Mental health issues don’t appear overnight. In order to maintain a sense of balance in your life, you should keep an eye out for changes in your behaviour and lifestyle.

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In the story “Late for everything”, Louise’s frequent tardiness was already an early warning sign. Now, Louise is distracted and making unusual mistakes which is further indication that she is having difficulties.

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Her work continues to be affected by these changes in behaviour. As someone who is used to being conscientious, she doesn’t recognize herself. Since Louise is unaware of how she got there, she ignores the early warning signs without paying attention to them.

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If Louise had a better understanding of her warning signs, she would be able to put strategies in place to alleviate her symptoms. She could, for example, speak about it to her manager, ensure that she respects her own pace, take part in activities that help her clear her mind, surround herself with people who make her feel good, or seek professional advice. These strategies could help Louise find a better work-life balance.