engage in programs designed to educate and support caregivers." (In, So)
- Utilize respite care: "Use respite care services to reduce caregiver burden and maintain your own wellbeing." (Em, So)
- Seek financial support: "Look for financial assistance to alleviate the economic stress of caregiving." (Fi)
- Involve primary care interventions: "Ensure primary care interventions address your needs as a caregiver." (Em)
Health checks and screenings
- Engage in dedicated health checks and screenings: "Take advantage of health checks and screenings, such as those for type 2 diabetes risk, chronic disease risk for individuals aged 45-49, comprehensive assessments for those aged 75 and older, heart health for those aged 45 and older, women's health screenings (e.g., breast screening, Pap smears), bowel cancer screening for patients aged 50-74, and skin checks or vaccination clinics if available." (Ph, Em)
Self-employment and volunteering
- Evaluate self-employment practices: "As a self-employed individual, find ways to work smarter, not harder, to reduce effort and increase output. Regularly assess your problem-solving skills and recognize your accomplishments." (Em)
- Seek feedback: "Ask for feedback from clients or the people you care for to improve your services and satisfaction." (So)
- Attend training programs: "Participate in training programs to enhance your skills and knowledge." (In)
Employee wellness programs
- Participate in wellness programs: "Engage in employer-provided wellness programs that focus on physical and mental health, such as on-site gyms, smoking cessation programs, fitness classes, walking groups, stress management workshops, and vaccination clinics." (Ph, Em, So)