Written by Lisa Whittleton
Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 centres on a powerful theme: Action. The message is clear, that awareness alone isn’t enough. Real change happens when individuals, teams and organisations take practical steps to support mental wellbeing.
For the IP Profession, where deadlines are often immovable, client expectations are high, and the pace rarely slows, this theme couldn’t be more relevant. Working more flexibly, although a positive step overall, does mean many of us find it harder to switch off.
What does meaningful action look like in a sector where the pressure never really stops?
It starts with creating space to breathe.
When flexibility becomes another pressure point
Flexible working can provide us with the control to create a healthy work-life balance. But, we need to be careful, as when autonomy increases but demands remain high and support is not readily available, this can only add to the strain. For many, flexibility simply expands the working day and we find ourselves trying to squeeze even more in both inside and outside of work.
- logging back on late to “catch up”
- checking emails at night
- squeezing in client work during leave
- pushing through illness because “it’s easier to work from home”
- Taking on life admin, medical appointments, caring responsibilities within working hours
The industry’s culture of efficiency, for example the billable hours and precision needed, can lead to us striving for that efficiency in all aspects of our life. But this need to get everything done may be slowing us down as we never pause.
Regaining a sense of control is so important.
The stress container: what can you control, park or share?
A helpful framework is the stress container, the idea that everyone has a finite capacity for pressure. When it overflows, we feel overwhelmed.
1. What can I control, or at least influence day to day?
Start with small, practical steps that reduce micro‑stressors:
- preparing clothes or lunches the night before
- waking up 10 minutes earlier to avoid rushing
- switching off the evening news to unwind
- planning one protected break in the day
- choosing a healthier packed lunch rather than getting a takeaway
These aren’t life‑changing, but they reduce load and that matters.
2. What do I need to park?
Not everything needs solving today. Some tasks, worries or decisions can be consciously paused. Add them to your ‘parked list’.
3. What do I need help with?
Asking for support is not a weakness, it’s a pressure‑release valve. In high‑stakes environments like IP, silence often leads to burnout and crisis.
Setting healthy boundaries
We can feel more in control if we set healthy boundaries around time, energy and availability. But it isn’t always easy and takes practice.
What healthy boundaries look like
- finishing work at a set time
- not checking emails after hours
- taking annual leave fully
- saying no to non‑urgent requests when capacity is low
- politely declining social events that don’t serve you well
- protecting focus time
- communicating availability clearly
When we don’t set boundaries we risk overworking, becoming resentful of others, reduced creativity and problem solving, poorer client service, errors and burnout.
Boundaries aren’t barriers, they’re protective structures that help us sustain high‑quality work.
Practical tips for setting boundaries (that actually work)…
Here are actionable steps IP professionals and managers can take:
- Identify what boundaries matter most and where they’re currently being crossed.
- Set expectations for the week or day ahead (e.g., “I will finish by 6pm”, “I will exercise once this week”).
- Share these expectations with colleagues or family to help you achieve them
- Learn to say “no” constructively. Start with: “Let me think about that and come back to you.” This creates space to assess capacity.
- Explain why the boundary matters, focusing on wellbeing, focus or workload.
- Offer an alternative (“I can’t do this today, but I can look at it tomorrow morning”).
- Use “I” language to avoid blame.
- Avoid criticism. Boundaries protect your energy, and are not there to police others.
- Stay consistent. Repetition builds trust.
- Model healthy behaviour. Respect others boundaries as it then becomes easier to respect your own. When leaders set boundaries, others feel permitted to do the same.
- Start small. Choose one boundary you can control this week.
Closing thoughts
Creating space to breathe, reducing micro‑stressors, and setting healthy boundaries are not soft skills. They are performance enablers.
When we have space to think, rest and recover, we show up and do our best work for clients, for teams, and for ourselves.
What positive action can you take to protect your wellbeing?
Visit the Mental Health Foundation for more information on Mental Health Awareness Week 2026.
