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  • Prioritizing Women’s Mental Health in The Corporate World Is Important – News18

    Prioritizing Women’s Mental Health in The Corporate World Is Important – News18


    Effective time management skills play a significant role in helping women balance their responsibilities by prioritizing tasks, delegating when feasible, and avoiding over-commitment

    Societal expectations and traditional gender roles can leave women with limited time and energy for self-care and personal well-being

    Women in the corporate world often face a stressful environment, which is further compounded by the pressures they experience at home. Managing household responsibilities such as childcare, household chores, and caring for family members adds to their already demanding workload. Balancing these domestic duties with their professional obligations places a significant burden on women, leading to heightened stress levels. Societal expectations and traditional gender roles can exacerbate this imbalance, leaving women with limited time and energy for self-care and personal well-being.

    Recognizing mental health challenges, such as worry, anxiety, stress, and depression, in women employed in the corporate sector holds immense significance for their well-being and the overall productivity of the organization. “Worry and anxiety may manifest as overwhelming concerns, restlessness, and difficulty maintaining focus, while signs of chronic stress can be identified by heightened irritability, fatigue, decreased motivation, and a host of other subtle and overt medical issues. Symptoms of depression often encompass enduring sadness, loss of interest, and alterations in sleep or appetite,” says Dr Samir Dwivedi, Medical Director, Indian Subcontinent, International SOS.

    Acknowledgment plays a vital role in fostering their overall well-being, enabling them to sustain optimal mental capacity, resilience, and emotional equilibrium Consequently, their productivity and efficiency in the workplace are heightened, as individuals with sound mental health exhibit greater engagement, focus, and motivation. Moreover, by giving precedence to the mental well-being of women in the workforce, we can actively cultivate gender equality.

    Dr Dwivedi states, “Addressing the mental health needs of women in the workforce is of utmost importance. The presence of these mental health issues can have a significant impact on an organization’s productivity, leading to decreased work performance, increased absenteeism, and higher turnover rates. If left unaddressed, these concerns can create a negative work environment, adversely affecting team dynamics and overall morale.”

    Women have a range of strategies at their disposal to counter the stress generated by the demands of both the workplace and home. “First and foremost, establishing boundaries is crucial. This entails clearly defining limits between work and personal life, dedicating specific time slots for work-related tasks, and carving out dedicated time for personal activities and self-care. Giving priority to self-care is essential, encompassing activities that foster physical and mental well-being, such as regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing exercises. Effective time management skills play a significant role in helping women balance their responsibilities by prioritizing tasks, delegating when feasible, and avoiding over-commitment. Seeking support is equally important, whether through confiding in a trusted friend, joining support groups, or seeking professional counselling. Engaging in open communication with employers or supervisors about workload and personal constraints can lead to potential accommodations or increased flexibility. Building a supportive network of family, friends, or colleagues who can offer emotional support and assistance with home responsibilities can also alleviate stress. Also, adopting stress-reduction techniques like mindfulness or engaging in hobbies and activities that bring joy contributes to overall well-being and effective stress management,” explains Dr Dwivedi.

    It is crucial for organizations to prioritize mental health and establish supportive structures such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), flexible work arrangements, and mental health resources. “By taking proactive measures to address these issues, organizations not only promote the well-being of their employees but also cultivate a positive and productive work environment. The use of practical and yet easily accessible methodologies, such as mindfulness techniques, stress management strategies, and work-life balance initiatives, is customized to suit the unique requirements of the corporate setting. This, in turn, contributes to enhanced employee satisfaction, higher retention rates, and ultimately, the overall success of the organization. We educate corporates, offering them valuable guidance on acknowledging and addressing mental health issues through effective and accessible tools,” opines Dr Dwivedi. Our efforts have to be directed consistently toward improving the functioning and holistic well-being of individuals. We need to possess a profound comprehension of the distinct challenges faced by employees in corporate environments and advocate prioritizing mental health within organizations.

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    Swati Chaturvedi

    Swati Chaturvedi loves to write about everything lifestyle. From food to travel to decor and relationships, this is her jam!…Read More



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  • World No-Tobacco Day 2023: How Vaping Can Increase Risk Of Depression And Anxiety In Adolescents- Expert Explains

    World No-Tobacco Day 2023: How Vaping Can Increase Risk Of Depression And Anxiety In Adolescents- Expert Explains


    World No-Tobacco Day aims to raise awareness among people about the health hazards of tobacco use, including smoking and oral tobacco products. It emphasises the value of quitting and calls on authorities, groups, and people to take action to stop tobacco usage.

    The theme for this year’s World No Tobacco Day (WNTD), which will be observed on May 31, 2023, is “We need food, not tobacco.” The WHO will join forces with public health advocates from all across the world to commemorate WNTD.

    In an exclusive conversation with Zee English, Dr Satyanarayana Mysore, HOD & Consultant – Pulmonology, Lung Transplant Physician, Manipal Hospital talks about the ill effects of vaping especially for young adults.

    Medical professionals as well as the general public worldwide have expressed concern over the popularity of e-cigarettes, vaping, and related products in recent years.

    “Vaping and cannabis smoking have gained widespread popularity in recent years, particularly among young adults. While the two practices are not entirely the same, they can have similar effects on the body,” says Dr Satyanarayana.

    What are e-cigarettes?

    The process by which e-cigarettes, sometimes referred to as vape pens or e-cigs, function involves heating a liquid solution that generally includes nicotine, flavourings, and other compounds.

    What is vaping?

    The act of inhaling and exhaling aerosol produced by an electronic cigarette or other similar device is referred to as vaping.

    Is Vaping Less Harmful than Cigarettes?

    While vaping is often considered less harmful than smoking traditional cigarettes, it still carries numerous risks. E-cigarette aerosols contain nicotine, volatile organic compounds, heavy metals like lead, tin, and various cancer-causing chemicals. 

    Since e-cigarettes contain e-liquid (with a heating mechanism) instead of tobacco combustion, manufacturers claim that using e-cigarettes has less detrimental respiratory effects than smoking tobacco. According to reports, the heating process itself can result in the production of new breakdown chemicals of dubious toxicity.

    Effect of Vaping On Physical Health

    Dr Satyanarayana says, “Vaping can give rise to EVALI, which stands for e-cigarette, vaping use-associated lung injury. The primary cause of EVALI, according to health officials, is vitamin E acetate (an ingredient in some THC-containing e-cigarettes). “

    “Apart from vitamin E acetate, many other substances and product sources in vaping materials are being investigated as potential causes,” Dr Mysore further remarks.

    Some of the symptoms include shortness of breath, fever and chills, cough, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, dizziness, rapid heart rate, and chest pain. The treatment varies from medical management on an outpatient basis to hospitalization in severe cases.

    According to a Spanish study, a comparison of e-cigarettes and conventional cigarettes shows that both cause an increase in the inflammatory state and oxidative stress in the body. This has a direct causation with various respiratory, cardiovascular, reproductive, and immunological problems – COPD, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, lung cancer, hypertension, heart attacks, stroke, and infertility. The use of flavours in e-cigarettes is linked to marked toxic effects on pulmonary fibroblasts.

    The World Health Organisation suggests that e-cigarettes can’t be considered as a viable option to quit smoking, due to a lack of evidence. Currently, both FDA and CDC are actively examining the cases of severe respiratory symptoms linked with the excessive use of vaping.

    American Lung Association says, smoking marijuana damages the human lung. It causes chronic bronchitis and marijuana smoke has been proven to injure the cell linings of the major airways, which may explain why smoking marijuana leads to symptoms including chronic cough, phlegm production, wheezing, and acute bronchitis. 

    Among young to middle-aged adults, who are heavy marijuana smokers, there are also cases of air pockets in both lungs, between the lungs and the chest wall, as well as emphysema (huge air bubbles) in the lungs.

    Effect of Vaping on the Brain in Young Adults

    “Nicotine works as a depressant whereas tetrahydrocannabinol or THC works as a partial agonist at the cannabinoid receptor. Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC smoking can cause lung irritation and inflammation, as well as adversely affect mental health. Pleasant marijuana experiences are far from universal,” said Dr Satyanarayana.

    Some people experience anxiety, fear, panic, or distrust instead of relaxation and enjoyment. Repeated exposure to nicotine may desensitize the brain’s reward pathways by altering the release of dopamine – a neurotransmitter that acts as a messenger between nerve cells. 

    It can have negative effects on the brain, particularly in young people whose brains are still developing. These effects include impaired cognitive function, memory problems, and difficulty learning, as well as mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety among people vaping regularly. 

    Most of the ongoing research focussing on these aspects has conclusive evidence to suggest that e-cigarettes are in no way safer than conventional cigarettes. 

    Furthermore, dual vaping (nicotine and THC) has a potential additive harmful effect on mental and physical health. Considering the physical and mental effects of vaping and e-cigarettes, it can be concluded that there is an urgent need to educate youngsters about the negative effects of these products and request the authorities in rule to have a systematic ban on these agents of addiction.





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