Guidelines for emotional well-being for information professionals
Some professions are characterized by high levels of stress and, therefore, a greater likelihood of developing emotional distress or mental health problems. One such profession is that of journalists. The information sector suffers from high levels of job insecurity, coupled with long working hours and little room for work-life balance. This is compounded by the worries and stress associated with job insecurity in general (15%), poor pay (13%), a lack of political or economic independence (12%), and a lack of rigor and neutrality (12%), according to data from the 2023 Annual Report on the Journalism Profession, prepared by the Madrid Journalists Association (APM). In addition to the problems arising from the profession, women face further difficulties such as the heavy mental load of personal life and the challenges of work-life balance, harassment through social networks (which is usually more intense and frequent for women), and the so-called glass ceiling that prevents them from reaching leadership positions and fully developing professionally, personally, and economically.
According to the same report, half of the journalists and media professionals surveyed often or occasionally experience symptoms of burnout . Aware of this problem, the Col·legi de Periodistes de Catalunya (College of Journalists of Catalonia), in collaboration with the Col·legi Oficial de Psicologia de Catalunya (COPC), has developed the Guide for the Well-being and Mental Health of Media Professionals , which offers guidance on how to recognize warning signs. The dean of the Col·legi de Periodistes de Catalunya, Josep Maria Morros, noted during the presentation of this guide that 60% of the journalists surveyed consider leaving the profession a viable option due to mental health problems, according to an internal survey conducted by the Col·legi de Periodistes de Catalunya.
This guide emphasizes the understanding that caring for emotional well-being is a shared responsibility between the worker:
- Practice self-care by maintaining good lifestyle habits.
- Adjust expectations according to your actual possibilities.
- Focus on work.
- Working as a team.
- Appreciate the positive things.
- Express your needs assertively.
- Set boundaries for yourself and others.
And among the company:
- To guarantee fair compensation for work performed.
- To provide the necessary resources to perform their tasks productively and satisfactorily.
- Promote healthy leadership.
- Addressing the emotional suffering of their employees.
- Offer support with resources when needed, especially at the time of detection of the problem to prevent it from worsening.
Ten minutes of daily meditation to reduce stress and anxiety
Seven tips for information professionals
The Guide for the well-being and mental health of information professionals points out these basic guidelines for self-care of mental health in this work environment.
Don't always be on guard.
Maintaining constant vigilance and being on call 24/7 is unhealthy. It's recommended to set boundaries that allow you to adjust your needs, ensuring you always have some time for yourself.
Agree with the company in advance on the deadlines and the amount of work.
Define minimum working conditions and establish time horizons.
In other words, clearly communicate to the company that if the conditions are not favorable, they can only be maintained for a specific time and, if they continue the same, make clear what our needs and intentions are.
He puts the criticism into perspective.
Receiving criticism for your work is common. This guide recommends remembering that:
- You are so much more than your latest article or piece of work.
- Perhaps you could have done better under favorable conditions.
- Even if you are satisfied with the work, you can't always please everyone.
- Some criticism can help you improve or see other points of view.
- Also value any positive feedback and successes you may have.
- Don't analyze each piece like an exam that determines your reputation. This profession is a marathon, not a sprint.
It establishes limits and an order of priorities in digital communication.
It's not necessary to respond to WhatsApp messages, calls, or emails the moment you receive them. Prioritizing requests based on importance and urgency helps us feel in control of our time and better manage our responsibilities.
Why do we often feel (techno) stressed by the use of ICT?
Recognize the importance of rest.
Rest is key to physical and mental well-being, as well as in terms of work performance.
Ask for help if you need it.
If you notice any warning signs, seek help. Many companies have psychotherapists who can help resolve individual or team problems, and you can also seek help through the primary care system.
Featuring
