The Overlap We Need to Talk About More: Mental Health and Work

Hello there. Molweni. Molweni :)

I can’t believe I’m writing this from bed, down with the flu yet again. The week ended on a rough note, and I’ve spent most of the weekend keeping warm and trying to recover. So this week’s post will be short, but it is an important one.

One thing I’ve truly appreciated over the past few years is the growing advocacy around mental health. The global pandemic, in particular, pushed professionals to speak more openly about mental health and its intersection with the world of work. It’s not that we weren’t talking about mental health before, but those conversations often stayed within our close circles. Social media has played a huge role in changing that, creating space for professionals to share how mental health intersects with the world of work.

Hearing such conversations made me more conscious of my own mental well-being in a professional context. Much of what I heard, I already understood on some level, but I didn’t always have the language to express it. The biggest shift for me was realizing just how connected my mental health and my work truly are. For years, I thought they were separate. It is only in the past few years where I have understood that they constantly influence each other, and that I have a responsibility to manage how they intersect. I know this isn’t a simple topic, and it’s impossible to cover all the nuances in a single blog post. Think of this post as the beginning of an ongoing conversation, one we can revisit from time to time to reflect and check in. The goal for today is to get us to talk more about the intersection between mental health and work, and to explore ways we can start improving how these two areas influence each other.

Understanding that our mental health and work are deeply connected is one thing, actively managing that integration is another. The truth is, no one else can fully take on that responsibility for us. Employers can provide resources, and friends can offer support, but we are the ones living inside our minds every day. Managing this integration means paying attention to how work affects our mood, energy, and stress levels, and vice versa. It means building habits that protect our well-being so we can consistently show up as our best selves.

A few ways to start managing this integration between mental health and work are :

• Setting clear boundaries between work and personal time,

• Taking breaks before you hit burnout,

• Being honest with yourself (and when possible, with others) about your capacity, and

• Making time for activities that recharge you.

Taking care of our mental health improves not just how we feel, but also how we think, make decisions, and respond under pressure. This is the foundation for long-term career growth.

A crucial habit to develop is regularly checking in with ourselves and reflecting on challenging situations as they happen. Too often, we rush into “solution” or “survival” mode without pausing to consider how experiences truly made us feel. While we may be comfortable unpacking personal issues, we tend to shy away from processing emotions related to work. This avoidance allows unresolved feelings to quietly build up, undermining both our well-being and job performance over time.

Many of us rarely ask how specific situations or conversations have impacted our emotions, and we may struggle to regulate these feelings effectively. Internalizing stress and emotions is one of the primary ways work can negatively affect our mental health. Additionally, reflection is often delayed or neglected altogether. Think about how you handle tough weeks: do you simply push through, feeling relieved when they’re over, only to bury those experiences and hope for an easier week ahead? While this approach is common, it isn’t helpful.

Reflection is a powerful tool that can transform the way we manage work stress. Taking the time to reflect not just on the actions we took, but also on the feelings and reactions those situations sparked, helps us develop greater self-awareness. Though it’s not always easy, this practice is essential. By identifying both healthy and unhealthy responses, you can consciously build on positive habits and work to change the ones that hold you back; paving the way for improved mental health and career success.

Taking care of your mental health is not just a personal priority, it’s a crucial part of building a successful career. By actively managing the connection between your well-being and work, you empower yourself to perform at your best, adapt to challenges, and grow sustainably. The responsibility to nurture this integration lies with you, and embracing it will help you break through hidden barriers and achieve lasting professional fulfillment.

I hope we can pick this conversation up again in a few months and check in.

Have an intentional and blessed week.

Lots of love,

Zizo