7 Tips to Improve Your Mental Health and Prevent Burnout at Work

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Workplace mental health has never been more important, with each year seeing worrying levels of low well-being in the workplace, with a shocking 1 in 4 employees experiencing a mental health problem and 76% experiencing burnout.

he pressures of deadlines and responsibilities can take a toll on your emotional well-being, with feelings of being overwhelmed, leading to decreased productivity, higher levels of absenteeism, and harmed relationships with colleagues. Prioritising your mental health and managing burnout, is essential.

In this article, share practical tips to help you improve your mental health at work and reduce burnout to have a more fulfilling work experience.

1. Remember, You’re Not Alone

When it comes to mental health, it’s important to know that you're not alone. In 2022/23, it has been estimated that over 800,000+ employees have suffered from work-related stress, anxiety and depression. When you are suffering from mental health, there's no denying that it can feel isolating, but you're never alone. Yes, it can be daunting to reach out to those around you and share your vulnerabilities, but it’s vital to speak to others and ask for help when you need it. By speaking to other colleagues or your manager about the challenges you currently face, not only can they offer support but also do things such as sharing organisational resources, offering their best tips and helping reduce your workload. One of the most empowering things you can do is to speak to those you trust.

2. Build Positive Relationships at Work

One of the best parts of working is the people we meet on our professional journeys. By building strong connections with the people around you, you help create a support network when you face challenging times in the workplace. Positive relationships significantly improve the workplace experience and your overall mental health. Engage in conversations, show interest in your colleagues and participate in different team-building activities to help strengthen these bonds. When you have positive relationships, you are more likely to communicate openly, which helps create a culture of support. When you build these connections, you can also seek feedback which will not only be beneficial for professional growth but also help boost your confidence at work.

3. Take Regular Breaks

Your well-being comes first before any job role, which is why if you need to take a break, then you should. Most of us feel uncomfortable asking for breaks due to mental health or burnout, but taking time away when you need it, can prevent you from taking longer breaks in the future. When you’re feeling stressed or struggling, a break can help you recharge. Sometimes, when we have a high workload or feel particularly busy, we don’t want to leave our desks but even taking a few minutes just to get some nice food or have time to think, can do wonders for your mental health and boost your productivity levels. It’s also important to take your annual leave, it’s meant to be used so you have time to relax and recharge, so make sure you take it.

4. Prioritise Work-Life Balance

One of the most detrimental factors to mental health and well-being is not prioritising your work-life balance. You need to establish boundaries between work and your personal life and communicate your limits to your manager. You don’t need to be responding to work emails when you're on annual leave or at 10 pm, you need to give yourself time for your own personal commitments and by establishing boundaries you are protecting your own well-being. You also need to take the time to do things you love. We’re human, we have things outside of our professional commitments that bring us joy. Engaging in activities that you love will help you unwind and take your mind off any of the challenges or work-related stress you might be facing. From going to the gym to spending time with loved ones, a balanced lifestyle is a happy one.

5. Establish a Routine

Unsurprisingly, when you have a solid routine in place, you reduce stress and anxiety levels. By having a consistent work schedule and routine, you have more stability. Things such as starting your working day at the same time, making sure you have lunch and also logging off at the same time each day are a few ways you can stay consistent and as mentioned, prioritise your work-life balance effectively. When you have a routine in place, you also can manage your time more effectively, because you have a deadline you need to work towards. Effective time management is a crucial element of managing your stress levels at work and reducing burnout. We recommend creating daily or weekly to-do lists and prioritising your tasks according to importance.

6. Find a Mentor

Mentorship can play a crucial role in supporting individuals who are experiencing mental health or burnout at work. A good mentor is there to offer you support, guidance and encouragement, whilst also offering practical tips you can use to enhance your well-being. If you're someone who feels uncomfortable speaking to your colleagues about the challenges you face, then having a mentor creates a safe space where you can express your feelings and concerns, without fear of judgement. If the mentor has faced similar challenges, they can also share their own experience with you and provide comfort and reassurance. Finding a mentor will also help you develop more effective coping strategies, such as assisting you improve your time management or recommending self-care practices.

7. Seek Professional Help

Never hesitate to seek professional help if you need it. Managing your mental health and burnout can be overwhelming but you don’t need to do it alone. Speaking about how you feel with a trained professional, in a safe space where you can freely express yourself is invaluable. Remember, many workplaces offer programs that provide counselling and therapy sessions for employees, so make sure to ask for access to these resources. If you're in the UK, you can find the right support for you at Mind.

Final Thoughts

Protecting our mental health is essential in all areas of our lives, especially in the workplace. Prioritising your mental well-being and reducing burnout, will positively affect you both personally and professionally. We hope you’ll find these tips helpful and remember, it’s an ongoing progress and won’t happen overnight, but by prioritising your well-being will lead to a happier and healthier life.