How to Prioritize Mental Health at Work, Disclose Challenges, and Stay Inspired with Quotes

Knowing how to prioritize mental health at work is crucial for staying productive and avoiding burnout, especially during Men’s and Women’s Mental Health Months.

I am honored to feature a guest post from Shannon Farrar, the founder of Shannon Farrar Coaching and Consulting, LLC, and Full Circle Life and Health Coaching. Shannon’s personal journey with mental health and entrepreneurship is an inspiring testament to resilience and adaptability. Running two successful businesses while managing anxiety, ADHD, and C-PTSD is no small feat, and Shannon’s story offers invaluable insights for anyone navigating similar challenges.

Thriving in Business While Managing Mental Health Challenges

Running a business—or two!—is no small undertaking. Add in mental health challenges like anxiety, ADHD, and C-PTSD, and it can feel like navigating a high-stakes obstacle course every single day. But Shannon has learned to thrive, not in spite of these challenges, but alongside them.

Here’s how to prioritize mental health at work and make it a part of your daily routine. These are Shannon’s five strategies for balancing entrepreneurship with mental health:

1. Leaning Into Structure (Without Fighting My Brain)

Shannon says “As someone with ADHD, I’ve had to embrace structure, but it has to work with me, not against me. Traditional methods like rigid schedules don’t always fit. Instead, I use systems that feel flexible and intuitive, like time-blocking with buffer zones, setting clear daily priorities, and giving tasks a number and using the google “random number generator” to decide what to do next. Another strategy I use sometimes is looking at my task list when I have a few minutes and asking myself “what can I get done in the time before my meeting?” and get that done. Having a few wins makes me more likely to keep moving. ” Learning how to prioritize mental health at work starts with small, actionable steps.

For those with ADHD, traditional methods like rigid schedules don’t always fit. Shannon uses flexible systems like time-blocking with buffer zones and prioritizing tasks daily. Her secret weapon? A Google Calendar-integrated to-do list that reduces clutter and keeps her organized.

2. Prioritizing Mental Health Like It’s a Business Requirement

Shannon treats therapy, medication, and rest as non-negotiables. Regular therapy sessions, mindfulness practices, and grounding exercises are part of her routine.

Exercise, proper sleep, and a healthy diet also play crucial roles. “Sleeping 7-8 hours a night, eating foods that nourish me, and staying hydrated are mental health game-changers,” she explains. These practices align with recommendations for prioritizing mental health at work.

Awareness months like Men’s Mental Health Month serve as powerful reminders that taking care of our mental well-being is not optional. For male entrepreneurs, it’s an opportunity to challenge societal norms, break stigmas, and model the importance of self-care in business.

For those managing mental health challenges, knowing when and how to disclose mental health at work can be crucial. It’s important to ensure you have the right support and accommodations in place to maintain your well-being and effectiveness in your role.

3. Outsourcing What Drains Me

Shannon emphasizes the value of outsourcing tasks that don’t align with her strengths. Whether it’s hiring a virtual assistant or delegating design work, letting go of energy-draining responsibilities allows her to focus on coaching and connecting.

“For people who’ve experienced trauma, doing everything yourself can feel like a safety mechanism. Learning to lean on others is hard, but it’s worth it. The fewer unnecessary decisions I have to make, the more energy I can pour into my clients and my creative work.For me, that means meal planning, deciding the night before what I am going to wear the next day, and loosely planning my workflow for the week on Sunday evenings.” She adds.

Shannon also emphasizes “For people who have experienced trauma, it can be a trauma response to do everything yourself. If you learned not to depend on the people who should have been there for you – well, it’s hard to learn to lean on other people. But it’s a skill worth learning.”

4. Finding Safe Spaces to Feel and Heal

Entrepreneurship’s highs and lows can hit harder for those with C-PTSD. Shannon relies on her husband, close friends, and her dogs for support during challenging times. She also surrounds herself with a supportive community, including therapists, peers, and accountability partners.

“I’ve also made it a priority to surround myself with people who get it. Whether it’s a therapist, a coach, an accountability partner, a fellow entrepreneur to body-double with, or a peer group, having a safe space to process my feelings, unpack the past, and accommodate my illnesses has been critical to my growth.” Shannon adds.

Initiatives like Women’s Mental Health Month highlight the unique mental health challenges women face, including those related to balancing entrepreneurship, caregiving, and societal expectations. For female business owners, this month is a chance to embrace support networks and prioritize self-care unapologetically.

5. Redefining Productivity on My Terms

Shannon has unlearned the idea that being busy equals being productive. “On some days, productivity looks like crossing five things off my to-do list. Other days, it’s reflecting or journaling. Both move me forward.” She’s also learned to set boundaries and honor her natural rhythms. “Both are valid, and both move me forward in different ways.Some days I can work 8-4 no problem, and some days I need a less rigid schedule. Giving myself permission to exercise the flexibility I have built into my businesses has been harder than I thought it would be. But I am learning to set and enforce boundaries, work when and how I work best, and not to overcommit in my work life or my personal life.”

How to Prioritize Mental Health at Work: Highlighting Mental Health Awareness

June is recognized as Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, shedding light on the unique challenges men face in mental health. Men’s Mental Health Month encourages open dialogue about the often-overlooked mental health struggles men face, particularly in high-stress roles like entrepreneurship.

Similarly, Women’s Mental Health Month focuses on the specific struggles women navigate. Just as Men’s Mental Health Month raises awareness for men, Women’s Mental Health Month focuses on the mental health struggles that women often navigate, such as the pressures of multitasking roles in personal and professional life. These campaigns encourage women to seek help, share their stories, and break the stigma around mental health.

Understanding the importance of mental health at work is essential. This blog post by North Carolina State University provides insightful statistics and actionable tips for promoting mental health in professional settings. Shannon’s approach mirrors these efforts, emphasizing the importance of treating mental health as a priority.

FAQs About Working and Mental Health

1. How can I prioritize mental health at work?

Start by integrating self-care into your daily routine, setting clear boundaries, and seeking professional support if needed. Flexible work schedules, mindfulness practices, and open communication with your employer or team can also help.

2. Should I disclose my mental health at work?

Disclosing mental health challenges at work is a personal decision and should be based on your comfort level and the support systems in place. If your mental health impacts your ability to perform your job, it may help to share your challenges with a trusted manager or HR representative to explore accommodations. When disclosing, focus on how adjustments can improve your productivity and well-being, rather than diving into personal details. Resources like NAMI can help you prepare for these conversations.\n\nThis ties directly to the keyword and provides actionable advice.

3. What are some quick mental health tips for busy entrepreneurs?

• Use time-blocking to manage your schedule.
• Incorporate regular exercise and mindfulness into your day.
• Outsource or delegate tasks that drain your energy.
• Build a supportive network of peers and professionals.

4. What services does Her Balanced World offer?

Her Balanced World is a blog dedicated to helping families manage their lives, finances, and well-being. From budgeting tips to family-friendly recipes and wellness challenges, the blog offers practical advice for living a balanced life—even in the midst of challenges like running a business or managing mental health.

5. How does Men’s Mental Health Month support entrepreneurs?

Men’s Mental Health Month raises awareness about the mental health challenges men face, including the stigma that can prevent them from seeking help. For entrepreneurs, this month emphasizes the importance of creating supportive environments and prioritizing mental health in professional settings.

Quotes About Mental Health

Here are a few quotes to inspire and empower you:

• “It’s okay to not be okay—your mental health is just as important as your physical health.”
  
• “Mental health needs a great deal of attention. It’s the final taboo and it needs to be faced and dealt with.” —Adam Ant
  
• “Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.” —Eleanor Brownn

Final Thoughts

Awareness efforts like Women’s Mental Health Month inspire women to challenge societal norms, embrace their mental health journeys, and take actionable steps to support their well-being while pursuing their goals.

Managing mental health while running a business isn’t about achieving perfection. It’s about finding what works for you, leaning into support when needed, and giving yourself grace when things don’t go as planned. As Shannon says, “You’re not alone. You’re capable. And you’ve got this.” When you know how to prioritize mental health at work, you create a foundation for success and well-being.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember the power of reflection and inspiration. Sometimes, reading quotes about mental health can serve as a quick reminder to slow down, prioritize self-care, and seek support when needed.”

Explore our guide to simple self-care practices that complement efforts to prioritize mental health at work.

About the Author

Shannon Farrar is the founder of Shannon Farrar Coaching and Consulting, LLC, and Full Circle Life and Health Coaching. You can learn more about her services at shannongfarrar.com and fullcirclelifeandhealthcoaching.com.