MENTAL HEALTH
How To Manage Your Mental Health At Work
By Maureen Jagona Okore
Having survived situational depression and lived to tell the tale , here are some tips and tricks from my experience that might help others cope in a healthy way . I am no psychologist ; however , I am a survivor , a victor and now a champion of mental health . I would absolutely love to share what I learned and what worked for me .
Working in the world of marketing and advertising may often feel like one is constantly in a pressure cooker . From the tight deadlines , to back-to-back campaigns that one must execute all year round , it can take a toll on one ’ s mental well-being .
Admittedly this is a sensitive topic that many only speak about in hushed tones for fear of judgement or reprimand or funny looks ... ( you know , the get over it eye ?)
We live in a world where toxic positivity might often muffle our attempts to be real with our feelings of sadness or dissatisfaction or hurt within work settings . For those who are unfamiliar with the term toxic positivity , here is how Medical news today defines it : “ Toxic positivity is an obsession with positive thinking . It is the belief that people should put a positive spin on all experiences , even those that are profoundly tragic .”
It might often show up as people telling you to “ look on the bright side ”, or drop lines like “ positive vibes only ” ( Errrm you wonder where you are supposed to take your anger and sadness ?), expecting
“
It sounds so obvious that we aren ’ t meant to be perfect , but how many times do you hear people say “ I ’ m a perfectionist ” like it ’ s a badge of honour or something . I no longer consider it a badge of honour but a burden on one ’ s mental health to remain a perfectionist . someone to quickly “ get over it ” after a traumatic occurrence . Toxic positivity may also manifest as imagining that chanting affirmations will miraculously prevent people from feeling or expressing their grief , sorrow , anxiety or disappointment within work settings .
This is quite common especially with the “ office sunshine ”. The ever-happy-go-lucky colleague who would never understand why on earth you are depressed . Why you just cannot have a positive attitude and switch up your mood . In my experience the healthy way to cope is to feel your feelings be they happy feelings or sad feelings . Don ’ t stuff them down . Feel and release them .
Secondly surround yourself with people who care for and support you . A support system is absolutely good for your self esteem as well . Call it a “ work family ” of sorts . Be it a mentor you can tap into their wisdom , someone higher up in the organisation than you . Or a peer in your team that you can relate to their experience and how they overcome the daily challenges at work .
As shared by Nawal Mustafa , The Brain Coach , one study highlighted that acceptance and approval from others increases our self esteem ( although it is important to not depend on it either ). She goes on by stating ‘ It is beneficial to build relationships with individuals who encourage us to be the best version of ourselves by providing encouragement , support , and feedback . If we are in relationships where our boundaries are not respected or valued , it may be helpful to re-evaluate the amount of time we spend in these relationships .’
Thirdly , make peace with being imperfect . As a self-confessed former perfectionist ... ( I have been one since I was born , but now healing from it .) It took a rude awakening for me to realise just how imperfect I am and how imperfect others are . I didn ’ t realize just how rooted I was in perfectionism and how it may have directly or indirectly contributed to the deterioration of my mental health . A very wise woman once told me over a work phone call “ Maureen you don ’ t have to be perfect .”
And I must say the relief that came with those words was something I didn ’ t even realize I needed . I literally felt a weight lifted off my shoulders . And I exhaled for the first time in a long while of a pressure filled season . It sounds so obvious that we aren ’ t meant to be perfect , but how many times do you hear
72 MAL50 / 22 ISSUE