Navigating the new normal: Prioritizing mental health in a changing world at sennder

As such, we are acknowledging World Mental Health Day, which occurs on October 10th of each year. The day presents us with an opportunity to reflect on what we can do to support mental wellbeing in general and our employees’ mental health specifically. As part of our commitment we've asked colleagues Justin Rubbo, Director, People Programmes and Strategy, and Sangita Sharma, Director, Strategy - Planning & Pricing, to share their strategies for everyday mental health – the habits that help them perform well and reach their potential at work. In addition, Pia Toensmann, Senior People Programs Partner, will share how sennder culture, teamwork and resources can help support mental health practices in the workplace.

sennder: How do you take care of your mental health at work?

Justin Rubbo – Director, People Programmes and Strategy

“In my work life, I maintain a project and to-do list using Asana. I update [the lists] every Monday morning with a plan for the week ahead. And, I revisit the plan every morning to make sure I am still on track for my daily deliverables. By having these lists, I feel in control and on top of my work, which minimizes my cortisol levels.

For my personal wellbeing, I try to maintain as much self-care as possible. I do my best to eat healthy, go to the gym frequently, and spend as much time with friends as possible. As a helpful trigger for me, I like to schedule the gym, appointments, etc. around 6pm, to ensure I take a break and close my laptop…”

sennder: What are some of the mental health practices that help keep you at your best?

Sangita Sharma, Director, Strategy - Planning & Pricing

“There are three practices I generally follow to maintain good mental health:

1. I block a portion of my calendar every evening. During that time, I completely disconnect from work and spend time with my family. This used to be difficult to do, but when you have a toddler running around the house, it becomes a lot easier. I wish I had started doing it before I was a parent because it gives me perspective and forces me to be more productive during the day. Stepping out of the work universe, every day, makes me realize how manageable my tasks and responsibilities should be.

2. I take one-on-ones outside of the office when possible. If I can turn one meeting per day into a walk or a chat in a different location than the office space, it helps my brain reset. No one ever regrets stepping out to get some fresh air.

3. I do something active at least twice a week. I used to be a gym-goer 4-5x/week, but having a child, a full-time job and some remnants of a social life made that harder for me. So, I try to give myself two hours per week to workout. When I work out, I can’t think about work, responsibilities, errands, to-do lists. My brain is just focused on surviving the workout, there is something very freeing about that.

The best way I’ve been able to strike a balance [between work and personal life] is:

1. Learning to prioritize and say no. This is much easier said than done. But it starts with small changes. For example, the easiest place to start is looking at your calendar. Do you really need to attend every meeting you’re invited to?... If I am not a primary decision maker, I re-evaluate whether my attendance is required. Sometimes reading the post-meeting notes is sufficient.

2. Asking for help. Most people want to help and almost no one wants to make your life more difficult. You’d be surprised what solutions people come up with when you ask for help.

I’m still new to sennder, but I already appreciate my team for their support and understanding. They work around my schedule and take on more responsibilities as I ramp up. I also appreciate the candidness of everyone I’ve met. Everyone is open to sharing and hearing an honest opinion, which makes it easier to understand our differences and how we can work together to address them.``

sennder: What are some of the mental health practices that help keep you at your best?

Pia Toensmann, Senior People Programs Partner

I personally use the mental health tool Likeminded regularly, sometimes for workshops, but mainly for individual sessions with psychological experts. That has helped me immensely [in my work]. I also use the sessions for problems in my private life. I love that we can use it for both work and private matters.

Another important element helping me maintain my mental health is our flexible working hours, which allow me to keep up my gym routine. Sometimes I start quite early, take a break to go to my cycling or yoga class and then continue afterwards. In addition, sennder offers Mental Health Days and Weeks, expert webinars, and Mental Health First Aiders… But what benefits me and my wellbeing the most are the little things: I can openly communicate to my team when I am not feeling well, the little messages of appreciation or feedback from my manager and team, the good vibe in the office, which lift my spirits, and, overall, just the feeling that I can be myself at sennder.”

sennder takes the wellbeing of our employees seriously. We encourage colleagues to share their strategies for daily mental wellbeing with the goal of reaching our full potential both at work and in our personal lives. We know the value of work-life balance and are committed to ensuring our employees are performing at their best. We encourage you to join us in celebrating World Mental Health Day by considering the ways you can build positive mental health habits in and out of your workplace.