“The brain is a wonderful organ; it starts working the moment you get up in the morning and does not stop until you get into the office.” This quote by American poet Robert Frost is a humorous observation of the way our mindset can affect our workday, but it also reminds us of the importance of minding our mental well-being.

We spend a huge portion of our lives at work, and this makes our jobs one of the biggest influences on our mental health. If we have difficulties at work, it can be hard to feel good and maintain a strong sense of well-being. Here are 4 basic tips we can apply to protect and maintain our mental health at work.

• Mark your Boundaries

Not all types of work can allow for this, but setting clear boundaries between work and leisure can do a lot to improve our well-being. We need time to disconnect and stop thinking about the job, leaving home at home and work at work.

This means minimizing or, preferably, avoiding altogether checking work emails or messages, taking calls, or doing work beyond business hours. Sometimes, it is not possible, and emergencies happen, but we should still try to mark the boundaries between work and rest.

• Take Breaks

It is important to schedule breaks and, especially to have enough time and space to eat. While some days you might want to finish quickly, but still it is useful to schedule a few breaks during the day and plan to take some time off.

It helps you feel more productive and also relax for a bit. While you take your break, you can include activities that promote mental health, like meditating, practicing mindfulness, taking a walk outside, or just allowing yourself to breathe for a bit.

• Don’t take it Personally

Even if you are very committed, you should still separate your work from who you are. Try to do well, but don’t take everything too personally. You should not sacrifice your well-being, future, and health to help your work succeed. This does not mean you will be a poor worker. Instead, it just implies having a healthy perspective.

Even if your work is very valuable, if you are an employee, you are always replaceable. Things can happen. While work can be part of the meaning you give your life, it should not be the main thing, especially when talking about a job you might lose, a company that might go under, or anything else that is not fully in your control.

• Talk to Others

Emotional support from other people at your workplace, as well as your friends and loved ones, is essential. Make sure you have people to talk to and turn to when things are not going great. Talking about things rather than letting them fester makes a big difference for your mental health.

You might or might not have close friends at work, but it’s a good idea to keep things cordial and be able to share a bit of small talk and comments every once in a while. This can reduce the chance of other people being hostile or isolating you.

There are many things we can do to improve our mental health. We should always make this a priority and try to stay well, happy, and productive.