Mental Wellness at work

[runnergirl812]

I'm not sure what most of you do for a living, but I wanted to gauge what other people do to manage their mental health while at work/in public. It's no secret that my GAD and my job are not optimal right now.

So....

What is your profession?

What is your office environment like (office, cubicle, telecommuter, self employed, SAHM)?

What things do you do on a daily basis to cope?

If there was one thing in your dreams that you could change about your job/profession to improve your quality of life, what would it be?

What ways could you practically improve how you cope at work or during the day?

[runnergirl812]

Jun 10, 2015 21:48:09 GMT -5 runnergirl812 said:

What is your profession?

What is your office environment like (office, cubicle, telecommuter, self employed, SAHM)?

What things do you do on a daily basis to cope?

If there was one thing in your dreams that you could change about your job/profession to improve your quality of life, what would it be?

What ways could you practically improve how you cope at work or during the day?

I'll start:

I'm a medical writer.

I work in an office building with a low walled cubicle with an open floor plan. I am able to telecommute one day a week (Tuesdays).

On a daily basis, I do boxed breathing before and during work. I always have my water bottle or hot ginger tea nearby. I 95% of the time have my earbuds in and I'm listening to music to tune out my loud coworkers and avoid physical conversation/ interaction.

If I could change one thing I would either work 4-10+ hour days and have every Friday off. Or be able to telecommute 4 days a week and come in once a week for meetings. My dream is to have a remote job 100%.

One practical way I can improve my work environment is by adding fresh flowers week to my desk. I used to do that and have slacked off.

[Deleted]

What is your profession? Targeted Case Management

What is your office environment like (office, cubicle, telecommuter, self employed, SAHM)? Small office space in an attic, lots of field work.

What things do you do on a daily basis to cope? Some days I just close my office door. Some days I have to go in a little late because I can't handle the day.

If there was one thing in your dreams that you could change about your job/profession to improve your quality of life, what would it be? If they could lower our caseloads back down that would be great. From 25 to 45.

What ways could you practically improve how you cope at work or during the day? If my boss would let me come in later, instead of using up my FMLA sick time. That would be so helpfull.

[yoshijo28]

Great question. I'm starting to struggle at work now (my physical appearance has changed and I get asked if I'm tired often and I've been told I don't smile like I used to and have a difficult time concentrating in meetings)

What is your job?Training and development manager. I write curriculum for our training class and am in charge of our quality assurance department and training department. I also conduct department wide trainings.

What is your office environment like?We moved to a huge building within the last few years. I got my own office 2 years ago which has been wonderful and tough. It's great if I need to focus (with the OCD it can be hard to hear all background noise and hard to focus). But it's bad if I'm left with my own thoughts too much and feel lonely. Last winter I went through a very rough time where I felt useless and alone at work. I'd have a panic attack in my office or be so depressed I just played online all day. It's a very strict environment with no cell phones allowed and we have to drink from company approved water bottles and coffee mugs. So being In my office lets me have more control because I don't have to follow those rules.

It's difficult for me to stay in the conversation in meetings because I'm always having OCD obsessive thoughts running through my head.

Sometimes it's is difficult because I have anxiety speaking in front of large groups. I'm ok giving trainings to our employees but if my bosses walk in I freeze. I also have a hard time in meetings with executive management and just pray I never have to give a big presentation.

We are also a 24/7 environment and my job involves meeting with all 60 employees to provide training and updates. Sometimes it's difficult to meet with them all between call outs or people working different shifts ( I work m-f days) so my OCD bothers me when I don't get to meet with everyone at once or I have to wait until the next day. I like to finish things quickly and in this environment they just drag on which causes me stress. I have to come in early or stay late for the overnight and evening shifts often.

What things do you do to cope? If I have a plan for the day I'm usually ok. If I have nothing important to do I feel badly about myself and very depressed. Sometimes it's hard for me to get motivated so I go on the computer or talk to co workers for the first 1/2 hr. Then if I'm struggling a cup of coffee will calm me down (with my OCD sometimes I get compulsions to drink it but when my stomach hurts it's hard to not drink it). If I have a big presentation I'm too nervous for I take Xanax too.

Also, my boss knows about my ED and anxiety and lets me leave early on Tuesdays for my therapy appointment. He also catches me up if I zone out or can't concentrate in a meeting. If I freeze he also helps me finish my thoughts or explain things to the executives. He is so helpful.

I also make to do lists with every single thing I need to do.i never accomplish them in 1 day which drives me crazy and I have to re write the list the next day. But it keeps me organized.

If there is 1 thing you could change about your profession what would it be?I want to be recognized more for what I do. I contribute a lot to daily operations and procedures. I still haven't gotten enough of a raise IMO for becoming the manager if this department. I may need to use fmla if I do treatment and I'm soo nervous about what they would think.

eta sorry so long but this has been on my mind a ton lately! I value my job and don't want anything to affect it negatively.

Eta2:

TLDR: I'm a manager in a 24/7 environment, my anxiety and ocd get in the way of me giving presentations in front of people and focusing in meetings. My boss is understandable and gives me support and some flexibility to help me.

[juliayadda]

What is your profession?
Executive assistant to 60 managers and sr. managers.

What is your office environment like (office, cubicle, telecommuter, self employed, SAHM)?

it's an open station, with low walls and a good amount of storage.

What things do you do on a daily basis to cope?

1. Music. Sometimes I need to concentrate or just dont want people to talk to me. So I plug in. My clients almost all reach me through email or instant message.

2. I am an information pack rat. I keep everything that crosses my desk. I keep a paper trail or electronic trail to cover my butt/fix issues.

3. I write down everything I do.

If there was one thing in your dreams that you could change about your job/profession to improve your quality of life, what would it be?

We have to track our time in a system (this is in addition to our time sheet) My life at work is broken down into 6 minute segments. I would change this system to an open/closed system. Our time isn't chargeable so there is no reason to track it on this level.

I work on a team of three and one of the team members is just not on the same level as the two of us. I wish he would just get it together. He is a good person, but after 3 years you would think he would figure it out. I am constantly afraid he is going to get fired.

What ways could you practically improve how you cope at work or during the day?

Right now getting up and walking around more may be a good idea. I tend to push myself to finish just one more thing, just one more thing, before I let myself get a tea, or even go to the washroom.

[icequeen]

This is a great conversation! I think I will share my experience from the only two jobs I've ever had. The first caused me a great deal of anxiety and stress, and the second is also stressful but in different ways.

What is your profession? 1. Post-doctoral research associate 2. SAHM

What is your office environment like (office, cubicle, telecommuter, self employed, SAHM)? 1. Office/lab 2. My house

What things do you do on a daily basis to cope? 1. I did nothing to cope. I was a crying mess every day, literally. 2. I get up early to pray, do deep breathing exercises, journal, and mentally prepare for everything I have to get done.

If there was one thing in your dreams that you could change about your job/profession to improve your quality of life, what would it be? 1. Be trained to do the job I was meant to do instead of giving me tasks I did in grad school, and not be manipulated and given mixed messages about my progress and projects. 2. To have more time to go to therapy appointments while my nanny babysits DD, to have more time for myself, and to have MH validate that I am doing a good job more often.

What ways could you practically improve how you cope at work or during the day? 1. Shut my office door and do breathing exercises, work from home more often, be more open with people about my needs. 2. Nap while DD naps, have a designated afternoon, or another few hours a week to do something for myself (ha, right.)

[Deleted]

I like this topic! Thanks for posting runnergirl812.

What is your profession? Ecologist with a consulting firm.

What is your office environment like (office, cubicle, telecommuter, self employed, SAHM)? low-walled cubicle in a small office (my desk overlooks the river so it is much nicer than it sounds). And sometimes I get to do field work, sometimes in beautiful places.

What things do you do on a daily basis to cope? Deep breathing, mental breaks to look out at the scenery, relaxation exercises when I start to feel tense.

If there was one thing in your dreams that you could change about your job/profession to improve your quality of life, what would it be? A little more time on field work, a little less time in meetings. I would also like an office for some privacy (I think this would reduce my anxiety and feeling self-conscious), but I don't want to give up my river view either.

What ways could you practically improve how you cope at work or during the day? Take more mini-breaks to stretch or take a walk.

[Deleted]

@giamia923 Of course, I remember you.

[runnergirl812]

I just realized how many scientists/PhDs we probably have in here. I used to be a postdoc in a vaccine research lab.

Kool beans!

[irishvodkagrl]

What is your profession? I am a licensed Insurance Agent and Office Manager

What is your office environment like (office, cubicle, telecommuter, self employed, SAHM)? Small business, open working area. There are three of us in a small area without any separation

What things do you do on a daily basis to cope? I have a digital picture frame with shots of family and friends and favorite places that rotates. Helps remind me of why I'm working. I use to have a plant but sadly had to sacrifice it for room. I also have a board with artwork from my nieces and nephew.

If there was one thing in your dreams that you could change about your job/profession to improve your quality of life, what would it be? I would make enough money from my Theatre design and consulting job that I could quit this one and do that full time.

What ways could you practically improve how you cope at work or during the day? I don't really know- I have notoriously bad coping skills