As a country and culture we are focused on work, work, and more work. Our physical health is consistently is thrown on the back burner, but even more abandoned is our mental health. Being on the verge of or having a mental health breakdown shouldn’t be our first sign to slow down.
MORE FRUSTRATED THAN USUAL
Working every day with the same coworkers can be tiring and difficult, it can also cause conflicts between relationships. However, make sure you are aware of any mood changes, irritable behavior, or long grumpy spells. This may be a sign that you are too stressed out and are in need of a break. Taking a break will let frustration die down and break the cycle of passive-aggressive interactions.
MORE MESSY THAN NORMAL
When rushing to make deadlines, get to meetings, pick up the kids from school, and get dinner on the table it is inevitable that you will miss the details. If your work, at home and at the office, is more sloppy than usual (punctuation, grammar, calculations, etc.) you may be in need of a mental health day. The need for a break is quadrupled if your boss is getting on your case, you are never catching up on work, and feeling like you can’t get on top of things. If stress is hindering your work and life performance, working harder won’t fix the situation. Taking a few days for yourself will allow you to regroup and destress before getting back behind the wheel.
SHOWING PHYSICAL SIGNS OF STRESS
Gaining weight? Daily headaches? Breaking out? Waking up drooling on your desk? These symptoms, together or separate, can hint at chronic stress. The hormones that are related to stress can manifest these annoying symptoms. So no, your body doesn’t hate you. It is trying warn you. It is screaming to you, “SLOW DOWN!”
Now, next time you are having foggy brain, constant anxiety, or extreme insomnia try to slow down, take a break, and listen to your body. Don’t just binge watch Netflix to solve your stress problems. Have a few active rest days at home and do things that are calming to you. Whether that is taking a hike, baking cookies, gardening, or reading a good mystery novel- do what you enjoy.