5 Ways To Manage Mental and Emotional Stress At Work.

Gone are the days when mental and emotional health were mostly regarded as trivial issues in the workplace. Today, mental and emotional health especially in the corporate world have become very salient issues.

According to World Health Organization (W.H.O), neglecting the importance of mental and emotional health in the workplace may lead to other problems; While another report states that at least 1 in 4 persons will be affected by a mental health challenge at some point in life. Some of these workplace problems may be: excessive use of alcohol, over-dependence on caffeine, harmful use of drugs, absenteeism or loss of interest at work.

For these reasons, many organizations- locally and internationally, are putting more efforts to support their employees’ mental and emotional health. For some Nigerian companies, they include ‘mental health therapy packages’ as an added benefit of working with them. And while these efforts are very necessary, nobody can manage yourself like you do.

Managing your mental and emotional health might be difficult, but if you continue long-term, you’ll start to feel better especially at work and more efficient. This post aims to highlight 5 ways you can manage mental and emotional stress at work.

1. Purposely create time to look after yourself.

‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.’ This statement is true in how you approach your work lifestyle. Playing doesn’t necessarily mean having fun, it can also mean doing things that could help you clear your mind. You can read your favorite book or novel, take a long walk, have a hot bath, go for a short drive, call a friend, take yourself out to your favorite restaurant, see a movie. If you have the means, you can use your annual leave to go on a vacation for a change of scenery or environment.

2. Remember to nourish your body properly.

If you work from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, it can be easy to forget to eat or drink well. The importance of eating well is that it nourishes your body, mind and gives you strength. Rather than resorting to fast food or junk, make it a conscious habit to eat a balanced meal at least once in a day. Ensure your meal includes vegetables, protein, fats & oil, carbohydrates, fruits and clean water. This way your body is rejuvenated and your mind is sharp.

3. Exercise and practice yoga.

Participating in physical activities like exercises is a way to manage mental and emotional stress at work. For simple exercises, you can take a long walk early in the morning or late or night to clear your head and breathe out. You can also jog around your house to release any built-up stress in your muscles. If you’re not a fan of exercises, you can practice yoga at home. Yoga helps you to connect with your innermost self to find peace from within and breathe from a happy place.

With simple exercise and yoga, you can always practice at home without any distractions. And they are a great way to release endorphins (stress relief hormones).

4. Meditate daily on positive affirmations.

Daily affirmations are positive words of encouragement that build up how you view yourself. Rather than reflecting on the things that you hate about your workplace, you can reflect on the future you’re building. Affirmations have a great effect on your mood and can help you manage your stress level.

5. Speak to a therapist on DRO Health.

Feeling stressed and overwhelmed especially with activities from work is 100% normal. It is a part of life, however if you feel constantly overwhelmed, you should speak to a therapist immediately.

On the DRO Health app, we have professional therapists who can help you manage your mental and emotional stressors at your workplace. We have a mental health plan you can subscribe to. The weekly mental health plan can be subscribed to at N4,000. While the monthly plan goes for N8,000.

Always remember that you’re not a robot and you if you’re dealing with more than you can handle; detach and take a break. Speak to a therapist on the DRO Health app, if you’ve tried all the tips listed above.

Download the DRO Health app and take free mental health assessments (anxiety, depression, stress, sex addiction, gambling, etc.) Reach out to get all the support you deserve on your mental health journey.