Tips for Protecting Mental Health at Work

May is Mental Health Month. So, let me ask: How are you doing? Seriously. How are you REALLY doing? I speak to so many clients who wait too long to make a change. They endure difficult and demoralizing work climates, hoping that things will get better. While they wait, their confidence is eroded, making a job search that much more daunting. Please, don't let this happen to you. No job is worth your mental health. If you: ➙Don't get any satisfaction in your work ➙Routinely deal with people who are difficult ➙Do the work of 2 people (or more!) ➙Lack the resources to do your job well ➙Get no support from your direct supervisor ➙Are bullied or taken advantage of by co-workers ➙Find it difficult to muster the energy for your workday Then, your mental health is at risk. That is not okay! Here are 6 strategies to take care of yourself: 1️⃣ Map Your Triggers ↳ Document specific situations that drain you ↳ Track when your stress peaks ↳ Notice when you are withdrawing or in conflict 💡Action: Make adjustments where you can, based on what you learn 2️⃣ Create Non-Negotiable Boundaries ↳ Set firm work hours for yourself ↳ Block "recovery time" in your calendar ↳ Turn off notifications during deep work 💡Action: Communicate these changes with key people 3️⃣ Master the "Strategic Pause" ↳ Take micro-breaks (2-5 minutes every hour) ↳ Use lunch for actual lunch, not more work ↳ Practice quick breathing exercises between meetings 💡Action: Put these items in your calendar and set alarms to take care of yourself. 4️⃣ Control Your Controllables ↳ Organize your workspace ↳ Structure your day around your energy peaks ↳ Focus on what you can influence, not what you can't 💡Action: This is a habit. Keep coming back to what’s in your control when frustration builds. 5️⃣ Build Your Support System ↳ Connect with trusted colleagues ↳ Consider tapping into your Employee Assistance Program ↳ Look into professional counseling 💡Action: Ask for help, even when it makes you feel uncomfortable. You are worth it. 6️⃣ Prepare to Make a Change ↳ Activate your network and have casual conversations to test the waters ↳ Update your resume and your LinkedIn profile ↳ Build a list of target companies and research your options 💡Important Point: These steps aren’t a decision to leave. But, they will make it easier and quicker if you decide to do so. Reminder: Your mental health is non-negotiable. Protect it fiercely. 🎯 What's your best strategy for maintaining mental health at work? Tell us below! ♻️ Repost to support colleagues who might be struggling 🔔 Follow Sarah Baker Andrus for more career and workplace strategies

Mental Health Matters: An EA's Guide to Staying Balanced in a High-Wire Act🧘♀️💼 Hey there, fellow Executive Assistants! 👋 As we gear up for the long weekend, let's talk about something crucial yet often overlooked in our whirlwind careers: mental health. We're the masters of juggling tasks, the wizards of organization, and the unsung heroes keeping our execs and offices running smoothly. But in the midst of all this magic, are we taking care of our own minds? 🤔 Here's your friendly reminder (and some tips) to prioritize your mental wellbeing: Set Boundaries, Not Just Schedules 🚧 It's okay to say no sometimes. Your time off is sacred – protect it fiercely! Mindfulness: Not Just a Buzzword 🧠 Take 5 minutes a day for meditation or deep breathing. Your stress levels will thank you. Celebrate the Small Wins 🎉 Completed that tricky travel itinerary? Give yourself a pat on the back! Connect with Fellow EAs 👥 Sometimes, only another EA truly gets it. Build your support network. There are some great EA organizations - my personal favorite is EA Social Club! Hobby Time is Productive Time 🎨 Nurturing interests outside work isn't selfish – it's essential for creativity and balance. Ask for Help (Yes, Really!) 🆘 We're pros at supporting others. Let's get comfortable asking for support too. Reframe "Self-Care" as "Career Investment"💪 Taking care of your mental health isn't a luxury – it's a necessity for peak performance. Remember, you can't pour from an empty cup. By prioritizing your mental health, you're not just helping yourself – you're ensuring you can bring your A-game to support your executive and team. As we head into this long weekend, I challenge you to do one thing purely for your mental wellbeing. Whether it's a nature walk, reading a book, or simply sleeping in – you've earned it! So, what's your go-to strategy for maintaining mental health in our high-pressure world? Share below and let's support each other in staying mentally fit! 💙 #MentalHealthAwareness #ExecutiveAssistantLife #SelfCareAtWork #EAWellness #MakeKnowledgeSharingYourBitch P.S. Remember, if you're struggling, it's okay to seek professional help. Your mental health is just as important as any task on your to-do list!

Top Self-Care Tips for Busy Professionals: Prioritize Your Mental Health May is #MentalHealth Awareness Month, a perfect time to reflect on how we can maintain our mental well-being amidst a hectic professional life. As an ER physician and AI futurist, I've learned the importance of self-care. Here are some of the best strategies I've found: 1️⃣ **Mindful Breaks:** Take short, mindful breaks throughout the day. Even 5 minutes of deep breathing or a quick walk can reduce stress significantly. 2️⃣ **#Exercise Regularly:** Physical activity is a proven mood booster. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise, five times a week. This can include anything from running to yoga. 3️⃣ **Stay Connected:** Maintaining strong relationships with family and friends provides essential emotional support. Schedule regular catch-ups, even if they’re virtual. 4️⃣ **Seek Professional Help:** Don’t hesitate to seek therapy or counseling. It’s a powerful tool for managing stress and maintaining mental health. 5️⃣ **Healthy Diet:** Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Proper nutrition impacts both physical and mental health. 6️⃣ **Adequate #Sleep:** Ensure you get 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Good sleep hygiene is critical for overall well-being. 7️⃣ **Set Boundaries:** Learn to say no and set boundaries to prevent burnout. Protect your personal time and prioritize tasks effectively. Prioritize your mental health and inspire others to do the same. What self-care tips work best for you? Share in the comments! #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #SelfCareTips #MentalWellBeing #DrGPT #HealthyLiving #ProfessionalLife

You're out there crushin' it and doing all the things. But when was the last time you checked in on yourself? 🤔 As marketers, we're the creators of brand magic, the storytellers who connect with audiences, and the driving force behind business success. But even marketing superheroes need a moment to take off their cape and to check in on themselves, mentally and emotionally. In honor of #WorldMentalHealthDay, I'm sharing the three tips to ensure you're mentally and emotionally well while killin' it as a marketing rockstar. 🤘🏾 1️⃣ Enforce your boundaries: One major tip for maintaining mental health is setting clear boundaries. Boundaries are the guard rails to protect us from getting hurt and burnt out. It's okay to say no when you need to or shoot just when you want to 🫰🏾. Boundaries save your time (your most valuable and irreplaceable commodity), energy, and emotional well-being. They ensure that we are not stretched too thin and can help us maintain a healthy work-life balance. 2️⃣ Go to therapy: I believe in therapy as maintenance, not just when facing an issue. Just like we fine-tune our marketing strategies, we must also give our mental well-being some love. In some cases, therapy can be made readily available to you for free. Many companies offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). These gems provide access to therapy for various needs. And typically, you receive a specific amount of sessions per "issue". Seeking help isn't a sign of weakness; it's a sign of strength. It's a way to level up both personally and professionally. Side note: Even if you have to pay for therapy, you're worthy of investing in yourself and well-being. 3️⃣  Self-care is your BFF: Beyond the hustle and bustle of marketing life, nurture your passions and interests outside of work. It's not just about work-life balance; it's about keeping your spirits high. Whether it's spending quality time with your family and friends, indulging in some well-deserved self-care (facial, anyone? 💆🏾♀️), or embracing a Netflix binge, make sure you find time for what fills your cup. 🫶🏾 Mental wellness isn't just a nice-to-have; it empowers us to be our best selves. Our mental health is the engine that drives our brilliance. Embrace it, champion it, and shine brightly. ✨ How do you protect your mental health or which tip resonated with you the most? I'd love to hear in the comments. 👇🏾 #mentalhealth #mentalwellbeing #selfcare #eap #boundaries #marketers

Let’s be honest, some workplaces feel more like pressure cookers than places of purpose. Deadlines. Back-to-back meetings. Constant alerts. And somewhere in all of it… you forget to breathe. But people aren’t productivity robots. We’re human. And our ability to perform is directly tied to how well we’re doing mentally and emotionally. Here’s the problem: Too many workplaces still run on outdated norms: “Just push through.” “Sleep when you’re dead.” “If you’re not stressed, you’re not working hard enough.” But burnout doesn’t happen because people are weak. It happens because we’ve been conditioned to ignore our own well-being. Imagine instead hearing:  🔹 “Take care of yourself, we need you well, not worn out.” 🔹 “Your presence matters more than your productivity today.” 🔹 “It’s okay to pause. Clarity comes when you slow down.” 🔹 “You don’t need to have all the answers right now.” 🔹 “Let’s take 5 minutes to reset, your mental health matters.” 🔹 “You’re not alone in this. How can I support you?” 🔹 “Progress is more important than perfection.” 🔹 “It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. Let’s work through it together.” These are the phrases that build resilient cultures. Not just “feel-good” statements but scientifically backed shifts that lower stress, increase clarity, and create trust. Here are a few small but powerful things you can do: 1. Take 60 seconds to do nothing between meetings. No scrolling. Just breathe. 2. Change one internal phrase from “I have to” → “I choose to.” See how that feels. 3. Replace “I’m fine” with a more honest version. Even with yourself. The truth is: Mental health is performance health. And resilience isn’t built by grinding harder, it’s built by recovering smarter. You don’t have to wait for someone else to say the phrase you need to hear. You can speak it first—to yourself, your team, or your peers. 👇 So what’s the phrase you wish you heard more often at work? Share it below. Let’s make work more human together. #Resilience #MentalHealthAtWork #WorkplaceWellbeing #EmotionalIntelligence #HighPerformanceCulture