Nurturing Mental Wellbeing at Work: Practical Tips for Spiritual souls | World Mental Health Day 2024

As a holistic counsellor, I’ve worked with many women who feel spiritually disconnected from their work lives. This year's World Mental Health Day theme, Mental Health at Work, calls on us to reflect on how our professional environments affect our mental well-being. For witchy women—those who honour intuition, cycles, and inner wisdom—traditional workplaces can often feel misaligned with our deeper selves.

The demands of modern workplaces can clash with our spiritual need for rest, grounding, and ritual. But with small, intentional practices, it’s possible to nurture your well-being at work, finding ways to stay grounded and connected to your spiritual path, even in the busiest of environments.

The Disconnect Between Spirituality and Work

Many witchy women feel a deep tension between their spiritual lives and professional roles. Workplaces that prioritise constant output and productivity can lead to burnout and leave us feeling disconnected from our intuition. This disconnection can take a toll on mental wellbeing, creating feelings of overwhelm, stress, and dissatisfaction.

Audre Lorde once said, “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare”. Taking care of our wellbeing—especially in work environments that may not prioritise it—is a powerful act of self-care and resistance. By nurturing both your spiritual and mental wellbeing, you can reclaim balance and find greater fulfilment in your work life.

Nurturing Mental Well-Being at Work

Through my counselling practice and personal experience, I’ve seen how even small rituals can make a significant difference in how we feel at work. These practices don’t require major changes to your routine—just small, meaningful steps that help you stay connected to your spiritual self throughout the day.

1. Ground Yourself in the Morning

Starting your day with a grounding ritual can help you feel centred and focused before stepping into your work tasks. Grounding practices, such as mindful breathing or visualisation, can bring clarity and stability, allowing you to navigate the day’s challenges with greater ease.

Try This: Before starting your workday, sit quietly and focus on your breath for five minutes. As you inhale, visualise yourself drawing in energy from the Earth, feeling grounded and supported. Set an intention for your day—whether it’s to remain calm, focused, or balanced.

2. Create a Sacred Space at Work

Even in a traditional office environment, you can create a small sacred space at your desk. Personal items, such as a crystal, plant, or meaningful object, can act as grounding reminders of your spiritual practices. These small touches can help you feel more connected to your inner wisdom, even in the midst of a hectic day.

Tip: Select an object that resonates with your spiritual path, like a stone or a plant. Place it on your desk where you can see it throughout the day. When you feel stressed, take a moment to focus on it, breathe deeply, and let it bring you back to a place of calm and clarity.

3. Align Your Work Tasks with the Lunar Cycle

As witchy women, we often feel connected to the moon’s cycles, which mirror our own energetic rhythms. You can use this connection to bring more intention into your work by aligning tasks with the lunar phases. During the New Moon, which is a time for introspection and intention-setting, focus on planning and reflection. As the Full Moon approaches, direct your energy toward outward tasks, such as meetings, presentations, or collaborations.

Try This: Each week, check the current lunar phase and plan your work accordingly. During the waxing moon, focus on building projects and increasing momentum. As the Full Moon peaks, tackle outward-focused tasks that require more energy and collaboration.

Setting Boundaries to Protect Your Well-Being

Setting boundaries is essential to maintaining mental wellbeing, especially in work environments that demand more than we can give. Establishing clear boundaries protects your energy and helps prevent burnout, ensuring you can show up fully both at work and in your personal life.

1. Learn to Say No

Saying no can feel challenging, especially in a culture that values constant busyness. But setting boundaries by declining tasks when necessary is vital for preserving your mental and spiritual health. By learning to say no, you create space for rest and reflection, protecting your energy for what truly matters.

Tip: When you’re asked to take on additional tasks, check in with yourself first. If you don’t have the capacity, practice saying, “I’m unable to take this on right now,” or “I need to prioritise my current workload.” This keeps the conversation professional while maintaining your boundaries.

2. Take Regular Sacred Breaks

Breaks are crucial for maintaining focus and preventing burnout. Research from the American Psychological Association (APA) shows that taking regular short breaks reduces stress and improves concentration. Think of these breaks as sacred pauses—moments to reset and reconnect with yourself, even during a busy day.

Try This: Set a reminder to take a five-minute break every hour. Step away from your desk, take a few deep breaths, or stretch your body. These small pauses can help you stay energised and clear-headed throughout the day.

Rest as Resistance

In a world that prioritises productivity, rest is often seen as a luxury. However, rest is essential for both mental and spiritual well-being. Tricia Hersey, founder of The Nap Ministry, reminds us that “rest is resistance”. Choosing to rest, whether through naps, days off, or moments of stillness, is a radical act of reclaiming your well-being in a culture that often pushes us to our limits.

Embrace Rest: Allow yourself the time to rest, knowing it is not only essential but sacred. By resting, you restore your energy and resist the pressure to constantly be doing. This act of self-care supports both your mental health and spiritual alignment.

If this blog resonates with you, please share it with your community. If you’d like to learn more about how your spiritual practices can support your wellbeing in the workplace, feel free to reach out. 🌙

References:

• American Psychological Association. (2020). Stress in America 2020. APA Report on Stress.

• Hersey, Tricia. (2022). Rest Is Resistance. The Nap Ministry. Nap Ministry Website.

• Lorde, Audre. (1988). A Burst of Light. Beacon Press.