According to the mental health charity, Mind, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year. Not only this, but work-related stress can aggravate an existing mental health problem, or spiral into one if not treated.
With the year that we have all had- the uncertainty, the lack of routine, the anxiety, fear, and stress- it is extremely important that we look after ourselves whilst we are at work. Here are 5 interesting ways you can look after yourself during the working day.
1.Make the most of your breaks
A whopping 82% of employees admit to not always taking their breaks at work, instead opting for convenience foods and a working lunch. Whilst the majority of us might be working from home, it is super important to make the most of our breaks. Screen breaks are critical to our eye health after staring at a screen for hours, even if it’s just for a couple of minutes whilst you make a coffee. Make the most of your breaks by getting some fresh air and doing a little walk for some time.
2.Be proactive
Be proactive in your methods for looking after yourself. When planning your day, notice if anything might stress you out more than usual or trigger a response. You don’t have to avoid doing it by any means, but establishing the trigger event means you can plan self-care into your schedule right after that task or meeting.
3.Employee benefits
See if your workplace offers any employee benefits like a wellbeing program. These apps can be downloaded onto your smartphone and accessed 24/7. Well-being programs can help you to receive targeted support for any mental health concerns, whether they are work-related or at home.
4.Speak to your boss
If work is really stressing you out and getting you down, then talk to your employer. This can be scary, especially as speaking to someone about your mental health can be hard enough as it is, never mind that person being your boss! However, open and frank discussions such as these can allow you to work through any kind of adjustments that could make your work life easier. This could mean flexible working hours or just offering a quiet area in the office to sit and breathe during times of stress.
5.Strike a good work-life balance
Most importantly, you need to strike a good work-life balance. We have all heard the phrase ‘work hard, play hard’, but what if this was work enough, play enough’! Don’t sacrifice your home life by working too hard and burning yourself out, and conversely, don’t party too hard with your kids that you can’t focus at work!
Work can have a huge impact on our mental health, especially in unprecedented times such as these. However, you are feeling, it is important to look after your mental wellbeing. If you are struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out for help, and don’t be afraid to spend some quality time looking after yourself.
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