Mental health is a big, serious, and sometimes scary topic. Opening up to friends, family, colleagues or medical professionals about the challenges we’re facing with our mental health can feel daunting and difficult.
At Cint, we remain committed to creating a culture where everyone can be successful. We challenge stereotypes, fight biases, and broaden perspectives through company policies. As such we’re also committed to destigmatizing the mental health and wellbeing challenges faced by colleagues across the company.
Since 1992, October 10th has been designated World Mental Health Day. The initial campaign was organized by the World Federation for Mental Health, an internationally-focussed NGO that seeks to promote the advancement of mental health awareness, prevention of mental disorders, advocacy, and best practice recovery focused interventions worldwide.
The world is a stressful place, and work can be stressful too. Which is getting your work-life balance right is an important — if occasionally difficult — art to master.
Studies have shown that taking up — and sticking with — a hobby can be beneficial for one’s mental health. Whether it’s long-distance running, table-top gaming or deep-sea diving,
In line with this year’s theme of “Mental Health at Work”, we spoke with some of Cint’s staff across the globe about hobbies, passion projects, and maintaining positive mental wellbeing in an age of increasing stress and anxiety.
US-based Davey Dupuy, Global Director of Employee Experience seeks solace in hiking. He tells us that, for him at least, mental and physical health go hand-in-hand. “The act of heading out and feeling like I’m in the middle of nowhere reminds me to slow down and enjoy where I’m at.”
Reading a good book or settling down for a long dinner with friends has a similar effect on Dupuy. “When I enjoy the things that relax me, it’s easy to prioritize them. It is the act of focusing on the things that make me feel happy and calm that help me feel healthier both mentally and physically.”
For others, hobbies can be rooted in tradition, as Londoner Skye Silcott, Executive Assistant explains.
“My West Indian grandparents came to the UK on the Windrush, and long story short (Notting Hill Race Riots and the inception of Notting Hill Carnival), they were vehemently involved and participated in Notting Hill Carnival. Carnival is a big part of my identity as a second generation Black Brit, and I have been attending carnivals for as long as I can remember, but I got hooked on playing Mas in 2019.”
Mas, for the uninitiated, is short for ‘masquerade’ and refers to the practice of participants dressing in costumes, masks and other disguises to dance through the parade routes of carnivals.
While London’s annual Notting Hill Carnival might be her favorite event of the year, Silcott points out that similar events take place pretty much everywhere. “For those not based in the UK, many countries all over the world also have their own carnival, and I love traveling abroad to experience each country’s way of doing Carnival. In my opinion, everyone should try to attend one that is near.”
Senior People Partner Shanaz Mahmood says that pilates is the thing that keeps her “sane” in her free time. She did her training in Berlin and has been teaching classes for almost two years. “It’s my favorite thing because I get to exercise, be creative with different movements and class designs, socialize with cool people who have similar interests, and discover new music — all at once.”
While Mahmood admits that it takes a lot longer to become a pilates instructor than you might think, she also says that, “I wouldn’t trade it for a thing.”
Another member of the team who likes to get physical out of working hours is US-based Neel Jha, Director, FP&A. In addition to occasionally being lucky enough to take cars out for a spin on race tracks, he’s hugely into mixed martial arts (MMA), with kickboxing being a favorite.
“Kickboxing for me is a way to get away from the desk and be able to challenge myself both mentally and physically. Similar to a game of chase, kickboxing requires you to play a mind-game with your opponent while letting your body ‘do the talking’,” Jha says.
Talking about how he found his way into kickboxing, Jha says, “I walked into an MMA gym one day and never left.” Five years on, he’s still there.
If the prospect of stepping foot into any gym, let alone one that specializes in martial arts, Jha has some words of reassurance. “The people there are some of the nicest people you will ever meet. The best thing to do is take a leap of faith and try a class.”
Senior Product Manager Maria Jose Reche who lives in Murcia, Spain, takes us from the gym to the beach, where she’s been practicing kitesurfing for a while now.
“Kitesurf offers a range of physical, mental and social benefits,” she says. “The ones that I value the most are the mental ones. It’s an adrenaline boost and a very mindful activity. When I am kitesurfing I am only focused on my board and the sea; I forget about everything. It’s great for stress relief.”
When it comes to more general advice on how best to maintain a healthy approach to one’s work-life balance, Reche suggests that keeping physically active while at work can help. “During working hours I also try to move so I’m not just sitting all day. I have a whiteboard and a pilates ball so I keep changing position. It helps me with back and neck pain.”
