Mental health is such an important issue. Mental blocks, or just slumps, can happen to the best of us, no matter how mentally strong we are. The longer they go on, the more they can really get to you. Sometimes, the more we try to get out of them, the worse we get. Know what we mean?
In light of the recent Tradies National Health Month and R U OK Day, we’ve decided to share some tips on how to ‘shake off the slump’ and start the process of finding a solution.
Here are 6 ways to get your mental health back on track:
1. Recognise the problem
This is the first step you need to take when starting to solve a problem. If you’re in denial the issue is real, you’re doomed. Once you’ve accepted the fact that it’s a problem, you can take actionable steps to get it resolved.
2. Move around
Being stagnant is often part of the problem with a mental slump. You need to get the juices flowing again before you can start to come up with solutions. In fact, exercise releases endorphins, which are proven to reduce stress and increase levels of happiness. Even if it’s a quick walk around the block, it’s a great way to refresh your thoughts.
3. Shake up your routine
Routines are both good and bad. If you want to get in shape, you need to work out routinely. When it comes to your work life, however, routines can really wear you down sometimes. Shake up your routine, work a day out of the office, spend a day on the tools, find a way to change things up.
4. Write it down
We can all get lost in our thoughts, especially when we’re in a mental slump. We spend so much time thinking about solutions that we forget some of the good ones. As you work through your process, you need to always write things down. Just get them on paper, in no particular order, and you’ll be able to reference them when you need them.
5. Sleep on it
Mental slumps are often the result of being overworked. The solution most people look to in this situation is, you guessed it, more work. This is the last thing you want to be doing.
Your brain is tired and you need to give it a rest. If you’re in a mental slump and you’ve spent the whole night trying to find a solution, you need to shut things down and sleep on it. You’ll wake up the next day refreshed and ready to tackle the problem. In fact, you may even find the answer in your sleep!
6. Talk to someone
Some people think mental slumps need to be handled alone. And sometimes they’re right. However, there are times when you need to consult others. A friend or a family member, a colleague, coach. It just needs to be someone you trust and respect. Start a conversation, you won’t regret it!
Everyone gets into a slump from time to time. It’s only human. It’s okay not to be okay!
What’s next?
- Join our Kick-Ass Tradies Facebook Group, for access to trade business specific conversations, tips and resources, plus a like-minded community of tradies.
- Book a 15-minute Game Plan Call with Andy, owner of Dr. DRiP plumbing and co-founder of Lifestyle Tradie, to clarify your priorities and get clear action steps.
If you or anyone you know is suffering from mental illness, reach out:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Beyondblue: 1300 22 4636
- MensLine Australia: 1300 78 99 78
