May might bring flowers from April showers, but it also brings something more important – Mental Health Month. By now, you probably know mental health affects all aspects of life: physical health, sleep, relationships with family and friends, nutrition and exercise … the list goes on. (Read all our Mental Health Matters posts here.) But one thing we may not always think of is how neglecting our mental health affects our work. It can affect attitudes, relationships with co-workers, productivity, absenteeism and earnings on the job. 200 million days are missed every year in America because of depression and anxiety alone. Along with that, nearly 60% of people don’t disclose conditions to employers for fear of professional repercussion or being seen as “weak.”

It’s clear employers need to make their employee’s mental health a priority. Thankfully, many companies are stepping up to do just that by offering extended EAP services, on-site gyms and yoga classes, walking groups, healthy food options in kitchens, flexible work schedules for therapy appointments and more. Some may even find that medical marijuana options (like those shown in this guide to dabbing) can help them find peace from their anxiety. These are great steps on the road to recovery, taking some time out for yourself and practising self-love, you may also want to consider checking the law in your state and checking out how to get marijuana card.

In addition to benefits your employer may offer you, here are 5 tips to help you manage your own mental health at work:

1. Be part of a team– Helping someone else will make you feel better about yourself for lending a hand and accomplishing a common goal

2. Organize your day – Being disorganized can build stress and anxiety. Avoid these feelings by taking some time to organize and plan.

3. Go for a walk – waking will clear your head and get you outside. If it’s not a nice day – try walking around your office or even driving to a mall to walk.

4. Take a time out – Step away from your workspace and focus on your breathing. Even if it’s just a matter of standing up from your desk and walking around to the other side – sometimes a chance in perspective is all you need.

5. Say good morning – be kind to people and say good morning to co-workers. You don’t have to be best friends with all your co-workers, but it’s nice to have some people who care about you on a personal level.

Managing mental health conditions in the workplace is definitely achievable if you look into resources your employer currently offers and make sure you take care of yourself by following the tips above. If you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed out or like something is just a little “off” and not getting better, check out Jefferson Center’s website to learn more about how we can help!

This blog was originally posted as part of Jefferson Center’s Mental Health Matters blog. To read more, check it out here.

Shannon Gwash is the marketing and public relations manager for Jefferson Center for Mental Health and is also a Certified Mayo Clinic Wellness Coach. She earned her MS from the University of Denver in Strategic Health Communications/Behavior Change. She has nearly 10 years of experience in the communication world and nearly three in parenting … which clearly makes her an expert there. To stay sane, she runs around Sloan’s Lake, hikes with her daughter, enjoys outdoor concerts and reads nerdy books.