Presented by BetterHelp.
There’s such a huge culture in society for men and boys to learn to be “tough” and “power through” everything they go through. What society doesn’t talk about is how this can harm the emotional self, the ability to attach and connect with others, and can cause men to get burned out at work.
However, you don’t have to quit the hustle to start caring for your mental health. You can be a big businessman, make a bank, and still take care of yourself. Here are some tips for men and boys in the business world looking to regain a sense of themselves and prevent the risks of conforming to any idea of who you “should” be.
Always Have a Break
It’s important to always give yourself a break, whether that’s an hour each day or a weekend off each week. Although it can feel tempting to work seven days a week or take on extra shifts, you have to remember that you’re not a superhuman. All humans need time to relax, unwind, and sift through the thoughts about their days.
In fact, overworking yourself can cause more damage than good in the long run. If you’re finding yourself getting angry or upset often, this is a sign that you’re burned out and you need a bit of a break. It’s also a good idea to cash in on any PTO or vacation time you might have before it expires. On your vacation, challenge yourself not to think about, talk about, or check up on your job.
We know that some of you likely have high-stakes positions. However, even CEOs need a break sometimes. A lot of well-performing CEOs have structured their companies so that they can sit back and observe instead of managing everything on their own. If you find you feel the need to constantly manage your coworkers, you might need to take a step back and learn to trust them just a little.
Get To Know Diverse Colleagues
Expanding your social circle at work is another way to take care of your mental health. If you’re only being exposed to one model of behavior or one type of person at work or in your social life, you’re not learning.
You may find that you get a new perspective on life when you consider speaking to your female coworkers more often. Or perhaps, if you’re a high-level executive, you could spend a couple of shifts with your lower-level workers to see what goes on in their world. Being able to walk in someone else’s shoes is such an important skill that many people often put off to the side.
Consider Online Therapy
Although you may feel like you do not need therapy, there are some good ways to tell if you do. If you relate to any of the following symptoms/statements, you may benefit from speaking to a professional mental health care provider:
- Getting angry quickly (bursts of rage)
- Feeling unable to connect with your inner self or your emotions
- Feeling like you have to work 24/7 to feel good
- Feeling like you’re a failure, even when you succeed
- Comparing yourself to other men or coworkers
- Feeling the need to make jokes/comments that make you uncomfortable to avoid ridicule from other men
- Feeling ashamed of your personality or emotions
- Being unable to cry
All of these signs and symptoms are signs of being affected by stereotypes that have been pushed upon men since they were children. If you are experiencing these things, an online therapist can help. In fact, the mental health of men and boys is being discussed more and more in therapy these days. Take the BetterHelp advice page, for example, https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/mental-heath-of-men-and-boys/.
If you’re a busy man, you likely don’t have time to leave the office and go to therapy. For this reason, online therapy is an excellent tool. You can do it quickly, and you can even do it from the office.
Challenge the Mold
The only way to break the cycle of toxic masculinity in your life is to break the mold. To do this, you’ll likely have to feel uncomfortable. You may have to face some feelings that have been inside for a long time. Remember, there’s nothing weak about needing help. Every human on earth has a limit, and it’s important to know when you’ve reached it. If you hear someone saying something toxic, it’s time to speak up.
Take Time for the People Who Matter
Finally, it’s important to always value the people closest to you in your personal life. Don’t let work take you over. If your wife wants to go out for a date, consider going out. If your child wants you at their first concert, go to their concert. It’s the little things that matter to the people you love, and in the end, we’re all working to provide for and care for those people anyways.
