At Upward Engine, we talk a lot about performance, growth, and results.
But something we’ve learned over time is this: you don’t get great performance without taking care of your people first.
Mental health in the workplace isn’t a “nice to have.” It directly impacts focus, productivity, retention, and overall team culture. Studies continue to show that employees who feel genuinely supported are more engaged, more loyal, and better able to bring their best work forward.
And the biggest thing we’ve learned?
It doesn’t have to be complicated.
You don’t need a massive program or a big budget to support your team. You just need to be intentional.
Supporting our team’s mental health has always been a priority for us. But last year, we gave it a bigger push during Mental Health Awareness Month. And the best part? A lot of what we started then has stuck with us ever since.
Here are some of the ways we’ve made mental health a real priority at our company, and how you can start doing the same with yours.
It Starts With Small, Daily Habits
Last year, during Mental Health Awareness Month, we launched an initiative called “30 Days of Wellness.”
We created a dedicated Slack channel where, each day, we shared one small, simple way to take care of your mental health at work.
Things like:
- Taking 10 minutes for yourself
- Going on a walk
- Practicing gratitude
- Setting healthy work boundaries
- Logging off on time
And much more.
Nothing overwhelming. Just small, realistic actions people could actually do during a normal workday.
And that’s what made it work. When workplace wellness initiatives feel doable, people actually do them.
We Keep It Fun and Low Pressure
We also ran small, optional wellness challenges throughout the week.
Nothing intense. Nothing required.
Just things like:
- 50 jumping jacks
- Drink your water
- Go on a quick walk
The format is simple:
- Someone posts a challenge
- Anyone who wants to can join in
- Complete it sometime during the day
- Mark it done
It’s all an honor system and just meant to keep people engaged in a fun way. These low-pressure activities keep employee engagement and wellness top of mind without adding stress to anyone’s plate.
We Make It Easy to Take Breaks
One of the simplest ways to support employee mental health is to normalize taking breaks during the day.
For us, that might look like:
- Taking a 10-minute walk
- Running across the street for a drink or snack
- Just stepping away from your desk for a few minutes
We don’t track it. We don’t question it.
We just make it okay.
Because people come back better when they take care of themselves. And the science backs that up. Short mental breaks throughout the day improve focus, creativity, and overall productivity.
We Created Physical Space to Reset
Sometimes supporting workplace mental health is as simple as giving people a place to breathe.
We added a picnic table outside so the team can get some sun, step away from their screens, and reset during lunch or breaks.
It’s a small change, but it creates a big difference in how the day feels. Creating physical space for rest sends a message that taking time to recharge is not just allowed, it’s encouraged.
We Build Real Connection (Outside of Work, Too)
One of the most impactful things we’ve done is create space for our team to connect outside of just work.
We launched Slack “club” channels where team members can share and connect around the things they enjoy: games, crafting, pets, books, movies, and more.
Because people aren’t just employees. They’re people first.
And when people feel connected to each other, everything else improves. Workplace community plays a huge role in employee mental health, job satisfaction, and long-term retention.
We Show Up Beyond the Office
On the last day of May, we took it a step further.
We partnered with @runnerguywithasign, who runs along the side of the road holding a sign that says: “I believe in you.”
Our team took a long lunch, joined him, and stood outside with signs of our own.
It was a simple moment, but a powerful one.
A reminder that mental health awareness doesn’t stop at the office doors. Showing up for each other and for our community is part of who we are.
What We’ve Learned About Supporting Team Mental Health
A few things have become really clear through all of this:
1. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Simple, consistent actions matter more than big initiatives.
2. You don’t need to force it. When you make participation easy and low pressure, people naturally engage.
3. It’s not just about appreciation. Appreciation matters, but real support is about creating space, building habits, and showing up consistently.
How to Start Supporting Mental Health at Your Workplace
If you’re thinking about how to better support your team’s mental health, start small.
You don’t need to overhaul everything overnight.
Just start with one thing:
- A daily habit your team can opt into
- A space (digital or physical) for connection
- A moment to step away without guilt
That’s it.
You don’t need a big budget. You just need consistency and intention.
Final Thought
Mental health at work doesn’t have to be complicated.
It just has to be intentional.
Because at the end of the day, taking care of your team isn’t separate from performance.
It’s what drives it.
At Upward Engine, we believe in building habits that support mental health and showing up consistently for our team. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help your business!
