Five tips to improve mental health in the workplace

Being burnt-out is not a badge of honour. We all work under enormous stress and taking care of your mental wellbeing is essential to ensure good decision-making, productivity, and creativity. Ensure your mental wellbeing by:

• Take regular breaks: Work 50 minutes and then take a 10-minute break. Make use of short interval breaks rather than one extended break and go for a quick walk. This increases blood flow to the brain which results in better cognitive functioning and improved memory.
• Reach out: Mental health discussion should not be seen as taboo. It is easy to feel isolated even when you are surrounded by co-workers every day. The thing is you are most likely not alone. So do not be afraid to reach out and talk to your co-workers. Building relationships with your co-workers can make your work experience more enjoyable and less lonely.
• Manifest positivity: Sometimes we get overwhelmed by workloads or deadlines but manifesting a positive attitude could make all the difference. When things get tough, remember to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. This will allow you to have moments of clarity whilst improving your ability to cope in stressful situations.
• Set-up Schedules: Huge workloads with deadlines might seem like a daunting task at first that could evoke fear and stress. An easy way to prevent this is to setup a schedule which will help you break down the workload into smaller sections. Micromanaging the workload, this way will help you keep track of everything that needs to be done as well as when it needs to be done.
• Seek professional assistance: It is important to look after your mental health so seeking professional help should always be welcomed. Remember that there is nothing wrong with seeing a psychologist to help you overcome mental struggles.

By Dr. Gustaaf Wolvaardt