Nurturing Mental Health in the Workplace Workshop

Workshop Recap

On October 8th, 2024, Sinead Moloney, led a workshop focused on nurturing mental health in the workplace at The Learning Studio in The Digital Hub, Dublin 8. This workshop offered participants an opportunity to reflect on their work-life balance and introduced valuable self-care techniques to manage stress in the workplace.

This workshop was part of the Health and Wellbeing Initiatives delivered by The Smart D8 Panel for the Employees of Companies based in The Digital Hub (5/5).

Workshop Highlights

Grounding and Mindfulness Techniques

The workshop began with a grounding exercise where participants were guided through a series of mindfulness techniques. These included breathing exercises, body awareness, and tension-release exercises. Participants were prompted with questions like, “How is your body feeling today?” and “Where might you be carrying tension?” Square breathing and the 5-1 grounding technique were also introduced, both of which are easily done while seated at a desk.

Establishing a Group Contract

To create a respectful and open environment, attendees collaboratively agreed on a group contract. This contract emphasized confidentiality, a no-device policy during the workshop, and the importance of respecting each other’s opinions and differences.

Interactive Activities

  1. ICEBREAKER- INTRODUCTIONS WITH A TWIST: as a fun icebreaker, participants took part in a game involving a ball. Whoever caught the ball had to describe their day, week, or month using just one word. This helped everyone feel more connected and comfortable with one another.
  2. INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP ASSESSMENT: during a sociometry exercise, participants mapped their work locations within The Digital Hub, described their connections, and shared details about their commute. They also reflected on their daily self-care practices. Additionally, participants rated their busiest time of year on a scale of 1 to 10, providing insight into how stress fluctuates throughout the year.

Reflective Writing Exercises

In a quiet, introspective exercise, participants were asked to divide a piece of paper into four sections and respond to the following prompts:

  • What work challenge causes me the most stress?
  • How am I currently managing it?
  • How could I reduce this stress or change my approach?
  • How can I better care for myself during times of stress?

After completing this individual reflection, attendees paired up to discuss their insights and thoughts.

Pairs Sharing: Building Support Networks

In pairs, participants explored what they could let go of and what support systems they already have in place. They also identified what additional support they might need to successfully manage their work for the rest of the year, and discussed what they require from their colleagues to feel more supported.

Workshop Goals

Participants responded positively to the guided meditation, the warm-up exercises, and the reflective writing activities. The sharing in pairs helped foster deeper connections and provided an opportunity for participants to learn from each other.

The workshop concluded with a final reflection exercise, where participants considered what they would take away from the session, what they would leave behind, and what they had learned about themselves and others. The workshop ended with a grounding meditation, allowing participants to notice any changes in their body from the beginning of the session to the end.

As a thoughtful final touch, Sinead brought a jar filled with affirmations, and each participant was invited to take one as they left the workshop.

This workshop provided a supportive space for participants to reflect, connect, and develop practical strategies for nurturing their mental health in the workplace.