It's okay not to be okay!

Your mental health is way more important than your career will ever be.

There, I said it. Something that we all often forget but without our health where would we be?

Sometimes, we (or our employers) tend to overlook the fact that we are not robots and should not be expected to operate like one. We often push ourselves beyond our limits, gradually draining our energy and running on empty. Why? Because that’s what society tells us to do; it shows ‘dedication’ to our job, right?

Often, the people around you may not even have a clue that you're going through a tough time. It's ridiculously easy to put on a brave face and hide what's really going on. It's time to bring it out into the open and start talking about mental health in the workplace.

Self-care is how you take your power back.

Whether it’s a toxic workplace, excessive pressure (from yourself/work) or facing personal challenges there are many ways to enhance your work-life balance. Caring for our mental health is an ongoing journey that requires attention, care and proactive steps. Steps to help avoid burnout.

If you need a sign to slow down and give yourself a break this is it!

Are you at risk?

Long, inflexible hours
A never-ending, spiralling workload
A toxic workplace
No communication from management
A lack of support
A feeling of disconnection
Loss of interest in activities (especially things you usually love to do)
Difficulty eating, concentrating and/or sleeping

If any of this sound familiar to you it’s time to put the brakes on.

Steps to take

Recovery time – time off and weekends, don’t forget to take care of yourself and take the breaks you deserve
Prioritize sleep
Eat healthily and use exercise to decrease anxiety
Find meaning in your work – look at how you help others by doing what you do
Connect with friends and family
Take time to do things you love, hobbies, podcasts, walking etc
Go offline
Look at nature
Laugh

Could it be time to switch your role?

A good salary is no longer enough to attract and retain the attention of talented, skilled people like yourself.

Many companies still insist on keeping outdated working standards. Although times are changing and improving, some businesses are still very much set in their ways when it comes to a work/life balance and thus creating their own downfall by not being willing to adapt to the ever-changing times.

At Discovered MENA mental health is a priority. Flexibility reigns all. You have the option to start work from 8 AM, 9 AM or 10 AM depending on if you are an early riser or a night owl and you can work from home twice a week.

Ever dreamed of working abroad? You have the option to work abroad for up to 3 months.

Most of the Discovered team are jetting off to exotic destinations this year. But there's no place like home, so, some will be taking time to soak up quality moments with their loved ones.

And here's another favourite in the office: extended lunches for hitting the gym! This is a biggie for the team because they can smash their workouts during the day, freeing up their mornings and evenings and giving them an energy boost for the rest of the workday!

Oh, not to mention the added 8 extra holiday days to the already cool 22 days in the UAE. More time to recharge and make the most of life outside the office.

Discovered MENA are all about taking care of your mental health. If your work isn’t offering this maybe it's time to think about your next move (we can help you with this too!).

In the meantime, what can you do in your spare time to help with mental health?

Mental health activities in Dubai to try this weekend

•Pottery classes – there are many options, here’s one https://www.themudhousestudio.com/

•Padel - https://www.timeoutdubai.com/sports-wellbeing/sport-wellbeing-features/where-to-play-padel-in-dubai

•Dance classes - https://trixdxb.com/

•Boxing classes - amazing for stress relief https://boxica.ae/

•Paint classes - https://whatson.ae/2023/03/get-creative-at-one-of-these-paint-and-grape-classes-in-dubai/

•Kayaking/SUP - https://www.timeoutdubai.com/uncategorized-content/427056-seven-perfect-places-to-go-kayaking-in-the-uae

•Top Golf - https://topgolfdubai.ae/

In our fast-paced lives, it is crucial to prioritize self-care.

Be mindful of signs of burnout and take necessary breaks when needed. Remember, seeking support is not a sign of weakness but a strength. Let's promote a culture of mutual support and encouragement in our workplaces, where we uplift and assist one another in achieving our goals. Together, we can create a supportive and fulfilling work environment.