World Mental Health Day: Taking Care of Our Minds at Work and Home
October 10th is World Mental Health Day. This year, the focus is on mental health at work. Where we work can really affect how we think, feel, and show up for our family. Many people spend about 8 hours a day at their job–and for parents, that work continues at home.
Balancing work and home can be tough. Dealing with a sleepless night or managing a tween’s attitude may be hard to shake off and leave behind. Stress at home can make those long workdays even harder!
Here are three tips to help you balance work and home:
Set Boundaries (and stick to them!): Make sure work doesn’t come home with you every day. Decide when work ends and family time begins. This might mean turning off your computer at a certain time or not checking your phone during dinner. Being there for your family can help reduce stress, and work can wait for a bit!
Embrace the Power of 'No': Parents often say yes to things, whether it’s extra work or more activities for the kids. But saying yes too much can be overwhelming. Practice saying no when you need it. You’ll feel better when you have some extra time to relax!
Take Breaks (...seriously!): Taking short breaks throughout your workday can be a game-changer. Go outside, grab a snack, or just take a minute to breathe. Small breaks can make a big difference, giving you time to recharge so you can do a better job.
By taking care of yourself, you’re not only showing you value your own mental health and well-being—you’re setting an example for your kids too. And that’s something we all support at HeyKiddo!