When was the last time you celebrated something fabulous you accomplished on the job? Doing so could have decided benefits for your psychological health. Here’s How and Why You Should Be Celebrating Your Career Wins.

The human brain evolved to pay more attention to negative stimuli than the good things in life. Long ago, this instinct helped you survive in a world where lions or bears may lurk around any corner. However, today it contributes to excess stress, feeding chronic illnesses, anxiety and depression.

Reveling in life’s successes reminds you that you are powerful and capable of transforming your dreams into reality. Here’s how and why you should be celebrating your career wins.

How and Why You Should Be Celebrating Your Career Wins 

Before digging into some ways you can applaud your successes, here is a closer look at why it’s so important to celebrate your career wins. Doing so can fuel further achievements, while ignoring them can have psychological ramifications. You need — and deserve — an “attagirl” now and then to preserve a positive mental state.

1. Provides a Necessary Break 

Hopefully, your schedule permits at least one or two days per week to rest and recharge. However, many return from the weekend feeling anything but relaxed. Most spend their off-time doing household chores and errands, making it feel like they simply clocked out of one gig and into another.

Human beings need time for meaningful self-care to maintain a positive outlook. Such rest periods allow for more than relaxation. They provide opportunities for mindfulness, reflecting on what’s happening around you and integrating your experiences into your mental state. You need to step back and see how the pieces fit to feel a sense of calm and order in life.

2. Maintains Morale

Do you drag yourself out of bed with the motto, “another day, another dollar?” Working only to pay the bills can make your life feel a bit stagnant now and then. Your melancholic mood inevitably spills over into your enthusiasm on the job, making your performance lackluster.

Conversely, gratitude is an energizing emotion. Taking some reflective time to meditate on your successes boosts morale by making you recognize the remarkable difference your actions create. When you realize how much your team values your contributions, you feel inspired to give back more.

3. Develops Your Sense of Agency

A sense of agency is vital to overall mental health. It refers to the core belief that your actions can change the world. Without it, you can feel like a victim of circumstance, which can plunge you into despair.

4. Builds Relationships With Your Co-Workers

The right relationships at work make heading to the office a joy. However, you don’t create unshakable bonds by sharing what’s wrong. Celebrating your victories with the team creates positive vibes that renew enthusiasm within your organization while inspiring others to reach for the sky.

7 Ways to Celebrate Your Successes

What should you do once you understand how vital it is to celebrate your career wins? Here are seven ways you can show yourself some appreciation for all your hard work.

1. Have a You-Day

Your mental health is every bit as vital as your physical well-being. Some would argue it’s even more so — after all, your brain is responsible for dictating your body’s actions. Either way, a mental health day is a great pat on the back for a job well done.

Take a day off to indulge yourself in self-care. You might get a massage or exchange one with a partner, sink into a luxurious bath for hours or treat yourself to an at-home yoga retreat. Just don’t check your office voicemails, if possible.

2. Take a Mini-Vacation

Americans get miserably short-changed with paid leave — it’s one of only six countries not allowing time for having a baby, let alone mental health. If you’re among those who can’t steal a whole day away without putting yourself in a tight spot bill-wise, can you afford to take off a few hours early on a Friday?

Use your long weekend for a mini-holiday. You need not travel far — why not pull up a state map and take a road trip to a nearby attraction that has always intrigued you?

3. Throw an Office Party

If morale-boosting is more important to you than a bit of alone time, try throwing an office celebration. Such gatherings can improve attitudes across the organization.

If you’re the coordinator, consider having your party during working hours instead of after. That makes it more of a treat for everyone involved and helps those who have to rush straight from the office to pickup the kids at daycare.

4. Replenish Your Wardrobe

Career experts say you should dress for the role you desire. Did you recently earn a raise to go with that promotion? Why not start upgrading your wardrobe for your next step up the ladder? A little retail therapy is enough to make most people smile.

5. Hit the Happy Hour

Of course, you can always hit the town after hours for a few adult beverages with your office BFFs. It’s entirely appropriate to celebrate career wins by heading to your favorite happy hour spot.

Just keep it responsible — you don’t want a DUI infringing on your or a colleague’s career. Have your Uber app ready or coordinate a designated driver before your first sip.

6. Upgrade Your Office

Does your cubicle decor come in two shades — navy and gray? It’s time to liven it up a little.

Invest in some houseplants to improve indoor air quality and reduce stress — surrounding yourself with nature has positive psychological benefits. Upgrade your chair, invest in a variable-height desk and add a USB aromatherapy diffuser to keep the good feelings flowing all day long.

7. Bask in Gratitude

You can have a silent, private celebration of your career wins by meditating on gratitude. Find a place free from distractions where you can close your eyes and simply breathe and be. Really feel the joy, elation and thankfulness for your success and memorize this feeling in your body.

Remember to Revel in a Job Well Done

Celebrating your career wins protects your mental health and can improve office morale. Follow the tips above for celebrating your career victories — you deserve it, rockstar!

How and Why You Should Be Celebrating Your Career Wins, leave your comment below.