What do you do if your mental well-being is suffering in a creative problem solving career?

1 Recognize the signs

The first step to taking care of your mental health is to be aware of the signs that you are struggling. Some common indicators of mental distress include feeling overwhelmed, anxious, irritable, exhausted, or depressed. You may also notice changes in your sleep, appetite, concentration, motivation, or creativity. If you experience any of these symptoms, don't ignore them or hope they will go away. Instead, acknowledge them and seek help if needed.

3 Set boundaries

One of the reasons why creative problem solving can be stressful is that it often involves working on multiple projects, collaborating with different stakeholders, and meeting various expectations. To avoid feeling overwhelmed or overworked, you need to set boundaries and prioritize your tasks. For example, you can limit the number of projects you take on, delegate or outsource some of the work, say no to unrealistic or unnecessary requests, and communicate your availability and needs clearly. You can also create a schedule that allows you to balance your work and personal life, and stick to it as much as possible.

4 Take breaks

Another way to protect your mental well-being is to take regular breaks from your creative problem solving work. Breaks can help you relax, recharge, and refresh your mind. They can also prevent you from experiencing mental fatigue, boredom, or frustration. You can take breaks in different ways, such as stepping away from your desk, doing some physical activity, meditating, listening to music, reading a book, or engaging in a hobby. You can also take longer breaks, such as vacations or sabbaticals, to disconnect from your work and explore new experiences.

5 Learn new skills

Learning new skills can also benefit your mental health and your creative problem solving career. By acquiring new knowledge, abilities, or perspectives, you can enhance your confidence, curiosity, and creativity. You can also expand your opportunities, network, and impact. You can learn new skills in various ways, such as taking online courses, attending workshops, reading books, watching videos, or joining mentoring programs. You can also learn from your own creative problem solving projects by reflecting on your successes and failures, and applying the lessons to your future work.

6 Celebrate your achievements

Finally, don't forget to celebrate your achievements and appreciate your efforts in creative problem solving. Sometimes, you may focus too much on the challenges, mistakes, or feedback that you encounter, and overlook the positive outcomes, progress, or recognition that you achieve. This can affect your mental well-being and your motivation. To avoid this, you need to acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, big or small, and reward yourself for your hard work. You can also share your achievements with others who can support and congratulate you.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?