Ellen's October Mental Health Article: You don’t have to white-knuckle your way through Q4

It’s autumn in Thornaby. We’ve put the heated blanket on the cat’s sofa on high and we’ve broken out the hot chocolate. We’re all set to enjoy the cold season!

So, on with the post.

The final quarter can feel intense. At work there’s pressure about targets, appraisals, and wrapping up annual reports. At home, Deepavali, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year involve travel, seeing family (some of whom are not easy) and financial worries.

If you already live with anxiety, depression, burnout, or trauma-related stress, your nervous system may feel permanently on alert/panic. This can lead to racing thoughts, poor sleep, and exhaustion.

If you’re feeling the pressure, know you’re not alone. 

A 12-year Finnish study found that:
•    Depression-related sickness absence peaks in October and November.
•    Anxiety-related absence peaks in November.
•    Sleep-disorder-related absence increases in the autumn and winter.

In the US, a survey found that 53% of workers felt more stressed than usual during the winter holidays, while 22% said their overall wellbeing declined. They cited financial pressure, holiday preparation, family commitments, lack of self-care and increased workload.

While companies should manage workloads so their employees are not burdened, you can also help yourself by building sensible habits. 

First, understand that anxiety and depression lie, and very convincingly. Anxiety whispers that the worst thing we worry about is happening right now; depression says we are helpless. 

To uncover this, monitor your body’s nervous system and your thoughts. 

Second, figure out your triggers. It may be a lack of sleep, a colleague panicking, or an echo from old trauma. Knowing your triggers will help you manage and monitor your stress levels. 

Once that is done, prioritising your workload will be easier. 

Bottom-line: you cannot always choose the workplace you are dealing with. But you can understand yourself, strengthen your stress responses and seek support before pressure starts to dictate your sleep, mood, and relationships.

If the final quarter is already affecting your mental health, sessions can help you prepare and manage rather than simply endure it.


That’s it.
Warm wishes,
Ellen