Let’s be honest – adulting is hard. Work deadlines, crazy traffic everywhere, endless virtual meetings that could have been emails, and don’t even get me started on office tea politics! Sometimes, your brain feels like it’s running Windows 95 on a 2025 workload. And yet, most of us show up at work, smile, and soldier on like everything is okay.
But guess what? It’s okay not to be okay. Mental health at the workplace isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity. Because when your mind is not okay, your work won’t be okay either.
Let’s break it down like that DJ on Friday night.
Why Mental Health at Work Matters
Whether you’re hustling in a tech startup in Westlands or running a family business in Nakuru, mental health affects productivity, creativity, and teamwork. A happy mind delivers results. A stressed one? Eh…not so much.
Poor mental health can show up as:
- Constant fatigue (even after sleeping),
- Snapping at your colleagues for no reason,
- Zoning out during meetings,
- And my personal favourite – crying in the washroom silently like a ninja.
Work-Life Balance vs. Work-Life Integration
Now here’s the tea: Most of us are trying to chase this mysterious thing called work-life balance – like it’s a unicorn in Karura Forest. But the truth is, sometimes work and life don’t balance – they blend. That’s where work-life integration comes in.
Think of it like ugali and sukuma. They may not be equal on the plate, but together, they make the meal work.
It’s okay to take a work call while waiting to pick your kids from school – but it’s also okay to say no to replying to emails at 10pm because you’re watching a telenovela or catching up with your ka-bestie.
The goal? Don’t lose yourself in the hustle. You are more than your job title.
Tips for Employees: Jipende Kidogo
Let’s start with you, the employee. You might not control everything at work, but you can take care of yourself.
1. Boundaries bana!
Just because the office WhatsApp group is active at 9pm doesn’t mean you must reply. Respect your personal time. Your brain needs a break from Excel sheets and client drama.
2. Speak Up – Si wewe pekee unastruggle
Talk to someone. A colleague, a friend, even your HR (if they’re cool). Bottling things up is how pressure cookers explode.
3. Take Your Leave (Yes, all of it!)
Some of you have 53 leave days piling up. Why? Go on that staycation, visit shags, or just sleep for a week. Rest is not laziness – it’s recovery.
4. Move Your Body
You don’t have to run the Nairobi Marathon, but a little walk, stretching, or even a TikTok dance break in the washroom helps. Movement = Mood booster.
5. Create Daily Life Moments
Life is not just for weekends. Brew your favourite tea during a break, call your mum midweek, or step out for a walk after lunch. Little joy pockets = better mental space.
Tips for Employers: It’s Not Just About ROI
Bosses, CEOs, line managers – mental wellness is not just a “nice-to-have”. It’s part of the productivity toolkit. Happy staff = better work + less drama + fewer sick-offs.
1. Normalize Mental Health Conversations
If you can talk about EPL or Brenda’s wedding every Monday, you can talk about mental wellness. Invite a counsellor. Hold mental health awareness sessions. Make it normal.
2. Flexible Work Isn’t Laziness
Maybe someone’s mental health improves when they work from home two days a week. If the work is getting done, trust your team. Flexibility isn’t a threat – it’s a modern solution.
3. Train Managers on Empathy
Let’s be honest – some managers are strictly KPI and zero emotional intelligence. Equip them with soft skills. A little empathy goes a long way.
4. Promote Work-Life Integration
Support team members in blending work with their personal lives. Allow for school runs, doctor’s appointments, or prayer breaks without guilt. You hired humans, not robots.
5. Provide Support Systems
Offer counselling services, even if it’s just once a month. Create a safe space where people can share without fear of being judged, punished, or gossiped about.
Kenyan Work Culture Needs a Mental Health Makeover
In Kenya, we’ve been conditioned to “keep pushing” and “tough it out”. But sometimes, pushing through leads to burnout, depression, or serious health issues. Hustling is okay. But hustling until you break down? Si sawa.
Let’s create workplaces where we can laugh, cry, vent, heal, and grow. Because when we show up as our full selves – mentally, emotionally, physically – everybody wins.
Final Word: Balance the Hustle, Live the Life
Mental health is not just for those with a “serious issue”. It’s daily hygiene for your brain. Like brushing your teeth. Or scrolling TikTok when you should be working (we see you ).
So, as we chase dreams, build empires, and reply to emails with “Kind regards”, let’s not forget to check in with ourselves and each other.
Hii hustle ni real – but your whole life matters more.
Let’s Create Mentally Healthy Workplaces – Together
At Fanisi HR Services, we’re passionate about building workplaces where people thrive, not just survive.
We offer customised mental health and wellness training for teams, line managers, and leadership, focusing on:
- Stress management & burnout prevention
- Building a culture of psychological safety
- Work-life balance and integration practices
- Practical tools for employee wellbeing and resilience
Whether you’re just starting the conversation or want to deepen your company’s wellness strategy, we’re here to walk the journey with you.
Let’s talk. Email us at info@fanisi.net or visit www.fanisi.net to book a consultation.
Because when your people flourish, your business follows.