Ways to Support your Mental Health at Work
As we are amid the winter season, cold weather and the shortness of days can dramatically affect an individual’s mood. For those suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), commonly known as seasonal depression, the winter months can be extremely hard to endure— affecting an individual’s productivity, attitude, and day-to-day life. During the winter months, those suffering from SAD may have difficulty physically and emotionally at work due to the long working days and decreased daylight hours that are experienced. Let’s explore ways in which you can support your mental health at work in order to safeguard your health and wellbeing.
What is seasonal affective disorder?
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression associated with changes in seasons. Those with SAD begin to experience symptoms in the late fall or early winter that do not go away until the spring or summer. Typically, symptoms include feelings of sadness, lack of energy, fatigue, and social withdrawal. According to Boston University, approximately 10 million Americans struggle with SAD.
How can you support your mental health at work?
If you tend to feel down during the winter season, you may be one of over ten million people that struggle with SAD. With a form of depression like SAD all facets of an individual’s life can be upended, making it harder for a person to be productive, focused, and happy— especially at work. Getting through a regular workday can already be stressful, but with a mental health issue like seasonal depression work can feel like an exhausting battle. Here are some ways in which you can support your mental health at work as the winter season rolls upon us:
Start your day off right
Your morning routine is crucial towards preparing you for a successful day. Research has shown that immediately checking your phone when you wake up can increase feelings of stress and anxiety— leaving you to begin your workday feeling overwhelmed and discouraged. To prepare yourself for a successful day, it would be beneficial to steer clear of your phone and focus on activities that can promote your peace and wellbeing. Starting your day off by exercising, saying positive affirmations, practicing breathing techniques, journaling, mediating, or praying are all some great ways to support your mental health before you begin your workday. Your morning routine sets the tone for how positive and successful your day will be; so, it is important to spend your morning focusing on activities that can alleviate your stress and increase your happiness.
Express your feelings
Talking about how you feel to a trusted friend, family member, or therapist is one of the best ways to improve your mental health. Expressing how you feel can release an immense burden and lighten the weight of what you’re carrying — giving you the opportunity to process your emotions and clear your mind. If you would like to talk about your feelings, but do not feel comfortable doing so with a friend or family member, you can discuss how you feel with a licensed therapist. Before you consult a therapist, you should look into the specific services and programs that are provided to you by your place of employment. Some employers provide mental health resources to employees that you could utilize to your advantage. These resources could be free/subsidized sessions with a licensed therapist or free/subsidized lifestyle coaching and self-management programs. Talking to someone about how you feel is important towards improving your mental health, and doing so will potentially make you happier and more productive throughout your workweek.
Make the most of your day off
Your days off from work are critical towards strengthening and maintaining your mental health. If you have a regular 40-hour work week, you know that weekends are your time to sit back and relax. Sometimes work may feel like a repetitive and continuous cycle, but your days off act as an opportune time for you to focus on yourself and the things that bring you joy. Rather than staying home all day, change your scenery and explore new areas. For instance, you could venture to the beach and hear the waves as they crash back and forth, or you could visit your local park and take in the divine and simplistic views of nature. Changing your scenery is an effective tool to utilize that can improve your mental health at work. On your days off you could also spend time on hobbies that you are interested in, or you can reach out to friends and family and spend time connecting with them. Your days off are an important time for you to recuperate and refocus. Taking this time to do the things that bring you joy will help you to improve your mental health when at work.
Change can be good!
Although there are many ways to support your mental health in the workplace, sometimes your workplace can simply become and toxic and unhealthy environment. If you are finding yourself in a negative work environment it may be time to find a new job that will be more supportive of your mental health! Ready to find a job with the right work environment for you? Reach out today to start working with one of our incredible recruiters or start browsing through our hundreds of open positions!