Slowing Down for Better Mental Health

Accomplishing goals in record time and spending life accumulating as many successes as possible may lead to a decline in quality of workmanship and contribute to poor mental health.

Multitasking is often thought of as a virtue, especially in the workplace, but if it leads to taking on more than the mind and body can comfortably handle it may become a precursor to poor mental health. Dropping off a letter in the outbox on the way to the copy machine is good multitasking, but trying to write two contracts simultaneously can lead to disaster. When a person no longer feels elated or relaxed after a day's work the gains may not outweigh the losses. 

It is not so much about how many hours a day are spent at work, but what is done during those hours is more important. A long lunch in a relaxing atmosphere can do wonders for the over stressed body and mind. Short naps in the middle of the day are not a sign of laziness, but are a good way to regain the strength and freshness lost during the course of an average workday. Exercise is also a good way to take a break and is becoming a common practice in today's business environment.

Extending the workday an hour is worth considering if it allows time for rest and proper breaks from the job. Just as much, or perhaps more, can be accomplished when the task is not rushed. Factor in the time spent off the job because of illness,or just needing a break from stress, and a new way of looking at scheduling work may be needed. Many tasks simply do not need to be completed as quickly as they are done. Sorting assignments into the proper order can help to prioritize them and make their completion less stressful.

Taking time to organize tasks, and allowing for a few minutes of rest between, can reduce stress and eliminate errors. Reading a short magazine article can create a diversion from the problems associated with a given task. Many solutions become apparent after spending a short time thinking about something else. Workers who take breaks, or have lunch together, often discuss and help each other find solutions to work related problems. 

By scheduling easier tasks mixed in with the harder ones the day can be broken up into less stressful periods.Taking on extra tasks may give the appearance of being cooperative, but if they are not completed or done correctly they become wasted effort and create stress and feelings of inadequacy.

Production can be a misleading word, because the statistics often show how much was completed but not how well it was done. Racking up a high number of accomplishments will create insurmountable stress if accompanied with the worry that the job was not done properly.

Using public transportation as much as possible is another way to lower stress and fit more relaxation into a day. The mind is free from the problems of traffic and possible mechanical problems, not to mention finding parking spaces. A few minutes of letting someone else do the worrying helps to clear the mind.

Slow and steady may very possibly be the best method of doing things quickly while maintaining good mental health.

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