The COVID-19 outbreak has impacted many areas of our lives, including mental health. Lockdown and physical distancing measures have been one major effective intervention to counter the spread of the virus and reduce the impact of the disease. However, they have negatively impacted mental well-being and behaviors, either triggering the onset of new psychiatric symptoms and diseases or amplifying pre-existing ones. The pandemic and lockdown measures have also been associated with reduced access to treatment and facilities all over the world, further worsening mental health outcomes. The impact on mental health, although universal, varied between nations. Cultural and societal variables, including norms, values, religion, and stigma have played an important role in shaping COVID-19-related mental health symptoms, including anxiety, depression, grief, psychosis, and addiction. These sociocultural factors have also molded how mental health interventions are tailored and provided. Highlighting the intertwining relationship between the pandemic, mental health, and sociocultural factors are essential to managing emerging mental health symptoms adequately.

Creativity meets mental health in this empowering and playful guide to self-care and wellbeing, with 50 inspiring prescriptions anyone can try. You don't have to be good at art for art to be good for you. Being creative is good for us: it lowers our stress hormones, calms our nervous system and can get us into a flow state. Our innate creativity is part of being human, but it's easy to forget, especially since many of us have been told that we are 'no good' at art. At a time when mental health challenges are on the rise and support systems are stretched, Creative First Aid is your practical guide to taking matters into your own hands, literally. It's about the proven positive effects of making something – a garden, a story, a meal, a drawing – and the powerful interaction this process can have on your mental, emotional and physical state. It's about being curious, playful, creative and full of self-compassion – even more so when life gets messy. Based on scientific evidence and a program shown to improve mental wellbeing for first responders and traumatised communities, this inspiring book empowers you with awareness and simple creative tools that can open a door to experiencing delight, awe and joy each and every day. It includes stories from those who have found their way through trauma, anxiety, grief and chronic illness, as well as 50 creative prescriptions you can try, with some taking just a couple of minutes. Creative First Aid is your roadmap for how to look after yourself on tough days, amazing days – and all the days in between.

Master's Thesis from the year 2023 in the subject Leadership and Human Resources - Recruiting, grade: 1,0, , language: English, abstract: What will happen if there aren't enough talents to fill the market in the future due to the demographical change? This study focuses on the potential of offering 100% remote work to counteract the workforce shortage in Germany. An empirical study has been conducted as an online survey to gain an overview of Germany's 100% remote job market. In a fast-changing world, digital transformation has become an evitable process for companies to adapt to new technologies and market trends. The digital transformation in Germany has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, positively and negatively. On the one hand, the pandemic forced German companies to embrace new technology more quickly and adapt to remote work. However, on the other hand, it pointed out Germany's weaknesses in digital infrastructures and cybersecurity. Additionally, many German companies face a shortage of workers due to digital transformation. Another reason that causes workforce shortage is demographical change. Companies cannot operate their business correctly, increase revenue, or drive innovations to survive in a competitive market without suitable candidates. Furthermore, the digital revolution shaped the current digital generations, as potential workers exhibit different digital behaviors and preferences. Therefore, companies must know them and their work preferences to fill the workforce shortage gap. Remote working as a sub-trend of the mega trend New Work has become the new standard for workers, especially since the pandemic. However, there aren't any specific regulations regarding remote work in Germany yet. In general, remote work provides workers, e.g., more freedom and a better work-life balance. Nevertheless, remote work also has the downside, such as workers experiencing isolation and loneliness due to the lack of social contact with co-workers, less productivity outside of the office, etc. For companies, offering remote work gives them complete access to the talent pools, including freelancers as external workers, reducing costs due to fewer offices; being more attractive to job seekers. But on the other side, remote leadership has become a big challenge for leaders. Furthermore, companies have to deal more with cyber security. When everything's going remotely, companies have become an easier target of cyber-attacks.