Much of our mental health at work boils down to stress. In low-stress environments, we’re more likely to experience good mental health. On the other hand, when we experience a lot of stress, we have a higher risk of depression, physical symptoms, and burnout. 

One important way to manage stress is to work at the right speed. How often do you take time to slow down? It seems counterintuitive, but the slow route often provides the best outcome. 

When Fast Is Slow 

You’ve probably experienced the pressure of a looming deadline. Depending on your line of work, you may face deadlines all the time. When too much work piles up, you experience stress, and when you experience stress, you probably rush to get the work done. 

However, the more rushed your work becomes, the more likely you are to make mistakes. In some cases, correcting those mistakes takes more time than the initial project. The added work creates even more stress, leaving you in a vicious cycle. 

Plus, too much urgency causes burnout, a condition that depletes energy. If you do experience burnout, you’ll likely work slowly due to exhaustion rather than thoroughness. 

When Slow Is Fast 

On the other hand, slowing down means paying more attention to detail. While the task itself may take longer, you’ll likely spend less time on it overall. 

Slowing down can help you reduce stress in other ways, too. Notably, it increases your knowledge. When you take on a project, working slowly can help you learn the ins and outs of it. You’ll gain a deep understanding of the subject material and each step of the project. 

Then, you can finish any similar projects much more quickly. Consuming information slowly allows you to understand it thoroughly, and then that thorough understanding will let you speed up your process. 

Rejecting false urgency can also protect you from burnout, which will keep you working at a steady rhythm. 

How to Reject False Urgency at Work 

Doing your best work means minimizing stress. You can minimize stress by rejecting false urgency. 

There are several strategies you can use to prioritize your mental health at work. For example, you might start by enforcing clear boundaries between your work life and home life. If you work on weekdays, avoid checking your email on weekends and holidays. Other options include: 

• taking all of your paid time off 
• taking paid mental health days, if your workplace offers them 
• using sick leave for both physical and mental struggles, if necessary 
• clocking out as soon as your shift has ended 
• doing the most demanding tasks during your most energetic time of day 
• taking breaks 

Managing stress at work is difficult, but you can approach these strategies slowly, too. If the idea of changing everything makes you feel anxious, try making one change at a time. Your mental health matters, and you deserve to make the most of it.