Feeling overworked? Has a heavy workload put your mental health in jeopardy? Looking for the hacks that will let you handle your assigned tasks while still finding peace of mind?
You’re not alone. One study found that more than eight in 10 workers (83%) report struggling with workplace stress. Beyond this, one in four say their job represents the number-one stressor in their lives.
You want to maximize your career potential. As a result, you tend to say “yes” to any request — loading up your list of assignments and creating a massive amount of pressure. While this hustle mentality might seem like the quickest path to success, it has consequences. You risk burnout, diminishing performance, and even physical symptoms.
Don’t put your long-term health in danger. Rather, learn how better to manage your career while still protecting your psyche.
With that in mind, here are four tips to help you prioritize your mental health with a heavy workload:
Master Time Management
You have a lot to get done and not much time to do it. That’s a recipe for long hours and high-stress levels. However, if you learn how to get the most out of your limited availability, you can minimize the impact on your mental health.
Here are a few tricks that can help you master time management:
- Make to-do lists
- Prioritize assignments
- Use calendars to juggle deadlines
- Leverage technology
Maintain Boundaries
A heavy workload can take over your life — if you let it. Your employer wants the most out of you that they can get. You need to take steps to ensure that you can still maintain a vibrant personal life in the face of that pressure.
This can prove difficult. You want to please your supervisors and push your career forward. But getting swallowed up by your job will only lead to burnout and diminished happiness.
Instead, make the little decisions every day that can help you keep a healthy work/life balance. These can include:
- Taking vacations
- Scheduling breaks in your day
- Getting plenty of sleep
- Eating healthy
Know Your Limits
Sometimes, you just have to say “no.” If you already have a full plate, don’t volunteer for added assignments. It may feel like you’re letting down your employer and your coworkers. But, ultimately, you’ll see better long-term results by maintaining a sustainable workload.
At the same time, controlling your commitments will bolster your mental health. Stress multiplies as deadlines and responsibilities mount. By keeping things at a manageable level, you minimize the risk of hitting your breaking point.
Ask for Help
You are not alone. Yes, you face a heavy workload. But you’re surrounded by people willing to ease your burden. Reach out to this support system to protect your mental health.
This process works in multiple ways. First of all, turn to your coworkers for help with the work itself. Take advantage of the resources around you to cut into the personal effort you need to expend to finish particular tasks.
At the same time, stay in contact with your supervisors. If you get overwhelmed, let them know. They want to make sure you can succeed in a sustainable way. As such, they should only want to give you what you can handle.
On another front, turn to your personal support system to ease your mental strain. Talk it out with your loved ones. Let them take you out to dinner and vent. This emotional boost will make it easier to deal with the work stress.
Need a New Job That Prioritizes Your Mental Health
The ideal job will challenge you in a healthy way. You want a situation that pushes your career forward without rising your mental health. A top recruiter, like Hiregy, can help you find the ideal position for you.
Contact Hiregy to locate a job that will lift your spirits while still spurring your professional development.
