Is economic uncertainty and pressure at work taking their toll on your mental health?
Anxiety and depression, feeling overwhelmed: we all need to prioritize our mental health. One way you can create better balance is to adapt your workday.
Here are some strategies to adjust your workday to give yourself the mental health breaks you need to reduce stress and anxiety:
take a mental health day
Self-care is of the utmost importance, especially when feeling overwhelmed. Taking a mental health day is advisable if you feel overwhelmed, over-stressed and burned out.
Taking a day can help you get the break you need.
Use the day to regroup, refocus, and come back to work energized. You can plan the day in advance if you notice you feel more stressed or worn down.
take your breaks away from your workspace
While you may think taking a “working break” or “working lunch” will help you accomplish more, you are not giving your mind the break it needs to recharge during the day.
Plan your breaks and lunchtime. Use this time to get away from your workspace and focus on things other than work to help you from feeling overwhelmed.
This has become even more challenging for remote workers. It is becoming increasingly difficult to separate work from home life.
take a walk
Prioritizing mental health by taking a quick walk on your lunch break. Walking can help you quickly destress, get some fresh air, and move your body. It’s an effective way to escape your workspace and break up the day.
connect with your coworkers
If you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or anxious, one of the best things you can do is to talk with others.
Your coworkers will understand the challenges and stressful situations you face. They, themselves, may be experiencing the same challenges.
Talking with them can help you destress and discuss ways to overcome the workplace stresses of the day. It can be cathartic to have a mental health talk with coworkers. It can help you know you are not alone.
Consider booking regular coffee breaks to discuss the stresses of the day.
exercise
Planning an exercise session in the middle of the day can be the ultimate stress reliever.
It can completely take your mind off work and help you destress. Exercise can help you break out of those bad posture habits, stretch and get your body moving.
Choose an exercise you enjoy to give you something to look forward to doing. Even 15-20 minutes daily can greatly affect your physical and mental health.
meditate
The ability to clear your mind is one of the most effective ways to destress and take a mental health break.
Meditation is an effective strategy to calm your mind and block out the noise. The beauty of meditation is you can do it in short intervals throughout the day. Or you can set aside a larger block of time to do it daily. Find what works for you.
Prioritizing mental health is important. How you plan your workday is a good starting point. Build in time to destress and recharge throughout the day.
Struggling to juggle work and personal life in your current job? Finding it challenging to prioritize your mental well-being? Perhaps it's a sign to explore new employment opportunities. Take a look at our available positions!
