By Harry Rogers Mental health AAT members share the ways in which they protect their mental health at work 8 May 2026 As it’s Mental Health Awareness Week, we spoke to different AAT members about the ways in which they look after their wellbeing, and the tools they have in place to keep stress to a minimum. Like all jobs, the life of an accountant can be quite busy. Whether it’s workload, managing tricky clients, or feeling the pressure during tax season, there can be lots going on at once. However, the good news is that there are several ways to help protect yourself. Here, some of our members tell us about the tools they have in place if things begin to feel a little tough. The value of staying in a routine Chris Tuck FMAAT, who founded the charity Survivors Of aBuse, says that over her career, she has learned that mental health is not one big thing, but more something that we need to maintain daily. She said: “In the same way we maintain accounts, systems or professional standards, protecting your headspace is to do the small daily non-negotiables that keep me steady: structure, movement, time outside, decent food, enough rest, and space to pause before I become overwhelmed. “One question I often come back to is: ‘what is mine to carry today, and what is not?’, That is especially important in finance, where deadlines, accuracy and responsibility can create a lot of pressure. “I also try to recognise the early signs of stress before they become bigger. For me, that might be tension, tiredness, irritability, overthinking, or feeling mentally overloaded. The earlier I notice those signs, the easier it is to do something small before it becomes something much harder to manage.” Understanding why small breaks matter Rachael Chadwick-Harrison FMAAT, who runs her own accountancy business, Chadwick Accountants & Bookkeepers Ltd, thinks it’s more about being honest with yourself and understanding what capacity you personally have. She said: “Mental health is something that requires consistent attention rather than a one-off fix. Running a business can be intense, so I try to build small moments into each day where I can reset, whether that’s stepping away from my desk, getting outside, or simply taking a few minutes to pause and reflect. “It’s not about perfection, it’s about awareness and making conscious choices to protect my energy.Rachael has found that a couple of days each week where she switches off and answers no emails allows her to come back performing at her best. She added: “One of the most important things I’ve learned is the value of proper time away from work. “On a daily level, I practise affirmations and gratitude each evening. It helps shift my focus back to what’s going well, rather than what feels overwhelming. And when stress peaks, I keep it simple, fresh air and deep breathing.” Taking time to respond and switch off For Karen Feltham MAAT, who founded her own accountancy business, Aligned Accounting, in 2021, understanding what works for her and learning how to cope in stressful moments has been a rewarding experience, adapting over the years to build a resilient structure. “For me, it’s been a shift from constantly being ‘on’ to being much more intentional with my time and energy,” she said. “Earlier in my career, I felt I needed to respond to everything immediately and be available all the time, which quickly became overwhelming. “Now, looking after my mental health means creating structure in my day, protecting focused working time, and allowing myself to properly switch off at the end of it.” Her biggest change so far? Building simple systems into her work to grow efficiency. She added: “Checklists, clear workflows and planning my week in advance take a huge amount of pressure off, especially during busy periods like deadlines. It stops everything feeling urgent at once.” Being aware of your personal limits Rachel Spence MAAT admits that she can be guilty of taking on too much at times as she likes to stay busy, but recognising this early can avoid problems down the road. “It’s about staying aware of my limits and making a conscious effort to remain balanced,” she said. “Whether it’s my day-to-day role, supporting colleagues, studying for CIMA, or getting involved in voluntary work like church bookkeeping or helping with the local AAT branch – there’s rarely a dull moment, which I enjoy, but it can also be easy to feel constantly on the go. “However, because of that I’ve learned the importance of stepping back and making time for rest and relaxation. In recent years, I’ve worked to build more structure into my schedule so I can create space for downtime and maintain a healthier balance. She added: “To switch off, I enjoy getting out in the garden or going for walks along the fantastic coastline in the north east in the summer months. In the winter months, I tend to slow things down and spend more time in the kitchen, putting my cooking and baking skills to the test.” Key lessons that have been learned along the way For many across the finance sector, stressful periods can come and go, but the important thing to remember is to listen to your body during difficult times. Chris said: “One of the biggest lessons I have learned is that being capable does not mean you are not under pressure. As AAT has previously shared some of my journey, I am comfortable being open that earlier in my career, when I was working as a Finance Manager, I experienced a breakdown due to several personal and work factors. “In finance, people often assume that if you are organised, professional and getting the work done, you must be coping. But high functioning is different from healthy. “My advice to other finance professionals would be to stop treating stress as something to simply push through. Pay attention to what your body and mind are telling you. Build recovery into your routine before you reach crisis point. Ask for support earlier, not only when things have become unmanageable. Rachael agrees and says that protecting your mental health isn’t a weakness, but a “professional responsibility”. She continued: “When you are clear-headed, energised and focused, you make better decisions, support your clients more effectively, and lead your team more confidently. I would encourage others to set boundaries early, communicate openly, and build systems that support both productivity and wellbeing. Karen Feltham added: “The biggest lesson has been that being constantly available isn’t the same as being effective. In fact, it often leads to burnout. “Setting clear boundaries with clients, managing expectations and having strong systems in place has not only improved my work but also protected my mental wellbeing. I’d say to other professionals – it’s okay to create space in your day. You don’t have to carry everything at once to be good at what you do.” If you feel that your mental health is a concern, seek help sooner. Click here for more support. Further reading 7 ways you can take care of yourself mentally and physically while working remotely 5 tips from a psychologist to redeem your mental health What to do if you need help with your mental health Harry Rogers is AAT Comment’s news writer.