Caring for your mental health is extremely important when it comes to living a fulfilling life. But in the working world we often forget about taking care of our mental health.
Mental Health has become more widely spoken about in recent years but it’s up to us to make it a priority. Poor mental health can lead to a lack of motivation, difficulty getting out of bed and overall unhappiness.
The working world can be stressful. There are both internal and external pressures placed upon you which become even more intense if you work in a fast-paced environment.
Prolonged stress and overexertion can result in burnout, which can be a lot more difficult to bounce back from. In fact, mental health is responsible for more than 50% of employee absences. And in some cases, it can even lead to physical illness. This is why promoting employee wellbeing is so important for businesses.
Luckily, there are many ways for us to take care of our mental health.
The Difference Between Mental Health and Mental Illness
Something less spoken about is mental illness. Mental health is something everyone needs to take into account and can often be managed on your own. Not taking care of your mental health can make you more susceptible to mental illness.
Mental illness is when there is a deeper problem that often requires outside assistance. If poor mental health starts to affect your ability to function and perform daily tasks over a long period of time, you might be facing mental illness. If you suspect you’re struggling with mental illness, there are plenty of resources available. There is help available and you’re not alone.
Tips for Taking Care of Your Mental Health
Keeping your mental health in a positive space requires mindfulness and consistent efforts. If you don’t take care of yourself, your mental health will deteriorate. But self care doesn’t require hours of effort. Spending even 5 minutes a day can do wonders for your body and mind.
Mindfulness
Being mindful involves complete awareness of the present moment and everything that comes with it. In the working world we are often operating in the future, stressing about all we need to get done, meeting deadlines
Meditation
Apps like Headspace, Calm and Insight Timer are great places to find some beautiful meditations. Meditating for just 5 minutes a day can do wonders for your mental wellbeing and prevent burnout. This practice has countless benefits that can help you in the workplace.
If you’re having a particularly stressful day, battling fatigue or feeling overwhelmed, it can be a great idea to head outside or sit somewhere quiet and try to meditate.
Yoga
Movement does wonders for your mental wellbeing. Yoga combines movement, mindfulness, breathing and meditation making it the perfect way to take care of your mental health. Many people around the world swear by their yoga practice and the benefits that come from it.
Yoga helps you to improve your body awareness, learn about your mind and creates space for you to heal and grow. Plus, stretching is a great way to release any tension built up in your body.
Journaling and Reflection
Creating time for your thoughts is important. Not only can this increase your awareness but it can be done at your desk.
If you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed or demotivated, spend some time writing or reflecting about why. It could be related to a lack of sleep, tight deadlines, noisy coworkers, unrealistic expectations or a lack of enjoyment. From here you can find ways to change things.
Taking some time to reflect on what’s happening in your mind and body is an important part of managing your mental health.
Let it Out
Stress leads to a build up of tension that needs to be released. Allocate some time for yourself each week to let out that tension. This can be through sporting activities like boxing or running. You can try dancing out your frustrations, sing loudly on your way to work or really let it out by screaming or shouting (whether into a pillow, underwater while swimming or off a rooftop).
Make Time for Fun
As adults in the working world we often forget about fun. Think about what you love, what makes you happy and feel free. Then go and do it.
Don’t be afraid to be playful, experiment and connect with your inner child.
Ideas for fun
- Try an aerial yoga class
- Try something new
- Head to a theme park, water park or trampoline park
- Try a game of Padel
- Go for a swim
- Head to a rage room
- Make plans with friends
- Go for a drive
- Create some art
- Go to the spa
- Go skydiving
- Play games
- Dance
- Sing
Prioritising your Mental Health
Work forms a large part of most of our lives but that doesn’t mean it should be our whole lives. Taking care of your mental health means stepping away from work so that you can perform to the best of your ability.
