- Stay hydrated throughout the day
- Maintain a healthy diet
- Exercise regularly to reduce stress
- Set boundaries and avoid overworking
- Seek support from friends, family, or a mental health professional if needed
- Make sure you set aside time during the week for yourself
- Get enough sleep each night
- Develop healthy coping mechanisms
- Avoid substance abuse
Mental Health Matters
Mental health matters in every industry, but often isn’t talked about enough in the trade industry.
There’s a stigma surrounding mental health in the trade industry, where workers often feel they shouldn’t speak up about their feelings. Spending long hours working laborious, isolated jobs is going to affect people, and 84% of tradespeople in the UK have said their work has affected their mental health at least once.
Prioritising Self Care
Being a business owner and managing vehicles, tools and employees, as well as the financial unpredictability that comes with the trade industry, can often lead to self-care being an afterthought.
It’s important to remember that your personal life and your business life are separate. Making time for yourself and loved ones and setting boundaries within work often slips, but is necessary. Arrange time away from work doing things you enjoy to increase your endorphins and prevent yourself from being run into the ground.
Making Changes
Getting enough sleep at night, eating healthily and remaining active play huge parts in reducing mental health worries. Exercise is a great way to release the stresses that come with working in the trade industry. Try to find a sport you enjoy – whether that’s joining a football club or simply going for an evening walk – and make sure you prioritise your well-being.
Though it’s easier to grab a Tesco meal deal or a McDonald’s in between jobs, consistently eating an unbalanced diet can impact your mental health. Instead, take a few minutes in the morning to pack a lunch and snacks that include fruit, vegetables and protein. You’ll find you have more energy!
Are You Struggling with Your Mental Health?
Talk to people! Friends, family, co-workers. Make sure you speak up and express how you’re feeling so people can help you find a better way to deal with the stress of working in the trade industry. Don’t be afraid to talk about it, remove the stigma that comes with mental health in the trade industry!
Here are a few websites you can try to practise self-care or seek the support you need: