Workplace Wellness: How to Safeguard Your Mental Health at Work

Mental health has been a part of conversations in the workplace now more than ever, which is a great improvement. But there is still a lot of room for improvements.

Being proactive against anything that may compromise your mental health is important for your overall well-being. On that note, we have listed down some ways that you can safeguard your mental health at work.

Delegate tasks

When you’re in your office, you aren’t a solitary being or a lone wolf who should expect that they can do all things all the time. This burden can make you feel unappreciated and can end up with you overworked and ultimately unproductive.

That is the reason you need to learn how to delegate tasks between your coworkers, especially if you’re a leader in the workplace. Although you might want to have complete control over the results of your work, it’s a waste of time and a massive source of stress to be burdened with a ton of work all the time.

Do yourself that favour and delegate your tasks properly.

Have a support system

No man is an island, as the old saying goes. So make sure that you don’t isolate yourself during times of need.

Having the right support system to help you when you’re feeling stressed is important to unload some of your mental burdens. Plus, it’s a great way of allowing your friends to be a friend.

Although a lot of people may feel like they don’t want to burden others with their issues, simply being in the presence of someone during trying times can be good enough to alleviate a lot of your stress.

Knowing that you have a support system ready for you can be a huge help in de-stressing your mind.

Get moving

Exercise helps your body create happy hormones to uplift your mood. That is one of the reasons people are encouraged to exercise.

You don’t have to do high-intensity exercises to stimulate your brain to release endorphins. You can try walking around the office for a while or maybe during your lunch if you’ve got time. Actually, even tidying up and cleaning around the office is decent exercise and gets your body moving.

Being stuck in one place like near your desk can be tedious and dreary and doesn’t help. Don’t get into the habit of having lunch on your work desk because it doesn’t get you up and moving from the office.

Go off the grid

Another factor that contributes to the decline of one’s mental health can be the repeated exposure to social media or any sort of technology.

In your office, you are more likely than not to be in front of computers. So when you’re at home, you should try your best to avoid any computer interactions to give your brain the rest it deserves.

If you can, during your vacations, instead of staying cooped up at home, try to seek out activities that help you get out of looking at your phone or computers. As much as possible, look for a chance to commune with nature so you can breathe in the fresh air and bask under much-needed sunlight.

Take breaks

Another reason you may be finding that your mental health is declining is that you’re not taking the breaks that you should be taking.

Vacation leaves are your rights as an employee, and you should be using them as much as you can. When you’re on your vacation leave, don’t check up on the work that you’ve left behind. Otherwise, what is the point of you taking your vacation when you’re going to work remotely anyway.

Also, make sure that you take your lunch not on your desk or that you shouldn’t have a working lunch. That is another form of break that your brain needs so don’t overwork yourself and relax.

Maintain an organized workspace

The importance of having an organized workspace does not only relate to how productive you can be. It also relates to your overall mental well-being.

In fact, a lot of commercial cleaning professionals like to emphasize that an organized workspace has tremendous benefits to one’s overall mood. Due to the clutter that you find on your desk, you may be much more distracted from your work.

Aside from that, clutter can make you feel claustrophobic, especially if you have a smaller workspace. Maintaining an organized workspace, not only will help your productivity but it will also improve your general outlook over your work.

Leave work on time

In the modern world’s work culture, a lot of people think that if you’re not working long hours, then you’re not working hard enough. This is untrue, and it is a false narrative that is damaging a lot of working people’s mindset.

As soon as it’s time for you to leave, then leave. Don’t work overtime unless it’s needed. It rarely ever is anyway. Even if your coworkers aren’t leaving work on time, as long as you’ve finished all of your tasks in the workday, then you should go.

That will make sure that you are ready to face the next workday because you are refreshed and have gotten the rest that you deserve.

Change your outlook

Although it can be ignorant to tell people to “be happy” during times of stress, try to change your perspective a bit as much as possible. For example, if you find that you’re apologizing for every little thing, then all you need to do is change your apologies into expressions of gratitude.

Small behavioural changes, when they accumulate, can positively affect your overall mood in the workplace. However, if you have more serious issues, then don’t be afraid to seek the help of professionals who can better guide you on your next step towards better mental health.

Avoid bad habits

Sometimes, bad habits are the reason why our mental health is deteriorating.

For example, if there is a smoking culture in your workplace, then perhaps it’s time to step back a bit and reevaluate how much you need to smoke. Maybe you find that you tend to work late, which makes you sleep late, which makes you almost late for work.

Work on reversing these bad habits instead of avoiding them. Set up small goals for yourself and if you don’t immediately get the hang of things, don’t worry. As long as you’re doing something to work through your bad habits, then you are doing better than before.

Wrap up

It can be a challenge to maintain a positive mental outlook. But keep in mind that nothing in life is easy. Much like your physical well-being, keeping your mental wellness in check will also take a lot of work.

By taking a proactive approach to your mental health, then you are ensuring a better mental improvement for current and future self.

About the author

Raymond Chiu is the Director of Operations for MaidSailors.com, the leading commercial cleaning services in NYC. Maid Sailors take pride in providing outstanding office cleaning services at affordable prices. Maid Sailors helps workplaces transform into spotless places.

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Tags: Mental Health