25 May 2022
What does self care look like in a Workplace?
We’ve all heard it and experienced it. You’ve had a big day at work, and you just need a moment to regain your thoughts and compose yourself. Depending on the industry you work in, what stresses you’ve encountered and what you’ve faced can look very different for lots of people. The same can be said for the let down or the recovery.
But perhaps that doesn’t need to be the case. We acknowledge that there are many people burnt out at the moment, chronic staff shortages and crumbling resources. While we advocate for larger change, it’s really up to the higher powers to support this. However, for the individuals, we can provide some suggestions on how to incorporate self-care into the workplace.
Normally we’d jump at the thought of a bubble bath, a cup of tea and a sneaky chocolate. But that might not be the most efficient way to de-stress in the middle of the day. Sure, they’re great ideas for after work and ones we’ve engaged in often, but what are some workplace appropriate activities?
Well, here are some suggestions that can be done throughout the day. In layman terms, self-care is about caring for yourself. It’s about understanding how you can perform at your optimal whilst being the most authentic, efficient, and amazing self. It involves putting your own health and well-being at the top of the care list and protecting your mental health.
If you’re not managing your own stress levels and mental health, how can you help others? If you’re in control, you’ll be more organised and ready for the workday. So hopefully some of these tips might be useful in realigning your current situation.
If you can, create a schedule with set breaks. Most calendar programs have the option to auto add these, taking any stress away.
Creating a proper work schedule can help you get in the right frame of mind to start your workday. Starting each day with a to-do list and identifying your number one priority that you need to achieve is a great start. Although its a small action, it can help you feel productive, motivated, and aware of what needs to be done whilst removing the fear of forgetting something.
Once you’ve done this, look at how you can break up the day by factoring in some breaks around getting the work done. We also highly recommend having a dedicated lunch break away from your computer and desk space. This time is a great way to prioritise your physical health by going outside and getting some fresh air. It’s also useful to have a loosely defined end time as it enables you ensure that you are using your time effectively up until that point and know that the end is near.
When establishing your work routine, it’s important to note that it won’t be perfect from day one. If you’re factoring in 5 hours to complete a report, but you know that you have a client meeting and team training during that time, you’re setting yourself up to fail.
Like any goal – be realistic! You need to allow for a couple of distractions. Be kind and generous with your schedule and understand that it might take a little bit to adjust to it. Small incremental changes and making changes over time steadily, will make it easier to reach any goals. Remember, your routine needs to be one that’s not only useful but also enjoyable. It should fit well with your goals, lifestyle, and workload.
