May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the importance of mental health cannot be stressed enough more than today. As we recover from the pandemic that has plagued us for the past two years and slowly reintegrate ourselves into society, resuming in our face-to-face activities at work and outside, we are facing a new world.

And after two years of living with the threat of COVID-19, for the most part on lockdown, we know this by now—as we take care of our physical health, it is equally important to take care of our mental health. And now that we are back in the office, with some of us working in a hybrid set-up (some days working at the office and some days working from home), how do we stay sane and mentally healthy and happy?

5 Tips to Stay Mentally Healthy

The secrets are simple—they are a combination of habits to keep us physically healthy and mentally well.

Practice the 4Ds

Stress is part of our day-to-day life both in and outside of work. It keeps us on our toes, stretches our limits, and reveals to us capabilities we may not be aware of. But while some amount of stress is helpful, too much can be harmful—and this is what we need to watch out for if we are to stay mentally healthy.

At work, one of the biggest sources of stress is a mismanaged schedule and a mismatch in the number of tasks that need to be done vs. the person’s capability to do them. So how do you manage your tasks, especially if you notice your plate piling up? One key is to categorize them into these 4Ds:

DO. Which of your tasks are a priority? You can judge this based on the task’s impact to a bigger whole and based on its urgency. Prioritize those that are both important and urgent—finishing the big tasks will make the succeeding smaller tasks easier to accomplish.

DELAY. Which of your tasks are not so important? Are there items on your plate that you can do on another day? Take them off your priority list so you can narrow your focus on the more important ones.

DELEGATE. Are there tasks on your plate that are better done by someone else? Identify these tasks and check if you can pass them off to a colleague, not because you don’t want to do the work but because you are more effective working on a more important task.

DELETE. Check for items in your schedule that are not necessary or can be simplified. Are there issues that can be discussed and resolved without the need for a meeting? If so, cancel the meeting. Are there recurring processes that can be simplified by automating? If you answer yes, look for a better way to do them so you can free up your time and everyone else’s.

Connect with your colleagues

Friendships at work can be a great source of happiness. In fact, a study found that people are ten times more likely to stay in a job because of friendships. Another study also revealed that friendships at work can provide a 50% boost in employee satisfaction.

Stay healthy and happy in your job by taking time to develop work friendships. Spend time with your colleagues, get to know them, and find common interests—it will be good for your mental health.

Find work that you love

The secret to finding the perfect job is to get to know yourself. What are your interests? What are your skills? Knowing both of these will help you identify your gift—that which you are meant to do in this world. If you discover that and you find a job that aligns with it, be happy and be grateful because you are in a good place.

And if you are not? Well, if you dread going to work everyday and you feel you’re simply going through the motions, only looking forward to the end of a workday, then it might be time to check whether you are in the right job.

Take breaks

Life-work balance has become such an important concept over the past years. Work is not an isolated part of your life—it is part of a bigger whole. And whatever happens outside of work will likely affect work. This is the reason it’s important to take care of all the other areas of your life the same way you take care of work.

After all, people are more productive, more creative, and more committed to the work that they do if they are generally happy with the other areas of their life—if they are fulfilled in their relationships, able to pursue hobbies aligned with their interests, and are able to properly nourish their mind, body, and spirit.

Stay healthy

The same way your mental wellbeing affects your physical health, your physical health also affects your mental wellness. To stay mentally healthy, make sure you give your body what it needs. Get enough sleep every day. Eat healthy food and drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.

Even more important, stay active. The work that you do may keep you on your desk and your chair all day long, but find time to move. Get a standing desk so you can alternate between standing and sitting while you work. Stand up and stretch every few hours. Walk around to keep your muscles engaged. This will not only keep your body healthy but also keep your mind clear and sharp.

Mental wellness is, first and foremost, a personal responsibility. Know yourself and what your body and mind need, and take time to meet those needs. Have a healthy body and a healthy, happy mind.

About Us

MotionGrey is a Canadian standing desk company that specializes in ergonomic furniture. We supply and install only the best quality standing desks and ergonomic chairs in the country.

Our products are designed with wellness as the focal point. From our electric standing desks to our office and gaming chairs, we deliver best value by putting your health, safety, and comfort as top priority. Boost your creativity and level up work performance. We want you to create great outcomes so we’re providing you only the best tools to make them possible.
 
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