Managing Stress at Work – Mental Health Awareness Week 2018

Did you know 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem each year in the UK? That’s over 16.6 million people, which is why it’s important that we speak up about it. Most of us have faced stress while at work, and it can feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day. To help you control and manage this stress at work, and to show our support for Mental Health Awareness 2018, we have put together some pointers.

Get enough sleep

Getting a good 8 hours sleep at night is essential to starting each day right and ensures you stay focussed, and more importantly, awake at work, all whilst being the best version of you. If you struggle to get to sleep, try some herbal remedies such as green tea and set an evening routine so that your body naturally becomes tired and starts to relax at the same time each night. If you find it difficult to relax before hitting the hay, write down your worries/anxieties, or things you know you need to do the next day. This helps get things off your chest and helps you sleep easier.

Exercise

Exercising doesn’t have to mean going to the gym every night and lifting heavy weights. If it’s a nice day outside, why not take a walk? Getting some fresh air on your lunch break helps make you feel refreshed, gets you up out of your seat and also helps break up your day. Even if you’re busy, taking 15 mins to walk around can reduce stress and increase your productivity.

Read

A good way to help you get through a bad day is to read a self-help book or something motivational and positive. The most important thing to remember is you aren’t the only one who has felt this way, and some have written books for this very reason. Amazon have a diverse selection of books to choose from, take a look here: https://amzn.to/2k19xr4

Eat right

Always remember that food is fuel, meaning if you eat healthily, you’re bound to feel the benefits from it. You’re more likely to feel energized and will help keep you focused in work. Try new recipes to spruce up your weekly meals and if you take your lunch to work, try sorting it the night before so that it’s one less thing to worry about in the morning.

Ask for help

Work can get hectic sometimes, and that’s ok as long as you can control it. If you find yourself with too many tasks with too little time to complete them, don’t sit in silence drowning in work, speak up. Speak to your line manager and explain your concerns to not complete jobs when needed. They can then help you prioritise and offer help accordingly. Many employers are opening up to the importance of mental health and so they understand that it’s better to speak up than to suffer in silence.

Some stress is good. It helps keep you alert and focused to get tasks done. But knowing when to draw the line and take a time out is vital to having good mental health. We hope these tips help you, for more information on Mental Health Week 2018, see here.

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