How to Take Care of your Mental Health While Working

By Tamiera Vandegrift on July 22, 2019

We live in a world where we’re expected to put our careers and our work over our mental health. In reality, it is more important to take care of your mental health than it is to meet a deadline. By breaking the cycle of an unhealthy work-life balance, you will actually perform better at work and overall live a happier life. There are many ways to take care of your mental health without sacrificing your hard work and dedication to your job. The trick is to work hard and work harder at taking care of yourself at the same time. It sounds tricky, but it’s definitely not altogether impossible nor is it too much of a challenge. So, keep reading for tips on how to take care of your mental health while working.

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Manage Your Stress Levels

There is definitely a lot of pressure to be an absolutely perfect workaholic in order to impress your supervisor and be a great employee, but it’s more important to take care of your mental health first. If you don’t you will find yourself stressed out, overwhelmed, and unable to perform your job as well.

So, never be afraid to step away from your desk for a bit. It might seem scary and unproductive to do so, but it will help you clear your mind and get more work done in the long run. Grab a little snack from the break room. Spark up a conversation with a coworker. Make a run to a nearby cafe or coffee shop to pick up a small treat. You certainly deserve it.

Decorate Your Office Space

There are many benefits of making your workplace into a space that makes you feel good and productive. If you work at a desk or a cubicle, add a plant or some work-appropriate pictures and posters to fill up the walls. Fill up a jar with colorful candies to reward yourself for a job well done. A huge part of taking care of your mental health is creating a space that’s pleasant to spend long periods of time in. Working in an area that’s well-decorated will put you in a better frame of mind than working in a place with bare walls and an empty desktop. Decorating your office space can be as big of a project as you want it to be. Whether you want to add a small plant to breathe life into the room, or if you want to cover your walls with a ton of photographs and posters, it’s all up to you to create a space that will make you happy. A happy, positive office is a great way to take care of your mental health.

Keep A Healthy Work-Life Balance

It doesn’t matter if you work in the most fast-paced, high-pressure environment. You cannot take care of your mental health without maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Never be afraid to say no or ask for help before taking on more work when you already have

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Image via: Pexels

enough on your plate. Never bite off more than you can chew, or you’ll choke yourself. Make time for things that give you joy outside of work, like exercise, reading, spending time with friends, and visiting with family. It’s also important to take care of your physical health by getting some form of physical activity every day and eating healthy meals. Remembering to prioritize your mental health by putting boundaries between work and your life outside of work is crucial for taking care of yourself. Yes, you can have a life outside of work.

Making sure to take care of your mental health is the most important full-time job you’ll ever have. Your state of mind will always matter and should never be put second. Be sure to communicate your feelings with a friend and/or family member you can trust and never bottle up your feelings. Allow yourself to feel your emotions without shame or judgment. If it all becomes too overwhelming, there is no shame in contacting a mental health professional for guidance and support. The most important thing you can do throughout your life is to make sure you take time to take care of your mental health, your physical health, and your emotional health. By doing so, you will impress your supervisor with your hard work, while also maintaining a happier, healthier lifestyle.

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