How Introverts Can Cope With Depression in the Workplace - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How Introverts Can Cope With Depression in the Workplace - Introvert Whisperer How Introverts Can Cope With Depression in the Workplace If you suffer from something like carpal tunnel or a bad back while at work, chances are you’ll take steps to address the issue. You’ll take proper breaks, stand up and stretch on a regular basis, and get some lumbar back support or a more ergonomic chair. After all, it’s natural to address our physical ailments â€" especially in our workspaces, where we need to maintain productivity. One struggle that often goes unnoticed, however, is depression. The long-term, slowly creeping, nefariously subtle onset of depression can make it difficult to identify as an issue in the first place. But once it has taken hold, depression’s elusive ability to be properly addressed can make it extremely difficult to deal with … and cripple our ability to work for months and even years at a time. Not Alone Suffering from depression isn’t an uncommon issue. In fact, depression could take second place as a leading global cause of disability as soon as 2020. In other words, a lot of people struggle with depression. Not only that, but introverts, in particular, are often more susceptible to slipping into a depressed state of mind. The revelation is hardly a surprising one; introverts have busy, bustling minds that are constantly churning. They can easily get lost in unexpressed thoughts and emotions, and their typically creative minds can leave them feeling unfulfilled and uninvested in the humdrum daily happenings that surround them. They also can be perfectionistic and severely critical of themselves, both of which, when unchecked, can feed into self-esteem issues and, consequently, depression. Of course, being introverted isn’t the only thing that can exacerbate depression symptoms. It can develop from a variety of other things as well. For example, seasonal changes can lead to seasonal affective disorder. Hormonal fluctuations from things like premenstrual syndrome or post-birth “baby blues” can intensify depression for women as well. Anxiety and stress, in general, are also common culprits. When life throws stressful events our way, they can often be difficult to process. Sometimes, depending on the individual and the cause of the stress, it can blow over quickly and everything will go back to normal. However, if our brains get stuck in overdrive â€" an easy thing for an introvert â€" it can seriously affect our mood and predispose us to depression. Coping With Depression in the Workplace Whatever the cause, once depression has taken hold, it can be intensely difficult to break free. This is compounded by the stigma associated with mental health, which can prevent workers from seeking mental health resources and support. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to address it. In fact, there are quite a few ways to actively combat depression as you go through your workday. Drink Tea Studies have shown that drinking green tea can have a positive effect in the fight against depression symptoms. It has also been linked to reward learning â€" the idea of following a positive experience with a positive response â€" which, in turn, can also directly impact depression. In other words, green tea is a win-win in more ways than one. Take a Mental Health Day Mental health days are the cognitive equivalent of a sick day, and they’re growing in popularity as more workplaces acknowledge the importance of tending to their employees’ mental health as well as their physical ailments. It’s a trend that employees should take full advantage of. Being able to tap out for a day or two in order to tend to your mental state can be an excellent way to combat workplace depression. Analyze Your Thought Processes Of course, if you take a day to rest your mind, you don’t want to spend it stewing over depressing thoughts. Whether you’re taking a mental health day or not, it’s important to also make sure to take the time to analyze and address your thought processes. The good news here is that introverts have an advantage: They’re typically more practiced in the realm of cognitive analysis since they spend so much time thinking and pondering. This gives them a leg up on identifying bad thought processes and cognitive distortions. The critical factor here, though, is that you make yourself willing to identify shortcomings and incorrect thoughts without simply allowing it to dogpile on your self-esteem issues. When taking the time to analyze your thoughts, make sure to keep a positive mindset and look for ways to improve your mental state rather than simply finding more reasons to be depressed. Don’t Give Up on Appearance It doesn’t matter if you’re attending a networking event or getting ready to work from the couch all day â€" if you’re struggling with depression, it’s critical that you make an effort to make yourself presentable. If you actually take the time to get dressed, brush your teeth, and tend to your overall appearance, it will naturally help promote positive feelings about yourself. Get Some Sunshine Sunshine is an age-old prescription for depression. It’s important to understand, though, that you may need regular and prolonged treatment for weeks to feel the full effects of this one. If you can get some daily time in the sun, it shouldn’t be long before you start feeling a difference. Studies have shown that “light therapy” has been effective for as much as 70% of those fighting against SAD symptoms. Take Breaks Taking breaks is an important part of any workday. It’s already proven to boost productivity, but it can also help fight depression at the same time. Not only does this give your mind an important rest, but it allows you to stretch, get some exercise, and even seek out some sunlight or another cup of green tea. Gaining a Deeper Understanding As a final piece of advice, remember that you’re not alone in your struggle. As you try to implement various ways to relieve your depression symptoms, rest in the fact that there are countless others quietly struggling by your side. The plain truth is, everyone fighting depression is searching for a solution to their problem. Yet, no one will ever create the “perfect formula” that answers every conundrum that depression presents. And it’s okay to not have those sudden, life-changing answers. Rather, try to focus on small but significant changes. Sooner or later, you’ll begin to feel the shackles of depression shake loose and a more positive mindset become the norm once again. By: Frankie Wallace Frankie Wallace  is a blogger from Boise, Idaho and a recent graduate from the University of Montana. Wallace contributes to a variety of different blogs online and focuses on writing about career advice. Image Source: Pixabay Go to top Bottom-line â€" I want to help you accelerate your career â€" to achieve what you want by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my 4 Building Blocks to Relationships eBookâ€" the backbone to your Networking success and fantastic work relationships.  Grab yours by visiting here right now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer