Issues with mental health, both severe and minor are incredibly common. Studies suggest that millions of people across the globe suffer from mental health problems that mean they need additional levels of support. Without the right help, it’s possible that problems with your mental health could impact various aspects of your life including your career. It’s important to understand how your mental health could affect your career and the right steps that you can take here.
How Does Your Mental Health Affect Your Career?
There are a variety of ways that your mental health could impact your career. For instance, you could be experiencing severe levels of stress that causes you anxiety. If that’s the case, it’s possible that you haven’t been getting a lot of sleep lately. Sleep is important at all levels of development including adulthood. Researchers suggest that you need about 8 hours of sleep each night to function effectively. If you’re not getting this level of sleep, then you’re going to struggle to perform at the right level in your job. You could struggle to deliver the service that your employers expect or that your clients need.
Ultimately, a lack of sleep could even lead to your position being in jeopardy, particularly if you struggle to remain focused through the day.
Or, you might find that problems with your mental health cause you to miss a lot of days with work. People who suffer from depression often struggle to find the energy that they need to get up in the morning or function effectively. This does lead to them missing out on a lot of work days. It’s important to realize that an employer can not fire you for health issues however this does depend on you getting a diagnosis which we’ll discuss a little further down.
If you are suffering from problems with anxiety, then you might struggle to find the confidence that you need to perform effectively in your position. There are very few jobs and roles these days that don’t have at least some form of client or customer interaction. For this, you need to be able to show the right level of confidence in what you can do and what you can bring to the table. If you don’t do this, then they are going to move onto a competitor. This is why it’s important to tackle issues with low levels of confidence and approach them the right way. Research does suggest that people who don't have confidence in themselves will always struggle to reach goals professionally.
How Can You Avoid These Issues?
If you are worried about your mental health impacting your career, it’s important to be aware of the steps that you can and perhaps should take. First, you need to be honest with yourself and your employer. You need to make sure that you are aware that you do suffer from mental health issues. Many people are worried about taking this step because they often feel like it is going to make them less employable. On the contrary, it can ensure that they are able to get the support they need from their employer and that they don’t reach the point where they feel completely overwhelmed.
Don’t forget, being honest with your employer will also require that you work to get the support you need. Suffering in silence is one of the most common reasons why people do struggle with mental health issues in the workplace. They never get the help required. If you think that your mental health is impacting your work, it’s important to seek professional help. You can either contact a therapist or speak to your doctor. Either one could help ensure that you get the support that you need.
Be aware that cognitive therapy is often incredibly beneficial. It can help ensure that you address what is causing the symptoms that you are experiencings. For instance, you might be able to find out exactly what you can’t sleep at night. They will often give you coping mechanisms to help you deal with issues like this too. A great option is writing down your thoughts and feelings before bed. That way, you are addressing the issue and getting it out of your subconscious which can help you sleep.
A medical professional might also recommend alternative therapies or medicine that will help you deal with the issues that you are facing at work. For instance, they might suggest CBD gummies for anxiety. Research shows that some people find these to be highly effective and they can help them relax. These are perfect for intense or stressful situations where you need to calm down at work. They are something that you can easily fit into your typical lifestyle too and can be used discreetly.
Or, it might be the case that instead they want you to look into other types of therapy that are available. We mentioned CBT briefly above, but there are plenty of others for you to look at. Choosing one can be difficult, and we recommend going off of whatever your medical professional has recommended to you. Some of these therapies are going to include talking to someone, where others can be self-administered, but it all depends on what is best for you.
Aside from alternative forms of medicine, you might also want to consider meditation and mindfulness exercises. By clearing your mind through these types of processes, you can ensure that you are far more effective at tackling issues in your life and solving problems. You might have a problem at work that is causing you a lot of stress. Through meditation, you will be able to find the right solution and ensure that things don’t become overwhelming.
It’s also worth pointing out it’s possible that your career just isn’t the right fit for you. You might not be particularly well suited for intense situations that are a major part of your current industry. There is no harm or shame in choosing a new career or trying a different position. Doing so can provide tremendous benefits in your life and ensure that you are both happy and healthy.
How Does Your Career Fit Into A Recovery?
If you are recovering from a mental health issue after getting the support that you needed, it’s important to think about how your career can be part of this. First, it’s important that if you took time off work you don’t jump back in the game too quickly. You need to give your mind time to readjust before you try and get back to work. If you didn’t take time off work, you need to guarantee that you are not putting your career before your mental health. Your health and wellbeing should always come first and you need to take care of this before you think about things like promotions or pay rises.
It’s also crucial that you work with your employer. They should be willing to help you with your recovery and aid you by giving you the time and support that you need. If you take our advice and you are honest about the issues that you are dealing with, whatever these may be, they should give you the hand that you require. If they don’t then you need to think carefully about whether this is a company that you want to work with. An employer has a responsibility to protect your wellbeing and this includes your mental health.
We hope this helps you understand some of the ways that your mental health can impact your career and the steps that you can take. It’s important to be aware that mental health conditions don’t have to stop you from succeeding in life. While they will often present a significant challenge you can, with the right steps, overcome them and live your dreams both personally and professionals. You can still run the boardroom, you can still get hired in your dream position and you can still realize your full potential in your chosen industry.
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