7 Steps to Take to Improve Your Mental Health as a Graphic Designer

Wellbeing
Written By Samuel Stroud
 

In the fast-paced world of graphic design, it's essential to pay attention to the often-overlooked importance of mental health.

The demands of deadlines, client expectations, and the almost constant influx of emails and communication can take a heavy toll on a graphic designer's wellbeing.

In this article, we’ll explore why focusing on your mental health as a graphic designer is so important, as well as present seven actionable steps for you to enhance your mental health.

Note: Whilst I have experience in utilising the techniques in this article, please use them as a guideline only. I’m by no means a mental health expert. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, depressed, or anything else, please consult a mental health professional for help.

Why Improve Your Mental Health as a Graphic Designer?

Why should graphic designers work on improving their mental health? After all, if doesn’t help me achieve more, why should I do it?

Well, there’s really no limit to the benefits that mindful thinking can bring, especially when you’re dealing with endless deadlines, changes, and more. Let’s explore five different benefits that nurturing your mental health as a graphic designer can bring.

Creativity Flourishes in a Healthy Mind

Mental wellbeing is the bedrock of creativity. A healthy mind is more adept at exploring innovative ideas, embracing challenges, and pushing the boundaries of design. When your mind flourishes, so can your work.

Combat Burnout and Stress

Graphic design, especially when you work as a freelancer, often involves tight deadlines and high-pressure situations, leading to burnout and stress. Prioritizing mental health helps manage stress levels, preventing burnout and fostering a sustainable career.

Enhanced Focus and Productivity

A well-balanced mental state facilitates improved focus and productivity. By addressing mental health, designers can channel their energy more efficiently into their work, producing high-quality results.

If being more productive is a priority for you, you can’t go wrong with single tasking.

Client Relationships Benefit

Effective communication and a positive mindset are vital for client relationships. Improving mental health equips designers with the emotional resilience needed to navigate client interactions smoothly. Good mental health can prevent you from overreacting to feedback and negative emails, something that will be hugely beneficial in the long run.

Career Longevity and Satisfaction

Mental health is a cornerstone of career longevity and satisfaction. A fulfilling and sustainable career requires a robust mental foundation to navigate the ups and downs of the industry. This is particularly true when it comes to burnout.

When you’re focused on health practices in your working life, you’ll be able to limit the slow approach of burnout. And you don’t need me to tell you that the less burnout you experience, the more fulfilling you’ll find your graphic design career to be.

7 Steps to Improve Your Mental Health

Now that we know why improving mental health as a graphic designer is so important, how do we actually do this?

In the following section, we’ll look at seven different methods and techniques to help you incorporate healthy habits into your working routine.

It should be noted that there’s no overnight solution to improving your mental health. It’s a continuous process of trial and error to see what works best for you. So long as you stick with it, however, you’ll see gradual improvement!

Set Realistic Goals

Break down projects into achievable milestones. Setting realistic goals prevents overwhelming workloads and provides a sense of accomplishment.

Setting realistic goals can also look like limiting the number of clients you work with. I understand that all designers want to work with as many brands as possible, but the reality is that this just isn’t sustainable, and will only add to the mounting pressure of tight deadlines and overwhelming edits.

So, a key thing to keep in mind when working in the graphic design industry is your own limitations to what you can and can’t do. Nobody is able to work on hundreds of projects at once, and nobody is capable of achieving unrealistic goals.

If managing projects is something you find particularly stressful, here’s a guide on how to manage projects without stress!

Establish Work-Life Boundaries

Clearly define work and personal time. Creating boundaries helps prevent work from encroaching on personal life, fostering a healthier balance.

For me, work begins when I walk into my office, and it ends when I walk out. The clearly defined boundary, in this instance, is a physical space in my home. When I’m not working, I don’t use that room at all (despite a couch being in there!)

But I understand that not everyone has an office… so what can you do if the living room is your office, and you can’t just work in a different space? This is a bit harder, but it’s still possible.

The easiest way is to use time. Say between the hours of 9am and 5pm you’re working, and outside of that is home time. To reinforce this, you can set up different desktops on your PC that activate at certain times. So, if you use the same laptop for work stuff and personal stuff, at least you’re not seeing work-related things outside of the dedicated “work time.”

You should also do your best to avoid reading emails or replying to work-related things outside of your work time. I personally have a bunch of Do Not Disturb rules on my phone. At 5pm, my phone will automatically disable certain apps, hide email and work app notifications, and much more. It really helps to stop work life bleeding into personal life.

Regular Breaks and Physical Activity

Incorporate regular breaks into your workday. Engaging in physical activity, even a short walk, promotes mental wellbeing and combats the sedentary nature of design work.

I got myself an exercise bike that I use for this. At 12pm, I stop what I’m doing and jump on the bike, usually cycling around 12 kilometres. This is enough to get the blood pumping, and help wake up my legs after having sat at a desk for four hours.

You can also achieve the same effect by going out for a short walk. Even just around your neighbourhood will be hugely beneficial. Some studies have even shown that walking helps you to generate ideas and solve problems.

Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques

Integrate mindfulness practices into your routine. Techniques such as meditation or deep breathing can alleviate stress and enhance mental clarity.

If you find your stress levels increasing, simply sitting back and focusing on your breathing can be hugely beneficial for your mental health. You should also think about your mindset, and change the way you think about the challenges and problems you face each day.

To learn more about mindfulness and how it relates to graphic design, you can check out a whole guide here!

Seek Professional Support

Don't hesitate to seek professional help if needed. Mental health professionals can provide valuable guidance and tools to manage stress and challenges.

Seeking mental health advice from a professional can be hugely beneficial for several reasons. From learning new methods of handling stress, to discovering ways of managing clients through relating to them on a personal level.

There’s sadly a stigma attached to mental health. However, the idea that seeking help from a professional is somehow a sign of weakness is dramatically outdated. In fact, there’s nothing that shows your strength more than acknowledging you need help.

Here are some resources if you need them:

Connect with Peers

Foster connections within the design community. Sharing experiences and challenges with peers creates a supportive network that understands the unique aspects of the profession.

It’s no secret that working as a graphic designer, especially if you’re a freelancer, can be a lonely experience. When you’re at home, it’s easy to feel isolated, like nobody knows what you’re going through.

But the reality of the situation is that hundreds of thousands of people are in the same position that you are, some of them struggling with the same things. By connecting with other graphic designers, you can share experiences, get advice, network, make friends, and even organize real-life meetups.

There are tonnes of ways to meet new designers. Here are some resources:

Reflect and Celebrate Achievements

Take time to reflect on your achievements, no matter how small. Celebrating milestones boosts confidence and contributes to a positive mindset.

When you’re feeling down or stressed or anxious about your job, it can help to reflect on your past successes and wins. Doing this allows you to put everything into context, and how you’ve been able to overcome challenges.

I do this all the time! I have something I call a Brag Sheet. It’s essentially a Notion file that lists all the things I’m proud of. It includes successful client onboarding and meetings, projects I’m proud of, good pieces of feedback, and more.

Whenever I’m not feeling my best, I look through this file and cheer myself up! As a bonus, if you ever need to “big yourself up” in interviews, for example, you’ve got a whole list of things to pull from!

Conclusion

Prioritizing mental health is not a luxury; it's a fundamental investment in the longevity of a graphic design career.

By taking proactive steps to enhance mental wellbeing, you can not only improve your own life, but contribute to a healthier, more supportive industry culture.

Remember, a thriving creative mind is not only beneficial for your career but is an essential foundation for a fulfilling and balanced life.

Some days are harder than others. If you’re finding yourself struggling with graphic design, here are fifty reasons to keep developing your skills!

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Samuel Stroud
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