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A deep belief that mental health services for professionals could be delivered more effectively prompted clinical and organisational psychologist Rajna Bogdanovic to found her company Optimally.
Formerly known as First Response Health, Rajna says that proactive wellbeing services services are often provided too little and too late.
Rajna had seen first-hand how job pressure – particularly in roles with high demand and low control – negatively impact on people’s mental and physical health.
“Grinding through using willpower and intellect just won’t cut it,” she says.
Instead, Optimally develops and implements proactive wellbeing strategies for individuals and organisations. More recently Optimally has added an employee assistance programme to its offering.
The team’s focus is on the professional services sector, including law firms.
Rajna says Optimally’s proactive approach is backed by science.
“You cannot wait until you’re unwell,” she says. “The science and research are clear that a focus on early preventative intervention reduces the incidence and severity of mental and physical health problems.”
While Rajna thought her career would lead her to provide psychological services in private practice or in hospitals dealing with individuals, after graduating she quickly realised that she wanted to work with groups and systems.
And after time working for United Nation’s international criminal courts, she realised she wanted to work with lawyers.
“I love working with professional services – specifically lawyers,” says Rajna. “They are receptive to optimising their mental and physical health.”
However, Rajna says it is important that lawyers, like all professional services, create sustainable practice.
“You only have one life and it’s important to think about the sustainability of it,” she says. “You need to work out how to make the best use of your time and create long term sustainable physical and mental health.”
“It’s not sustainable to work at pace and under pressure day after day. Everyone needs to include rest and recovery in their day.”
Rajna explains that our bodies follow an ultradian rhythm – a natural cycle in which we alternate between periods of heightened focus and energy, followed by phases of rest and recovery.
“Honouring these rhythms by taking short breaks throughout the day can help sustain focus, energy, and overall performance,” she says.
Options include:
“Whatever you decide to do, your body will thank you for it,” she says.
Having self-awareness is also important, says Rajna.
“Before starting your workday, take five minutes to intentionally reflect on what lies ahead and identify practical strategies to manage potential stressors,” she says.
Rajna says good questions to ask include:
Having a pre-emptive strategy to deal with situational stress will help you to feel much better physically and psychologically, says Rajna.
“You know your own triggers,” she says. “So, before you get to work have a think about the day ahead and how you could manage them. It’s not just about getting through; it’s about being proactive and having strategies to look after your mental wellbeing.”
“Ask yourself the question, how am I going to physically and psychologically manage my day. And that includes how you’re going to rest and recover at the end of it.”
Find out about the Optimising Performance and Wellbeing webinar series, presented by the New Zealand Law Society Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa in partnership with workplace wellbeing services provider Optimally.
Optimising Performance and Wellbeing webinars
The New Zealand Law Society Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa in partnership with Optimally, is presenting a five-part webinar series entitled Optimising Performance and Wellbeing. Register for the next session.
