Introduction
In the TV show Severance, employees undergo a procedure that separates their personal and professional memories, creating a sharp division between work life and personal life. While this is a dystopian approach to managing mental health at work, it does provide important lessons that employees in the real world can learn from. In this blog post, we explore five mental health lessons from Severance that everyone should know.
1. Work-Life Boundaries are Crucial
In Severance, the characters live in two separate realities—work and personal life. This stark contrast reveals just how necessary clear boundaries are for mental well-being. In the real world, setting boundaries between work and home life is essential to maintaining mental health. Constantly working after hours, checking emails during vacations, or bringing work home can quickly lead to burnout.
Life Planner’s Habit Tracker can help you stay disciplined about your boundaries by setting work hours and reminders to disconnect from work.
2. Self-Care Isn’t a Luxury – It’s a Necessity
In the show, the work characters are deprived of their personal lives, which removes any chance for self-care. In real life, neglecting self-care can have severe consequences on both mental and physical health. Regular breaks, exercise, and social connections are all essential components of a healthy lifestyle. Without self-care, stress and burnout can take over.
Life Planner’s Mood Tracker and Habit Reminders features are great tools to help you prioritize self-care and keep track of how you're feeling each day.
3. Disconnecting from Work Helps You Recharge
In Severance, the concept of disconnecting from work is taken to an extreme, but it highlights how important it is to take time off. Employees need to recharge, refresh, and focus on things outside of work to prevent burnout. Ensuring you're fully disconnected from work during your time off can make you more productive and happier when you're back.
With Life Planner, you can track your work habits and time off with the Habit Calendar, which helps you monitor when you need a break.
4. You Can’t Work 24/7 – Balance is Key
In the workplace, there's often pressure to work non-stop. Severance underscores the dangers of working around the clock, as employees' lives are fragmented and strained. Overworking can lead to exhaustion, mental health issues, and decreased productivity. Striking a balance between work and personal time is essential for well-being and career longevity.
Life Planner’s To-Do List and Schedule Tracking features can help you efficiently manage tasks so you don’t overburden yourself.
5. Mental Health at Work Should Be Taken Seriously
In Severance, mental health is ignored in favor of maximizing productivity. This is a cautionary tale: mental health issues at work should never be sidelined. Employers must create environments that prioritize employee well-being. Encouraging open discussions about mental health, offering support, and providing resources for stress management can significantly improve employees' overall well-being.
As individuals, we can also take responsibility for our own mental health. Life Planner’s Journal feature can provide a safe space to reflect on how you’re feeling at work, helping you catch potential issues early.
Real-World Statistics on Mental Health at Work
According to recent studies, over 70% of employees report feeling stressed at work, and about 30% of them experience burnout. The statistics are alarming, which is why addressing mental health in the workplace has become a top priority for many companies.
Mental Health at Work: Impact on Employees
Conclusion: Take Action for Better Mental Health
While Severance may depict an extreme approach to the challenges of work-life balance and mental health, the lessons from the show are invaluable. Boundaries, self-care, work-life balance, and taking mental health seriously are all important aspects of a healthy career and life. By taking charge of your well-being with tools like Life Planner, you can avoid burnout and create a better work-life balance.
Ready to take control of your mental health and work-life balance? Download Life Planner today to start building healthy habits and managing your stress:
Download and install the app for your device by following the link. With Life Planner’s tools like habit tracking, mood tracking, to-do lists, and journaling, you’ll be empowered to prioritize your mental health and work-life balance. Start today!