Photo by Elisa Ventur on Unsplash
People assume that if you’re stressed while you’re at work, you’re stressed with the workload itself. That’s not always the case, though most careers are demanding. Sometimes our personal lives tangle with our professional lives, and you find yourself crying at your desk over something that has nothing to do with a client, paperwork, or upcoming deadlines. You received news of the death of a loved one, a long-term relationship has just ended, a friend is angry at you and won’t return your calls. Any of these scenarios can cause various levels of stress and can go as far as to addle the mind as well as the heart. This emotional distress can make it hard to concentrate on any job or profession, let alone other everyday activities.
Generally speaking, if you do find yourself crying endlessly at your desk, that is a major sign to take a sick day or two and considering more support in order to help you unravel the issues and get some guidance. Then the fear might arise: will your boss allow you to take a sick day for this? Though it depends on the situation, the answer should always be yes as hopefully your Boss will have some sympathy for the big issues in life that anyone can struggle with at times.
So, What’s Stopping Us?
Obviously, if you’ve worked hard in the past and are on relatively good terms with your boss, asking for some time off to pull yourself together should be encouraged. However, according to HelpGuide.org, people tend to shy away from asking because they are afraid that their job will be in jeopardy, that they will be judged poorly, or that they will be rejected. When your mental health is at stake, this isn’t something that you should avoid. Regardless of your work performance, everyone has a right to sick leave if they are feeling too anxious or depressed to work.
What you can do to Get Over your Stress While at Work
If you feel confident that you can get through the day, but need to beat off the anxiety, HelpGuide.org suggests that you try:
- Talking with your fellow coworkers. They may be able to relate and help you get through your troubles.
- Be physically and mentally active. Try pacing or playing solitaire on your computer every hour or so. This will be able to distract you from your stress for a moment and refuel you for the rest of your shift.
- Eat healthy or soothing food. Being anxious or nervous can be a wreck to your stomach. Eating soothing food like soup, or maybe a light sandwich can give you the energy you need without giving you more stomach pains.
- Know your limits. If you really feel as if you can’t stay due to personal problems, ask to leave early and to take a few days off if necessary.
How do you Know When to Call It?
Here are some signs that you should look out for to determine if you are indeed having a serious breakdown and not just a bad day:
- Feeling consistently depressed
- Avoiding interactions with others
- Being easily overwhelmed
- Crying easily but at frequent triggers
- Avoiding friends and people you care about
- Making mistakes and feeling regularly confused
- Having trouble getting focused and feeling tired all the time
If you find that you are experiencing any of these signs, you may have to ask for some time off and get better help. Depending on the circumstances, you can get anywhere from a day to a month off. Requesting an even longer leave of absence may require you to see a professional. You can seek help at our site: www.suefirthltd.com, where consultants can assist you in both your personal and professional life. Another option if you’re based in the U.S. would be BetterHelp , where you can receive the advice you need at a reasonable price and that fits in with your own schedule.
By Marie Miguel
