Healthy Habits Can Reduce Depression-caused Productivity Loss, Absenteeism

Researchers at Tufts Medical Center recently released another in a string of studies that find a correlation between employee depression and decreased productivity and higher absenteeism. In fact, depression accounts for greater productivity loss and absenteeism than other health conditions, save musculoskeletal disorders and insomnia – which stress can increase. Troubles managing workload and routines, difficulty performing physical tasks, reduced ability to handle work pace, motivational issues, and fatigue can result from depression and decrease productivity and increase absenteeism.

However, there are measures that can combat and help ward off depression, and encouraging healthy habits among employees can pay off. The Mayo Clinic offers several strategies, including:

Establishing and maintaining supportive relationships with family
Getting involved with community groups, faith or spiritual organizations, and other opportunities that help give meaning to life and encourage social connections
Laughing more and enjoying the humor in life
Staying focused on a positive future and goals
Exercising regularly
Getting adequate sleep
Eating healthily
Practicing relaxation and stress management techniques
Addressing problems by taking an active approach
Keeping problems in perspective of the big picture of life and the world
Enlisting the help of a mental health professional if problems become overwhelming or severe