I encourage you to take a proactive approach to your mental health. Many people ignore their stress and try to power through it only to feel exhausted, sore or sick at the end of the day. If you're one of those ultra-dedicated souls, please remember that millions of people around the country are feeling the exact same frustrations as you but doing nothing about them. Consequently, many of those same people are experiencing symptoms such as physical pain or soreness, a breakdown in cognitive processes, such as the ability to focus on a task, and some are even diagnosed with serious conditions like hypertension (high blood pressure). Hypertension, in particular, is extremely dangerous as it may lead to life-threating conditions like heart attacks or strokes.

    We've all had those days that start stressful and seem to get worse as the day drags on. Here are a few ideas that may help you take charge of your mental state:

 

1.  Use your commute to your advantage. Bad drivers and annoying stoplights aside, your commute can actually act as a mental buffer between you and your job. Turn off the radio and give yourself some time for honest reflection. If you're upset, then you're emotionally unbalanced. That may sound obvious; but it's the emotional frustration that leads to physical discomfort and mental fatigue later on.

    Try to locate the true cause of why you're so upset. Is the cause of your frustration something internal or external? Are you overly fatigued and that's what caused you to lose your temper with your loved ones before heading off to work? Or was it something beyond your control that set you off? I'm a dad too and I know just how hard it is to be patient and loving with difficult spouses or children who won't listen when you're worried about deadlines, getting to work on time, etc... Your commute can allow you to take a few deep breaths, remember your true priorities, and just take a break from everyone else.

 

2.  "Me Time"! Whether you're a foreman on the job site, a secretary at the desk of a hair salon, or just the guy or gal in cubicle #101, you've got to make some "Me" time. How you ask? By using every available opportunity to pay attention to yourself. It's not vanity; it's self-preservation. I doubt any of us get company-sponsored meditation breaks at work but every spare second that you can think about something other than work will help ease the stress levels you're feeling.

    During a trip to the restroom, at the drinking fountain, or sitting at your cube between customer calls, let your mind think about something YOU want to think about. For instance, your upcoming vacation, the people you actually do like at work and why you like them, and the fact that someday you're not going to have to work are all great examples. As long as you don't allow your daydreaming to negatively affect your work, you're not hurting anyone or anything. 

 

3.  Let the pot boil over! Personal conflicts and differences of opinion are inevitable in the workplace. How you handle those issues determines just how much those stressors will affect you. You can quietly harbor anger and resentment towards someone or you can act like a mature, confident adult and talk to that person. Doing this takes courage and tact, but the results are worth the effort.

    The fact is that we don't have to like each other; we just have to work together. You may never like a certain co-worker or get them to change their opinion on a given subject. But if you step up to the plate and tactfully speak to them about the problem then at least they'll know you're not just someone to be stepped on or manipulated.

    This is especially important when dealing with people who are at the same level or higher on the company food chain. You work hard and your superiors and peers should respect you for that. After all, you weren't hired to be a robot. You were hired because they think you're a person who's capable of intelligent and creative thought. Ultimately, you might not sway their decision-making process but at least you made your voice heard in the proper setting and in the proper manner. Expressing your opinions and resolving minor disputes will help you earn respect during the day and will allow you to sleep with a clear conscience at night.

 

Our work and how we're perceived as employees is important; but it's not so important that we should sacrifice our health and sanity in getting that work done. 

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