The pandemic has had a long-lasting impact on our mental health in many ways. Beginning with working from home, many people have had to adapt their lives to this new “normal”. Many people are struggling with declining mental health due to changes in routine, unemployment, job insecurity, and a loss of support from supervisors or family systems. All these factors have led to an astronomical increase in mental health issues in the workforce. However, on the reverse side of the pendulum, this mental health depreciation has led to an open and honest dialogue between employees and their supervisors, friends and family about mental health issues, which has proven to be a welcome change to years past, where mental health was brushed aside and, in many ways, unaddressed. People have learned to assess the state of their mental health and implement the necessary coping strategies. Let’s discuss how burnout can happen in the workplace and what coping strategies we can implement to prioritize our mental health.
Stress is a part of everyday life. Knowing we cannot eliminate it, learning how to recognize the early signs of stress before we burn out is more important than ever. The inevitable pressure that follows a significant change such as office work to working remotely can be countered, even prevented if dealt with in due time. When mental health is involved, prevention is always better than reaction, so having some stress-coping techniques in your mental health toolbox is necessary. Whether you are a working professional, on a career break or in the midst of a career change, these following strategies can be very beneficial.
Spending time in nature not only alleviates your mood but can also contribute to increasing the release of serotonin to your brain. Breathing fresh air raises levels of oxygen in your brain, which will boost serotonin production, the happy hormone. Try taking a walk outside on your lunch break, bring a coworker too. You’ll find yourself more relaxed and clear-headed to prevent the afternoon brain fog.
Mens sana in corpore sano is a latin saying meaning: A healthy mind in a healthy body. This is especially true when speaking of exercise and mental health. Keeping active and fueling your body with nutritious and delicious food is imperative for the maintenance of optimal mental health. A daily walk outside is once again a wonderful way to stay fit while spending some time outdoors.
Self-care is the new buzz word of the decade. But what does self-care entail exactly? The word takes on a different meaning to each individual. Whether it is indulging in a massage, going shopping with your friends, or simply curling up with a book, self-care is one of the most important ways to foster our mental health. Self-care is spending time on becoming a more fulfilled individual, a happier, healthier member of society. Self-care is not selfish or self-indulgent. Take some time to do things that matter for you to avoid burning out at work or at home. Being able to set personal and professional boundaries, learning to say no and removing toxic relationships from one’s life are all important forms of self-care.
In order to thrive in our workplace, certain needs must be met. Some of these needs can be: recognition for one’s work, participation in decision-making and a sense of purpose and importance within the organization. They can also include: work conditions, salary and workplace relationships. The key to finding happiness at work hinges on seeking out and meeting these needs.
With May being the month of mental health awareness, it is important to take a second to assess the state of our mental health and be mindful of how our workplace and workload can affect our mood. Take time to recharge, and find the joy in your daily pleasures. Find and cherish the coworkers and friends that support you, for there is no greater ally to a healthy mind than a strong and supportive network. And laughing. Lots of laughing.