Having a Successful Career While Experiencing Mental Health Challenges
The number of adults living with mental illness is astounding, totaling nearly 50 million people in the U.S. as of 2022. The number would probably be much higher if we counted the millions of adults who never report or acknowledge their mental health challenges.
Many of these individuals also run businesses or work in their chosen career fields. Unfortunately, doing either while experiencing mental health challenges can be doubly overwhelming and challenging.
Fortunately, the following tips can help you thrive as a business owner or in your career as you cope with mental health ups and downs. This can also assist anyone in supporting employees in navigating their own mental health challenges. It’s possible to have a successful career despite it all.
Listen to Your Body
When you are feeling off, you know it. You don’t feel like yourself. You’re more tired and stressed than usual. Your work performance is declining. You just can’t seem to shake it.
Although many people tend to ignore the above feelings and “push through,” it’s in your best interest not to do this. If the above is happening or your mental health challenges are becoming less manageable, stop what you’re doing and explore some possibilities that may help.
Take the rest of the day off if possible — and however long is necessary afterward — to figure out what’s causing you to feel the way you do. Use the time to rest and reset your mind, body, and spirit, however that plays out for you.
If you’re trying to determine a sign of struggling, reflect on how your body and mind have been feeling lately.
Be Intentional About Stress Management
Stress is one of the most significant contributors to exacerbated mental health challenges. That said, if you take your business or career seriously, there’s going to be some stress involved. So, what do you do to ensure the stress doesn’t worsen your mental health?
From the moment you start your business, focus on mental wellness. Be intentional about stress management throughout your career. You can keep your stress levels in check by:
- Eating well;
- Exercising consistently;
- Practicing breathing exercises;
- Spending time with loved ones;
- Engaging in mindfulness activities;
- Getting a good night’s rest every night;
- Understanding what about your job triggers stress;
- Taking frequent breaks throughout your workday;
- Eliminating destructive behaviours, like excessive alcohol consumption.
Creating a full life outside work can also help you manage stress better.
Create a Full Life Outside of Work
Making your entire life about your career or running your business is one of the worst things you can do for your mental health. Mainly because your career or business success would be the only thing holding your self-esteem and sanity together. The moment one of those goes downhill, your mental and emotional health will follow.
So, create a full life outside of work. Deepen the relationship you have with yourself. Pursue hobbies and passions that have nothing to do with your job or business. Discover what makes you internally happy and peaceful, and do more of it daily.
Your work can be an important part of your life. But, it mustn’t be your whole life.
Don’t Shy Away From Professional Help
There’s no shame in leaning on professionals for help with your mental health challenges. You don’t have to wait until your symptoms become unbearable. Nor should you feel like a failure because you can’t manage your mental illness or mental health concerns on your own.
Not getting the help you need when you need it could result in a loss of productivity, engagement, and motivation for your work. As a result, you could lose your business or be let go, harming your mental health even more.
So, don’t shy away from professional help. Seek help if and when you need it. Whether that’s in the form of a CBT center with San Francisco mental health counselors or more local options, it’s a proactive step towards improving your overall well-being. Even if you don’t use the therapist, counsellor, or another mental health professional right away, having their information handy to schedule an appointment when needed can make all the difference.
Be Open About Your Mental Health Challenges
You’re not only responsible for prioritizing your mental health, but you also share some of the responsibility for your employees’ mental health and well-being. If you have employees, you want them to have a successful career, as well, so play an active role in their mental health journey. As you’re working to improve yourself, you might find you use a mental health facility and they could teach you useful tools or support activities that you could implement into the workplace.
Start by being open about your mental health challenges. Set the tone that mental health challenges are nothing to be ashamed of. These challenges and conversations surrounding them should be normalized in the workplace.
When you take days off for your mental health, be transparent about this with your employees. If you notice similar symptoms that you experience in one of your employees, pull them aside and make sure they’re okay. Have group discussions about health and well-being.
Foster a Culture of Flexibility
If there is one thing employees living with mental health conditions need in the workplace, it’s flexibility.
Mental health struggles can be unpredictable and unrelenting at times. Your employees need to know that they can tend to their mental health at any time in the ways they need to get their symptoms back under control.
So, foster a culture of flexibility in the workplace. Make available as many mental health accommodations for employees as possible. Even open up the floor to see what employees living with a mental health challenge suggest.
For example, they may desire flexible scheduling options. Allow more breaks throughout the day. Consider unlimited paid time off and building special use spaces like recovery and exercise rooms. Think about a pet-friendly policy in the office, too.
Furthermore, ensure your culture is rooted in honesty, understanding, and appreciation for differences. Open up the lines of communication and develop authentic relationships with your employees to ensure you adequately care for their mental and emotional health.
Conclusion
Running a successful business or maintaining a thriving career while navigating mental health challenges is possible. You may have to do extra prep work and put in some additional effort to maintain vital mental health and emotional well-being, but it’s worth it. Use the tips above to guide you.