The modern work environment is a hectic place! Sometimes, it can feel like taking care of your mental health needs to play second fiddle to meeting deadlines. But taking care of yourself at work is essential for everyone involved: You can only show up as your best self when you are happy, confident and relaxed.  

Here are our tips to help you navigate the challenges of the workplace without burning out. Know that taking care of yourself is incredibly personal, what works for you may not work for another person. That being said, the general principles below will hopefully guide you towards better approaches to handle your stress at work.

Set clear boundaries for self-care at work

A healthy work-life balance can feel difficult to achieve when every week at work feels like “the” hectic week. Set yourself clear boundaries for work hours and leisure time ahead of the week. Blocking off clear “clock-off” times and sticking to them will help you to keep yourself in balance.

Make sure that, when you do leave your desk, you’re both physically and emotionally away from it by disconnecting your devices from work emails and resisting the urge to bring work home with you. Remember that your downtime is sacred.

Be the change you want to see

A modern workplace culture and its management practices should support its employees’ mental health. Good approaches to help wellbeing might be recognition for your work, education and upskilling, and also operating open-door policies between members of staff.

If you find yourself in an environment that doesn’t implement open, supportive work practices, we recommend taking this up with your line manager. Advocating for positive change at work is a meaningful way to make a difference for others and keep your own mental wellbeing secure. Some effective and easy ways to establish a supportive work environment can be:

• Being mindful of colleagues’ needs by listening actively
• Promoting the importance of diverse opinions when making decisions
• Encouraging open dialogue about work and project changes

How to take care of yourself at work

A healthy body is a healthy mind. Implementing small changes can make a big difference in your overall happiness:

• Take short breaks: You are entitled to 20 minutes every four hours, so use them! Take the stairs or go for a walk; physical activity is a natural stress buster.
• Exercise at your desk: If you can’t leave the office, or you’re waiting for an important phone call, make sure to do a few exercises at your desk to keep your circulation flowing.
• Use tried and tested techniques: Mindfulness and relaxation techniques can help keep workplace anxiety at bay. Some people need an app to guide them in relaxation, while others just need a quiet space alone. Try each approach to find the one that suits you best.
• Talk to your colleagues: When we’re knee-deep in a project, it can be easy to feel the need to isolate ourselves to get the job done. But communication and empathy are the glue that holds teams together, and talking can make a problem seem much more surmountable!
• Remember to smile: You will come across as approachable and friendly, which will help you build stronger professional relationships. Smiling has also been found to make us happier!

Know the warning signs of burnout, and take action if necessary

Be vigilant for warning signs of burnout. If you find yourself constantly tired, struggling to sleep (or sleeping too much), or getting irritable with your colleagues, you may be on a slippery slope to burning out. When you feel this way, it is important to seek support from colleagues or even a professional.

Caught early enough, you might find alternative coping methods for burnout in flexible work arrangements or even mental health support programs inside the firm. If you need more help, we recommend that you do not try to “grin and bear it” but seek professional advice. A problem is much easier solved when recognised and tackled early on.

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Your mental health is a priority, not a luxury. What wellbeing practices do you already implement at work?

We’re running a series of posts on mental health this month on our social media channels. Connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram, and let’s keep the conversation going about making positive changes to the workplace.