8 Tips On How To Deal With Depression While Trying To Be Productive At Work | Special Tips For WFH

Getting up in the morning, making your bed, brushing your teeth, eating breakfast…All this can be exhausting when you’re struggling with depression. Throw in the complications and struggles of work and you’ve got more than just a complicated situation.

Job stress and anxiety affect us all. Worrying about meeting deadlines, conflicts in the workplace, and different responsibilities can all become overwhelming. But when you’re struggling with depression, negative feelings and intrusive thoughts can leave you feeling detached from reality, making it difficult to focus on work and your health at the same time.

In this article, I’ve compiled some easy tips to cope with depression while trying to be productive at work. Keep reading until the end for some tips when working from home (WFH, can be frustrating too!)

Why Dealing With Depression Is Hard While Working?

Depression is currently one of the most common disorders that affect people all around the world. You are not alone in your struggles. You are not alone who finds it difficult to focus on being productive at work while managing depression.

And while the symptoms of depression can vary, many of them still affect more than one important aspect of your life whether it be personal or professional.

Do you find it difficult to concentrate on work and make smart decisions? Do you feel emotionally and mentally drained all the time? Do you feel irritable and can’t put a positive spin on your work, no matter how hard you try?

If yes, then these are all signs of depression. However, it is suggested you consult a professional for an official diagnosis.

Depression can cause you to lose interest in things you once enjoyed. Managing work while struggling and coping with depression can become overwhelming and can reduce your capacity to deal with your stressors.

Depression also affects your memory, takes your ability to make decisions, decreases motivation, and makes you feel continually exhausted.

If you’re struggling with depression or any other mental health disorder and it is affecting your ability to focus on work and being productive, you can talk to a professional mental health counselor or discuss your options with your boss.

Below are some tips to help you deal with depression while trying to be productive at work.

Tips To Help You Stay Productive

1. Your Workspace Matters

So you might not be able to control what happens to you in your workplace but how you keep your workspace can be controlled. Clutter can also affect your ability to focus. Make sure your workspace is clutter-free and clean. You can also add features such as soft lights, plants, or pictures of your loved ones on your desk.

2. Self-Care Is Important

Depression can make you feel detached and disconnected from reality. In such cases, self-care can help. Self-care at work is possible. Go for a walk outside, splash cold water on your face, or go for a cup of coffee. Anything to put a smile on your face!

3. Focus Exercises Can Help

Small exercises (which you can practice at your desk) can help you maintain your focus at work. Practices such as breathing techniques, chanting a mantra, or taking a walk can help. You can also try a short body scan meditation or some grounding techniques to help you become more mindful.

4. Meals During Work Also Matters

Heavy meals during work are not good. Such meals can slow down your brain which can affect your work and depression. Sugary substances can also affect you and make you sleepy and drowsy. Avoid eating meals with lots of carbohydrates and sugar at work. Switch to healthier meals and drinks at work.

5. Work-Life Balance Should Be There

Maintaining a work-life balance is also important to prevent depression from worsening. Keep your work at work. Homelife should be apart from work life. Worrying about work while at home can be unhealthy and vice versa.

6. Speak To A Professional

Living with depression can be hard and so can be managing other aspects of your life such as school, work, social life, etc. No matter your situation, seeking professional help can benefit you. Talk therapy, support groups, and medications are available to help you cope with your symptoms.

7. Don’t Overwork

Not only overwork but due deadlines can also put a lot of stress worsening your depression. TO avoid this, you can work on clearing your backlog as much as possible. Answer to emails as soon as you get them, complete projects sooner, etc. Preventing pile-ups or overwork can help you manage your depression.

8. Consider Changing Jobs

If you’re continuing to experience depression at work, it can be because of your working conditions too. If you’re being bullied or if your superiors are unsupportive, it can affect your productivity and performance too. Maybe look into changing your job for your mental health.

Working From Home? Here’s What To Keep In Mind

All the above tips can work on a work-from-home space too! There are some other things you can do to make sure your WFH workspace is productive:

• Put a sign on your door to alert your family that you’re working or in deep focus.
• Put an alarm to end your workday. You can also set an alarm for downtime and self-care.
• Instead of putting your devices on “sleep”, you can switch them off.
• Putting up a focus timer or a calendar to help you manage your day-to-day tasks. It’ll help you avoid overwork.
• Make reminders to complete your deadlines on time.

Motivation can be hard to find when you’re struggling with depression but with these above-mentioned steps, you can learn to manage your symptoms while staying productive at work.

If you’re still struggling with depression, then it is recommended you speak to a mental health professional for a proper diagnosis. YOu can also connect with us at info@calmsage.com or DM us on social media.

Found this article helpful? Did the above tips help you? Let us know your thoughts and comments below! We’re always happy to hear from you!

Keep Smiling & Take Care!