It’s challenging enough to cope with mental health issues but attempting to balance it with work obligations can be physically and mentally overwhelming.
Many have no choice but to work while at the same time recovering from shaken well-being, but the workplace itself contains mental health risks, such as excessive duties, long hours, and marginal support from advisers and colleagues.
Thomas Cothren of New York explains that it takes a strong person to balance mental health needs with work expectations, but many are stronger than they think.
Practice Self-Care
Mental health recovery is a personal journey; one has to find self-care practices that are effective to them. When trying to create an ideal work-life balance, one shouldn’t ignore calming practices such as meditation or yoga, especially at the beginning or end of the workday.
Others rely on embracing positive affirmations throughout the day, reminding themselves that they are capable and strong.
Focus on Realistic Expectations
It’s going to take some time to get back into the groove of work following traumatic incidents, so it’s essential to manage expectations. That can be tough when people attempt to fall back into a role they love and so fully want to go “back to normal.”
It’s up to the individual to make sure the standards are not impossible for the time being. Instead, focus on what is entirely manageable to take on and be honest about what cannot be done for the time being. Taking it one day at a time isn’t being lazy. It’s being responsible.
Prioritize Recovery Needs
It’s fine to begin focusing on work again while in recovery, but specific needs related to the recovery itself are just as important. If applicable, one should regularly check in with counselors, therapists, or sponsors to make sure recovery is on track. Such individuals can also help guide someone if they begin to struggle again with managing stress.
Rethink Time Management
Even the most experienced time manager may struggle when needing to balance mental health with their job. Feeling overwhelmed, especially when heading back to work for the first time after a struggle, is common.
Having a checklist of duties and pinpointing days of the week or parts of the time when one can be more productive with help with the overall transition process. This updated type of time management may also integrate writing in a journal each day or conducting weekly therapy issues.
Give Grace
It’s often easier said than done but learning how to give oneself grace is an impressive skill to practice. Is something too difficult to deal with on a certain day? Can a duty be passed on to someone better equipped to tackle it right now? Is it accepted that tough emotional and physical reactions related to mental health challenges are normal?
Sometimes the best thing can do for themselves is admit honestly that they just aren’t able to do something to the best of their ability temporarily. Burnout is a very real thing, especially when jumping back into an effective work-life balance.