Working in the energy sector, whether it’s offshore, on-site, or in fast-paced control rooms, can be incredibly rewarding, but also extremely demanding. Long shifts, physical risks, and time away from loved ones can take a toll, even on the most resilient professionals. That’s why protecting your mental health is not only a personal priority; it is essential for your long-term safety, performance, and wellbeing.
Let’s explore how to recognize strain early and build practical habits that support your mental wellbeing, even in the most high-pressure roles.
Why mental health is often at risk in energy jobs
Energy jobs often involve environments that are isolated, highly regulated, and physically demanding. Offshore workers may go weeks without seeing family. On-site engineers can face round-the-clock schedules and high-stakes decision-making. Add in safety pressure, unpredictable conditions, and sleep disruption, and it’s easy to see why mental strain can creep in unnoticed.
Even for those who love the work, the lack of balance and prolonged stress exposure can quietly chip away at mental wellbeing. This is why it is important to talk openly about mental health in this industry and build support systems that fit the reality of the job.
Oana Stan
Senior Training and Development Manager
The biggest misconception is that we control our emotions, when in reality it’s the other way around. Emotions are very important, signaling essential information about what’s happening to us, either consciously or unconsciously. Suppressing our emotions instead of trying to manage them is what eventually leads to shutdowns and feeling overwhelmed.
Common signs of mental health strain at work
Stress in high-pressure environments often appears in smaller, gradual changes. You might feel unusually tired even after a full night’s sleep, start snapping at coworkers, or struggle to focus on tasks you normally handle with ease.
Look out for signs like:
- Chronic fatigue or low energy
- Trouble sleeping or excessive sleeping
- Increased irritability or mood swings
- Feeling detached or numb
- A drop in performance or motivation
- Feeling overwhelmed by routine tasks
These signs often develop gradually, which makes them easy to overlook, especially in roles where pushing through discomfort is seen as normal. However, noticing these early can make a real difference in preventing burnout or more serious issues.
Oana Stan
Senior Training and Development Manager
Sometimes, this suppression manifests as an unconscious urge to ignore how we truly feel, leading us to disconnect through endless scrolling on the internet or other unhelpful distractions. None of us are immune to emotional dysregulation, especially in high-stress work environments and when away from loved ones.
Daily habits to protect your mental resilience
Small, consistent habits can make a big difference over time in your efforts to work on your mental health. Start by getting enough sleep where possible, especially during shift changes. Stick to a simple daily routine, even on-site, to give your mind some structure.
Here are a few daily practices that help:
- Daily exercise routine – even 15–20 minutes of movement each day can help regulate stress and boost your mood
- Journaling or voice notes – a simple way to clear your mind and process thoughts, especially in isolated environments
- Limiting caffeine in the afternoon – supports better sleep and helps your body wind down naturally
- Deep breathing exercises – quick and effective for calming your nerves before or after high-pressure tasks
Most importantly, don’t keep everything to yourself. Talking to someone, whether it’s a trusted colleague, a friend back home, or a supervisor, can release some of the pressure before it builds up. In high-pressure jobs like those in the energy sector, staying connected is more than a nice-to-have, it’s essential.
If you’re feeling consistently low, anxious, or overwhelmed, don’t wait to reach out for help. Many employers offer mental health support, but you may need to ask for it. Whether it’s access to a counsellor or time off to reset, using these resources is a sign of strength, not weakness. Getting support early can prevent bigger problems down the line and can be what helps you keep doing the work you care about for the long term.
Oana Stan
Senior Training and Development Manager
The first step is to acknowledge that your emotional response is not a sign of mental weakness. The next is to actively explore and discover healthy coping mechanisms that work for you, whether it’s through physical activity, talking to a trusted friend, engaging in a calming hobby, or simply taking a moment to sit with your feelings rather than distracting yourself. Prioritizing your mental well-being is a strength, and finding your unique ways to process emotions is key to thriving.
Tools and apps to monitor mental health in energy jobs
In remote or high-stress environments, it’s not always easy to check in with yourself. That’s where technology can help. A growing number of apps and tools are designed to support mental health, especially for people working long hours, rotating shifts, or in isolated locations.
- Mood tracking apps like Daylio or Moodfit let you quickly log how you’re feeling each day. Over time, these patterns can help you notice changes in mood or energy levels you might otherwise miss.
- Wearables such as WHOOP, Fitbit, or Garmin track heart rate variability, sleep quality, and recovery. These insights can help you understand how your body is handling stress, even when you don’t feel it yet.
- Mindfulness and breathing apps like Calm, Headspace, or Breethe offer short guided exercises to reduce stress, improve focus, and help you wind down after a long shift. Many of them can be used offline, which is ideal for offshore or remote locations.
- Sleep-focused tools, such as Sleep Cycle or built-in features in wearables, help monitor rest patterns so you can spot disruptions early and improve your recovery time between shifts.
Choose something that fits easily into your routine. Remember to start small, and build from there.
How to protect your mental health in high-pressure energy jobs
Protecting your mental health in the energy sector starts with staying aware, taking small but consistent steps to recover, and leaning on the support available to you. Start by paying attention to your own warning signs, creating moments to reset, and using the tools and people around you to stay grounded.
Mental health is just as important as physical safety. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or not quite yourself, speaking up is not a sign of weakness, it’s a smart and necessary move toward long-term wellbeing.
If you’re a consultant with WTS Energy, don’t forget you have access to our Consultant Corner. It’s a dedicated space where you can find resources, practical tools, and a direct way to reach out to us for support. We’re here to help you stay well, both on and off the job.
