7 Ways to Deal with Workplace Depression

“Depression is a problem that impacts everyone now and then, the internees and the managers. It is important to build a healthy relationship web among all your employees and understand that the happier they are with their work environment, the most likely your company is going to achieve its goals.” – Haris Aghadi (Co-Founder and CEO Meddy)

According to Dania Douglas, a state manager at National Alliance on Mental Illness, depression and anxiety are the leading cause of low productivity and missing days at work. Individuals often don’t perform well, are stressed throughout the day and ruin relationships at home if they’re anxious and gloomy. The first and foremost thing that one should do is to find the root reason for feeling under the weather. The person can jot down whatever is upsetting him in order to find a solution to the problem. Sometimes, doing this is not very easy and people struggle to pinpoint the issue. In order to address that, the best choice is to schedule an appointment with a specialist.

Now that the individual knows what the problem(s) is, here are some ways to deal with feeling down at work:

1.      Prioritize

Imagine that the amount of work you have is on a plate and that you can carry only the amount that fits onto the plate. Know your weaknesses and strengths and work accordingly. If Mariam can do a certain task in one day, it doesn’t mean that you have to too. Take your time and always remember that it is quality over quantity. The key to being successful at work is not only hard work, but it is also in fact smart work. The number one skill smart workers have is the ability to prioritize. What is important should be done first even if it’s more time-consuming.

2.      Communicate with your boss and the others around you

If you’re experiencing any difficulty with a person, a group or the overall surrounding, it is best to talk to your manager or boss to let him or her know your thoughts. The boss can guide you better, give you tips and help you understand the work and those around you. If you feel that for some reason talking to your boss is not an option, talk to a peer or a person from the HR you can trust. The purpose is to talk to someone who understands the system so that your problems can be resolved. Meddy, the largest doctor booking platform in GCC believes in the ‘buddy program’ where every new hire is ‘buddied’ with an individual from the other department. This allows the new employee to feel at ease and voice their opinions in an unfamiliar environment.

3.      Evaluate the environment

Sometimes, the problem isn’t you. It’s the job. It could be that you’re feeling low because the job entails you to perform tasks that you’re not interested in and thus you have become less motivated to work. Moreover, at times people are interested in the job and they’re great at what they do but the environment isn’t very welcoming. This also demotivates the employee and causes him to get frustrated. A survey suggests that a job that doesn’t suit you can bring about unpleasant traits in your personality including mood swings, anger issues and the habit of smoking.

4.      Learn to keep your private life separate

A great tip for all the employees at all stages is to balance their personal life and work life. Do not overwork yourself and do not take work very lightly. Make sure that you accomplish well for the day and then head home. Forget the work’s worries at work and relax when you’re out of the office. According to Sanila, the manager of an online bakery Sugar Courted, the trick is not to stay back late, but to finish work within the given hours. If you feel that you’re finding it hard to stay put and your routine is taking a toll at your mental health, it is important to seek help from your family or a professional.

5.      Give your body the fuel it deserves

In order for your body to perform its best under all conditions, it is vital to follow a good, personalized diet plan that keeps your brain active. For a metabolic boost, exercise your body through physical exercises. If you do not have time for the gym, brisk walking for just 30 minutes a day, helps!

6.      Keep a healthy and fun pastime

Often work can get hectic even if it’s the job and workplace of your dreams. Many CEOs recommend recreational activities to their employees. It doesn’t have to be an hour at the office’s ping pong table. If poetry gives you joy, go for it! Having a past time adds a sense of excitement to the tedious routine.

Do You Know: Microsoft Japan tested a four-day work week earlier this month and productivity jumped by 40%!

7.      Understand that mental health is important

Yes, it is important to earn money and build a remarkable career but blessed are those who do not ignore their mental well-being in the process. If you get the flu, you get medication to get it treated, if you fall down, you get a band-aid so know that feeling low constantly is your body’s way of telling you that it requires treatment be it through a trip to town or therapy.

How do YOU deal with workplace blues? Let us know in the comments below!