Monthly Archives: March 2022

Supporting employee well-being is a critical responsibility of HR teams. Unfortunately, this worthwhile endeavor isn’t always straightforward. It can be particularly challenging when it comes to factors stemming from outside the workplace, such as international crises.

Amid these difficult circumstances, employees may be affected in a number of unique ways. It’s important for HR teams to be able to respond with supportive solutions to help ward off employee distress.

This article outlines methods HR teams can use to help support employees during times of international crisis.

Consider Different Employees’ Backgrounds

Employees have unique histories, relationships and personal experiences. Some may have relatives stuck in the middle of an active crisis; others may have served in the military, experienced past trauma or moved from a crisis area. During international crises, employees’ unique backgrounds can trigger feelings of depression and anxiety, even if they aren’t directly involved in the event.

With that in mind, it’s safe to assume at least some employees will be directly or indirectly affected when an international crisis happens. This means employers should be prepared to respond to employee well-being issues whenever international crises emerge, even if the potential effects on a workforce aren’t immediately apparent.

Learn to Spot Emotional Cues

While employee reactions to an international crisis will vary, there are still common emotional signs employers can watch out for. For instance, employers can prepare for upticks in anxiety, stress, depression, irritability and reduced productivity. Managers should be trained to look out for these signals and start dialogues with employees when issues occur. Proactive conversations about well-being can help address employee issues before they worsen.

However, while proactive conversations can help in some cases, they do present potential privacy concerns. In other words, if a manager notices an employee acting out of character during times of crisis, it may not be prudent to pressure the employee into revealing their emotional triggers. Instead, managers can emphasize the confidentiality of available resources, such as professional counseling.

Express a Commitment to Compassion

When an international crisis strikes, it’s important for organizational leadership to respond to the moment. Generally, this involves a CEO or president sending a message about a workplace’s commitment to its employees during these troubling times. More specifically, messaging could elaborate on how the organization intends to support affected employees, such as through mental health counseling sessions.

Provide Safe Discussion Spaces

Employees who are experiencing distress from an international conflict may need to talk about it.

Hosting an employer-sponsored meeting space for employees to discuss their feelings can be a meaningful way to help process emotions. These groups might even be led by crisis counselors or similar professionals.

Alternatively, it can be just as important for employers to provide a space where the international crisis is not discussed at all. Such a space can offer valuable relief to employees who have been inundated with news about the event.

Offer Worthwhile Support Resources

Tangible resources can sometimes make the most difference to employees dealing with the effects of an international crisis. HR teams should communicate all available resources to employees. Potential options include employer-sponsored counseling appointments, scheduling flexibility and mental health-related informational materials.

Conclusion

International crises may not seem directly related to U.S. workplaces, but their effects can compromise employees in unique and unexpected ways. Therefore, it’s critical for HR teams to be able to support employees during these tumultuous periods.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE READING

High blood pressure, also referred to as hypertension, is known as a “silent killer” because it has no warning signs and can lead to life-threatening conditions like a heart attack or stroke. If left untreated, high blood pressure can dangerously affect your heart and the rest of your body.

The only way to know your blood pressure is to have it tested. A reading by a health care professional can determine whether you’re at risk. Thankfully, if you know your blood pressure numbers are outside the healthy range, you can take measures to get yourself back into good health.

This article explores blood pressure readings and what those numbers exactly mean for your health.

What Is Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is the amount of force it takes your heart to pump blood through your body. Your blood pressure normally rises and falls throughout the day.

High blood pressure increases your risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney disease. It can also cause damage to your brain, eyes and arteries. There are no signs or symptoms of high blood pressure, so knowing your numbers is key to good health.

You may be able to control high blood pressure through healthy lifestyle changes, including:

• Getting enough sleep
• Avoiding smoking
• Limiting alcohol intake
• Eating a diet that’s high in potassium, fiber and protein, but low in sodium and saturated fat

If needed, your doctor may prescribe medication to help regulate your blood pressure.

What Do the Numbers Mean?

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). During a reading, a health care professional will record your blood pressure as two numbers:

• The first number is your systolic blood pressure. It indicates how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls when your heart beats.
• The second number is your diastolic blood pressure. It indicates how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls while the heart is resting between beats.

While both numbers are significant, more attention is typically given to the first number—your systolic blood pressure—to figure out your risk for heart disease.

Consider the following blood pressure categories recognized by the American Heart Association:

• Normal—Less than 120 mmHg systolic and less than 80 mmHg diastolic
• Elevated—120-129 mmHg systolic and less than 80 mmHg diastolic
• High blood pressure stage 1—130-139 mmHg systolic or 80-89 mmHg diastolic
• High blood pressure stage 2—140 mmHg or higher systolic or 90 or higher mmHg diastolic
• Hypertensive crisis—Higher than 180 mmHg systolic and/or higher than 120 mmHg diastolic

If your numbers are considered high, it’s critical to immediately discuss the results with your doctor. Conversely, your doctor can also evaluate any unusually low blood pressure readings.

Summary

It’s critical to get an accurate blood pressure reading to have a clear picture of your risk for heart disease, stroke and other severe conditions. To help keep your blood pressure in a healthy range, you can also practice living healthy habits daily.

The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to get tested, so schedule a blood pressure reading with a health care professional. Your doctor can also discuss any lifestyle changes, preventive measures or monitoring efforts to improve your overall health.