Prioritizing Mental Health at Home and Work

Mental health is a trending topic as of late, for a good reason. The past several months have presented quite a few challenges. Despite these obstacles, you have the power to reduce your anxiety, depression and increase your mental well-being. Let’s explore some of these strategies in honor of World Mental Health Day (Oct. 10, 2021).

Mental Health at Work

Work has been linked to one of the highest stress areas over the past 20 months. Challenges related to COVID have been particularly felt in the workplace. And while some of these challenges are beyond us, it’s possible to make them more manageable. 

Take Breaks

Short pauses in your workday are vital to recharge your batteries, and even a 10-minute break has been shown to reduce burnout and stress. Still, some folks do not take them for fear of missing out on important work. However, studies have shown that far from impacting your output, breaks can increase productivity. 

Struggling with ideas on what to do during that break? Check out this link: https://www.verywellmind.com/why-you-should-take-a-break-3144576.

Connect

Take a moment to connect with your coworkers. We are all in this together. Make sure to take care of your coworkers and engage with them about more than work. These connections can lead to a more fulfilling workday by creating stronger bonds with our colleagues, so take advantage of opportunities to share a lunch break or organize a team outing. 

Know Your Limits

Avoiding work fatigue begins by knowing your limits and communicating them with your colleagues and supervisors. While it may be tempting to push oneself to show your resilience, it can quickly lead to burnout, and ultimately, unproductivity. Simply put, communicate with your team, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. 

Mental Health at Home

We love our family and friends, but they can also be a source of stress. Here are a few mainstay strategies to reduce pressure at home, and in turn, boost your mental health.

Focus on Quality Time

Technology has made it possible to be connected with friends and family 24/7, but these virtual connections are no substitute for the real thing. Make time to see your loved ones by planning a game night, a barbecue, or any other events you will enjoy. Just a short amount of face-to-face interaction can increase mental health. 

Vacation

Another great way to rejuvenate your mind and increase bonds with those closest to us is to take a trip. All you need is a weekend or a day of adventures to rekindle those relationships. If you need some inspiration, we suggest checking out this list of adventure ideas. 

Small Steps Toward Positive Mental Health

Making strides to improve your mental well-being doesn’t have to be an arduous task. You can make small changes that will have a big impact. Here are three easy steps you can take. 

Reduce Your Screen Time

Cutting back on your time spent on social media is an easy, proven way to boost your mental health significantly. Start small by setting aside social media time (whatever length of time you’re comfortable with) and not engaging outside of that allotted time. Gradually reduce your social media window, ideally trying to reach a maximum of 30 minutes per day. 

Exercise

You may know exercise can impact your physical health, but it can also greatly boost your mental health. A 15-minute walk, cleaning the house, or playing with your kiddos can relieve tension and overall stress. As you start to feel more physically fit, your mental health will follow suit. 

Eat Well 

Similarly, eating right can supercharge your body’s ability to deal with stress. And it doesn’t require a full-scale shift in your diet, but small, smart choices. Specifically, look for ways to incorporate whole grains, vegetables, and fruits into your eating habits. 

Look to the Professionals

While these tactics will support mental health, nothing is more powerful than meeting with a mental health professional. They can provide cognitive behavior therapy that caters to your specific needs. A good place to begin is with your friends and family. Ask for recommendations from those you trust most and review your workplace benefits. Some employers, such as FirstBank, offer access to trained counselors that can help at no cost to you. 

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