Allow your mind and body to rest and reset for a while. This advice is applicable to our lives at all ages. Sometimes we don’t realize how important It is to take care of ourselves during the workday, not just after hours. So, here are some suggestions for how to care for your mental health at work.
We all have our good days and bad days. Everyone has their own version of the blues, whether it’s a long day at work, a tough deadline, or something personal. It’s easy to feel lonely and alone when work feels like a battleground. You might be surprised to hear that there isn’t much conversation on how to look after your mental health at workplaces. This makes sense when you think about it—while it’s important to take care of your health, it’s not usually something that’s discussed at work. You can take an off if you’re physically ill, but what about your mental health? Work is an important component of many of our lives. It is where we spend the majority of our time, where we earn our money, and where we usually develop friendships. Having a career that you enjoy can be beneficial to your mental health and overall well-being. When we enjoy good mental health, we have a sense of purpose and direction, the energy to do the things we want to do, and the ability to deal with the problems that life throws at us.
It should come as no surprise that, in a world where we spend the bulk of our time at work, our mental health has an impact on our professional performance, just as our profession has an impact on our mental health. We’ve all experienced instances when we’ve felt down, stressed, or anxious at work. Most of the time, those sensations pass, but they can occasionally turn into a mental health issue such as anxiety or depression, which can have an influence on our work culture and everyday life. Mental health issues can grow complex for certain people, necessitating lifelong assistance and therapy.
However, there are a plethora of ways available to support you to overcome your mental health issues. There has been a surge in conversations around mental well-being at workplaces and therefore, more people are becoming perceptive to others’ needs. Here are some ways you can keep your mental health in check at your workplace:
1. Talk it out
Talking about your emotions can help you maintain your mental health and cope with difficult situations. It isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s an important part of taking control of your health and doing everything you can to be well. Choose someone with whom you feel at ease, listen carefully, and who will be encouraging. Consider what you want to reveal, who you want to tell it to, and when and where would be appropriate to do so. It can be difficult to discuss feelings at work. It will be great if you have coworkers who you can speak to or an understanding boss. If you can’t find someone like that at your workplace, do not hesitate to reach out to a counselor or a friend.
2. Keep in touch
We don’t always get to choose who we work with, and if we don’t get along with our bosses, coworkers, or clients, it can be stressful. It’s possible that you’ll need to practise extra self-care throughout these times. Our mental health is dependent on our relationships. Working in a supportive team is hugely important for our mental health at work. Even when work is demanding, try to maintain your friendships and family interactions — a work–life balance is very essential.
3. Learn to say NO
It’s crucial to know how much work you can handle at any time so you don’t overwork yourself – but it’s even more important to take care of it during a period of poor mental health. Of course, it’s natural to want to satisfy your boss and coworkers by taking on a lot of projects and responsibilities and doing a good job, but there are times when you can only be at your best if you don’t take on too much. Saying ‘no’ when you should and at the earliest chance is one crucial skill for managing workplace stress and the diverse range of demands.
4. Create some boundaries
With today’s technology, we can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week, which can lead to a toxic, “always-available” attitude. Set some boundaries to keep yourself from not being able to truly relax while you’re away from work and feeling like you can’t ignore the business notifications that show up on your phone. Simple measures like avoiding working through lunch and leaving work on time will help you set some boundaries and keep your work within the office. Avoid checking or responding to business emails after hours. Don’t check them before going to bed, over the weekend, or while you’re on vacation.
PRIORITIES YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
Taking care of your mental health at work begins with taking care of your mental health in general and ends with taking care of your mental health at work. In Long-term, developing excellent practices to help protect your mental health will pay off.
Start putting these principles into action in your life right now. It’s easy to let work dominate how you feel, but with a little time and effort, you can reclaim control and work toward positive wellness at work and at home.
