Health Check: How to Take Care of Your Mental Well-being During the Busy Season

Accountants, it’s time! The harrowing busy season is here, and it’s time to get mindful of your mental health.

It is no secret that the busy Self Assessment season is quite stressful for accountants. In a recent study by caba, about eight out of ten respondents listed stress and poor mental health as a problem within the accounting profession.

The study found that 56% of the accountants surveyed suffered from stress and burnout, against 41% of employees in the other sectors. Mental health, therefore, is a serious concern for accountants and it only gets worse with the busy season.

Different accountants have different ways of dealing with this issue. While some prefer to hire new resources and expand their internal teams, some outsource tax preparation services to certified external professionals.

Irrespective of the solution you choose, it is vital to take care of your mental health and prevent your team from feeling burned out.

Below are some tips to help you keep a check on your and your team’s mental health during the busy tax season.

Stay hydrated

As you enter the busy season, all you will see and hear is tax. Before it consumes you, it is important to de-tax and take care of your physical and mental health. The best way to do this is to stay hydrated at all times.

Ensure you drink a glass of water every hour or take sips of fresh fruit juices frequently. At least twice a day, treat yourself to a cup of green tea. Do not consume too much caffeine just to pull off some extra hours at work.

Eat healthy

Just like adequate hydration, eating healthy is essential. Amid the busy season stress, it is easy to lose your appetite or simply miss meals. However, a hungry stomach will only cause you more harm and stress.

Set reminders to make sure you eat well and on time. Check up on your teammates and motivate them to have their meals on time. If possible, take lunch and snack breaks together.

Moreover, eat healthy food that will keep your mind fresh. Make it a point to include fruits and greens in your meals to de-tax your system.

Remember, your physical and mental health is interrelated. If you are physically fit and healthy, you will be better positioned to care for your mental well-being.

Take breaks

Whether you manage your taxes in-house or outsource tax preparation, it is important to take frequent breaks. After all, the Self Assessment season is fast-paced and overwhelming, and it is crucial to slow down every now and then.

No matter how busy it gets, take short breaks every hour. It can be as brief as closing your eyes and taking deep breaths for a minute or two or having a quick 15-minute chat with a peer. This releases the stress on your eyes and mind and helps you relax for a bit.

Go for walks

It is a proven fact that walks help calm your mind. You may argue that you barely have time to look up from your desk, but this is something that you must work out.

Whenever you create a timetable for yourself, remember to set some time aside for a brief 30-minute walk. It will eat into your work time but help you stay sane throughout the day. If possible, take a companion along or listen to some music to charge you up.

Indulge in team activities

Another good way to de-stress and nurture your mental health is to indulge in team activities. Your workmates are as tired and stressed as you during the busy season. Along with yourself, it is important to take care of their physical and mental well-being too.

Talk to your colleagues, take frequent breaks with them, or organise regular de-stress sessions. You may like team yoga, art therapy, a short weekend outing, or even a simple coffee hour at work. Team activities help you understand your teammates better and collectively relax for a stress-free tax season.

Seek help

Last but not least, the best way to keep your mental health in check is to seek external help. There is no point in overworking yourself and your team. In fact, if you are burned out, no number of activities, breaks, or walks will help calm you down.

Tax preparation outsourcing is instrumental in helping accountants ease the burden on their teams. Outsourced tax professionals are knowledgeable and experienced in the latest UK tax legislation and technology. With certified professionals on board, you can be assured of a healthy work-life balance, thus ensuring good mental well-being.

If you are looking to outsource your taxes to a reliable outsourcing company, look no further. Partner with QXAS for professional tax preparation, quick turnaround time, efficient data security, and assured efficiency. Call us at +44 208-146-0808 to speak to an outsourcing advisor or drop an email at [email protected].