People often say that you should “leave your personal life at home” when you’re coming into the office to work. Reality tells a different story. What happens at home impacts every part of our lives and what happens at work does the same thing. Our overall mental health will have a large impact on everything we do. So, what do we do to be mentally healthy? How do we manage stress, no matter the source?
If you do an internet search you will find a plethora of tools and studies on how to manage stress in your life and even more on how to incorporate healthy mental habits into your life. There are apps you can download. There are online therapists you can sign up to talk to without ever having to meet them in-person if you don’t want to. If money is the cause of your stress, there are financial apps and tools in abundance to help you manage your finances. A lot of employers even offer an EAP, Employee Assistance Program, to help you with any mental health issues you have.
My personal perspective for maintaining a healthy outlook, use the tools available to you.
Use Your EAP.
If your workplace offers an Employee Assistance Program, take advantage of that benefit. (Wallace offers this to all employees!) It’s confidential – your employer doesn’t know who uses it, only that it’s there to help. And if you need more sessions than the EAP covers, most will refer you to someone within your healthcare plan to continue visits.
Don’t know if your company has this program? Find your HR department and ask. They know and can give information about the resources available to you.
Find Your Outlet.
Think about what helps you relieve stress. Maybe you love to read, run, paint or get outdoors. There’s no right or wrong answer to this. Personally, reading is my stress relief and escape, but I also love to crochet and create pretty things. Find what brings you happiness and make space for it regularly.
Lean on Your People.
Sometimes, a good talk with a friend, partner, sibling or parent is all you need to begin working through what’s stressing you. Don’t be afraid to reach out – you don’t have to figure everything out alone.
Call for Help.
If you’re in crisis or feel your mental health is really struggling, don’t wait. There are hotlines, counselors and trained professionals ready to help. You can call the National Mental Health Hotline at 866-903-3787 or dial 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Help is confidential and always available.
And most importantly: Take Care of You
Lastly, don’t let this fester. I have never known a problem or concern that got better or went away when it was ignored. You are important. Your mental health is important. Take care of you. You’re absolutely worth it.
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