Breaking the Cycle of Stress: The Hidden Toll of Masking at Work
Recently, I had a conversation with a university student about the stress she was experiencing in her part-time job. She has ADHD and is wonderfully bubbly, full of ideas, and genuinely enthusiastic about her work.
However, like many others with ADHD, she struggles with time management and staying focused. As we spoke, it became clear that her workplace was focusing too much on her mistakes, which was adding to her stress and taking a toll on her wellbeing.
She also shared that, at work, she was “masking.” For those who may not know, masking is when neurodiverse individuals feel the need to hide their natural tendencies to fit societal norms or workplace expectations. Research consistently shows that masking is highly stressful and can negatively impact a person’s health and wellbeing.
For this student, the pressure to conform to her manager’s expectations was exhausting. She described how draining it was to constantly suppress her true self, which affected her energy levels, wellbeing, and even her productivity.
The effects were far-reaching. She felt constantly on edge, unfulfilled, and dreaded going to work. Sleep became an issue—she lay awake at night worrying. Physically, she experienced skin flare-ups, headaches, and even resorted to biting her lip from stress. Eventually, she reached a breaking point and decided to leave the job.
Thankfully, her story took a positive turn. She found a new position with a manager who was more understanding and supportive. What a difference it made! In this new role, she could bring her authentic self to work. She was free to share her ideas and energy, which not only benefited her but also her employer and team. If she was running late or found herself off-task, a gentle reminder from her manager was far more effective than criticism. The change was transformative.
What struck me most about her story was how these adjustments—creating a supportive environment and focusing on strengths rather than struggles—came at no extra cost. They simply required an understanding manager who valued her for what she brought to the table, whilst supporting with the difficulties.
This story highlights an important takeaway: when neurodiverse individuals are allowed to be themselves, they thrive. By fostering supportive environments and recognizing strengths, we can improve not only wellbeing but also productivity and team cohesion. Everyone benefits.
If you would like some support to support your neurodiverse employees, please contact us for a no-obligation conversation around how we can help
Preparing for University: Navigating the Transition with Confidence
As Easter approaches, the university application process is in full swing, attending offer holder days, and gearing up for upcoming exams. It’s an exciting time filled with opportunities, but it’s also natural to feel a mix of anticipation and apprehension, especially if you’re preparing to leave home for the first time.
Understanding the Transition to University Life
University life offers a level of freedom that’s both liberating and, at times, daunting. The shift from the structured environment of school to the independence of university can be significant. It’s important to acknowledge that while this transition is often portrayed as seamless, it comes with its own set of challenges. Many students experience a range of emotions as they adapt to new academic demands, social settings, and living arrangements.
Introducing the ‘Preparing for Uni’ Course
Recognising that the transition to university is a significant milestone, I offer a course titled ‘Preparing for Uni.’ The first session this season is scheduled over the Easter period, providing an opportunity for students to:
• Understand the Transition: Discuss the psychological and emotional adjustments associated with moving away from home and starting university.
• Explore Practical Aspects: Learn about managing finances, cooking, laundry, and other essential life skills.
• Access Support Services: Gain information on university support systems, including mental health resources, disability services, support for your neurodiversity.
This course is particularly beneficial for students with additional needs, whether mental health-related, physical, or neurodivergent. It offers tailored guidance on accessing the support you require to thrive in a university setting.
Craft and Occupational Therapy: A Creative Connection
At our recent Team Day, we took part in a needle felting activity—a fun and relaxing craft that reminded us of the deeper connection between creativity and occupational therapy (OT).
As OTs, we know first hand how engaging in purposeful activities can enhance well-being and help us lead fulfilling lives, whether at home, work, or in any other area of life. But beyond the clinical practice, we also understand the value of taking a step back and practicing what we preach.
Engaging in craft activities, like our needle felting session, brings several benefits that tie closely to the principles of OT. Here’s how:
1. Learning a New Skill – Boosting Well-Being Learning something new can significantly contribute to mental and emotional well-being. It aligns with the “learning and growth” aspect of the Five Ways to Wellbeing, which encourages us to keep our brains active by acquiring new skills. In our case, mastering the art of needle felting was not only fun but also provided a sense of accomplishment.
2. A Low-Stimulation Activity After Intense Discussions Following some heavy conversations earlier in the day, engaging in a soothing, hands-on activity like needle felting provided a welcome contrast. It allowed us to shift gears and unwind, offering a mental reset that helped balance out the more intense discussions.
3. Fun and Relaxation Sometimes, we just need to have fun—and craft activities are an excellent way to do so. The joy of creation, the satisfaction of seeing progress, and the light-hearted nature of crafting can significantly reduce stress, helping us feel more relaxed and rejuvenated.
4. Connection and Social Interaction Being together while crafting creates opportunities for informal conversation and bonding. It strengthens social connections and fosters a sense of camaraderie, which is key to emotional and mental well-being and team bonding.
5. Soothing Repetitive Motion The repetitive motions involved in crafting, like poking the needle into the wool, have a meditative, calming effect. This repetitive action can help soothe the mind and alleviate anxiety, offering a natural form of mindfulness.
6. A Focused, Mindful Activity Crafting provides a perfect opportunity to focus entirely on the task at hand. This mindful engagement can quiet the chatter in our minds, grounding us in the present moment and helping us feel more connected to ourselves and our surroundings.
7. Creative Expression Craft activities give us a chance to express ourselves in a unique and personal way. Whether it’s through colour choices, shapes, or designs, crafting allows for creative expression, something that is central to human well-being and self-identity.
8. A Welcome Screen Break In today’s digital world, we often spend hours in front of screens. Crafting offers a welcome break from technology, allowing us to reconnect with our hands and materials while taking a break from the virtual world.
Incorporating crafts into everyday life, even just for a brief moment, brings balance and fulfilment. It’s a reminder that creativity and self-care go hand in hand, and that sometimes, the simplest activities can have the most profound impact on our well-being.
As OTs, we know the power of purposeful activity, and our team’s experience with needle felting was a beautiful reminder of that. Whether it’s crafting or another activity you enjoy, make time to engage in something that brings you joy, helps you unwind, and connects you with others.
