A couple of decades ago, people would rarely utter anything that pertains to their mental health. This was once perceived as a social stigma that caused countless people to bottle up instead of seeking health. Nowadays, when times have gone more progressive and accepting, many have slowly acknowledged that it is truly a problem that should not be taken lightly.
Perhaps it’s the old social stigma that has still imbibed a sense of shame in terms of seeking help and acknowledging we’re having problems. But truth be told, everyone gets to experience some degree of mental health issues. The difference is, many just dismiss this as a sense of burning out, stress, or irritability.
This is an era when countless individuals have opted to work at home instead of coming to the office every single day. And as fun as that sounds, there will come a point when we feel like having cabin fever and think the walls are closing in. Taking care of our mental health is just as important as taking care of our physical wellness.
Below are a few tips that you can do even while on your table:
Connect with people. When we say connect with people, this means you should try and talk to people that you feel most comfortable with. You don’t even need to talk about how you’re feeling, so don’t worry if you’re shy or uncomfortable discussing your mental state. Just have a nice conversation about anything that you both enjoy, have a laugh or two, and you’ll feel a lot better.
Do some table exercises. This sounds weird and yet could be fun to do. You can start telling yourself there’s no longer any excuse not to get some exercise done even if you’re busy at work. Exercise helps release happy hormones that can tide you through any mental fog you’re experiencing. You can do some simple leg lifts or push-ups without getting on the floor. Lean your weight on the table’s edge and push and pull your body against it.
Get your game on. Take a break every once in a while. And what better way to relax than with a few games that you enjoy. When you’re having fun with your activity, you tend to relax. And when you’re relaxed, your mind will also be at ease. Don’t be surprised if a great idea pops into your head while you’re playing a game. Win-win, right?
Have a small plant on your table. Having a small plant like a succulent, cactus, or even a small fern can be a great addition to your workspace. Not only will it help make your space feel more Zen, but you can also tend to it in between your tasks. It will be a welcome distraction for you when you start feeling creativity slipping away.
Read. Even if you’re not a big reader, you can flip through a magazine or browse through a few interesting articles. Maybe even learn a thing or two. Even if you’re trying to relax, keeping your mind running can give you a benefit.
Learn something new. You don’t need to learn and do something. The mere idea of learning how a process is done will give you a newfound interest. Have you ever been curious about how candy is made? Go watch a video and see how it’s done both at home and a factory. Feeding your sense of curiosity is good for you.
Do your hobbies (or start a new one). The whole point of having hobbies is to have something productive to do during your spare time. It must be something you enjoy doing regardless of the process or outcome. Whether it be painting, putting together scale models, or other forms of craft, make time to do them even for just a few minutes each day.
Switch tables and chairs. Make the switch to ergonomic furniture. This simple move is an investment and will work more to your advantage than you think. Ergonomic furniture is specially designed to provide a multitude of health benefits that most people do not consider possible to reap from simple furniture. These are not only stylish and unique to the eye, but the topmost benefit of ergonomics is a proper posture that will reduce the development of pain and injury. However, good ergonomic furniture also can encourage better blood circulation that will prevent any other diseases. And most of all, these can easily give you a good mood boost that is good for your mental health. Think about it, if you’re pain-free, relatively happy, and focused, you’ll least likely to develop any possible anxiety, depression, or other forms of mental health issues.
Apart from the aforementioned, it is also a good thing for you to consider other factors that can affect your mental health. This includes eating well, giving yourself some time to rest (and a good amount of it), and find a reason to give you a good disposition in life. Find the time to get a new appreciation for the things you never gave a second to look at: be it the feeling of sunshine on your skin in the morning, a good meal from your favorite place, walking barefoot, or even organizing your closet. Whatever you know makes you feel all warm inside is a good idea to do whenever you’re feeling a little low. Most importantly, acknowledge the moment you’re not feeling your best, and instead of sulking further to figure out why you’re feeling the way you do, take a break and have some fun.
Keep in mind that you should always prioritize yourself and it’s not selfish to take care of your well-being even if you have a lot of priorities that you think should take control of your life. If you’re not in your best shape, you cannot expect to take care of all your other obligations in the same way you think it deserves. So let’s end this with a little food for thought: you cannot pour from an empty cup.
