For the most part, workplace environments can be a source of positivity, fulfilment and achievement. However, at times it might be overwhelming, so it is important to understand how to manage your own wellbeing and mental health!

Here are some tips for looking after your mental health at work:

• Try to ‘work smart, not long’. Effectively prioritising your tasks and managing the time you take to complete them will help you to avoid wasting time on less important activities. Working efficiently in this way will help you get more done and you will feel better in control.
• Try to maintain a separation between work and leisure. If you do need to bring work home, try to contain to only one area of your home, such as an office – this will help you to separate yourself and relax once the task is done, rather than continuing to think about work when off the clock.
• Prevention is better than cure so remember that investing time in things outside work such as exercise, hobbies and friendships will help you to be a better worker in the long term by keeping you alert and happy.
• Make the most of your lunch break. Instead of quickly eating at your desk, scrolling through Facebook and getting back to work straight after, get some light exercise, enjoy the outdoors or organise to meet a friend for a coffee. This will help you get re-energised for the rest of your working day but put you in a better mindset.

And Remember…

• If you do feel overwhelmed by your workload or that your work-life balance isn’t working, find an opportunity to have a private chat with a trusted colleague, your manager, supervisor or someone in your HR department.

yourmentalhealth.ie reports that almost 40% of Irish people would “deliberately conceal a mental health problem at work, for fear it would have a negative impact on their career prospects or relationships with colleagues”.

Understanding that managing stress and wellbeing will only benefit you, your colleagues and your employer and will increase productivity at work in the long-term.