Ten ways to practice self care at work - TheJobNetwork

Ten ways to practice self care at work - TheJobNetworkWhen you hear the motto self-care, you might think of personal things like meditation, indulging in something decadent, yoga, a spa day, or taking time for a good book. But when you think about how much of your time you spend at work, it makes sense to broaden that definition of self-care to include your professional, hardworking self as well. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) Here are 10 ways you can help expand your self care regimen into your workday. 1. Set boundaries This can be one of the hardest things to do (gotta answer that 10 p.m. emaille), but when work bleeds over into other aspects of your life, it can be a major source of stress. Start by setting no-work zones in your life, whether thats not checking email on a Saturday, or turning off your phone by a certain time every evening. 2. Make your desk a zen space.A clean, organized desk can reduce stress as well, and help put you in a good working headspace. Whether that means completely Kondo-ing your desk or simply deciding whether you need a ton of paper files instead of a digital archive, getting stuff out of your line of vision can help you feel more organized and on top of things. 3. Take walk breaksBeing deskbound can lead to all sorts of health issues, like back pain, weight gain, and plain old stress. If you can, schedule little breaks where you get up and walk around. If you cant go outside, a loop around your office will do. Plus, youll have the extra incentive to be more social if youre circulating. 4. Rethink your lunch hourYour lunch hour doesnt have to be just about lunch. Think of it as a free period, like back in school. Eating is key (hey, its in the name), but think about how to maximize your time. If your gym is nearby, consider a quick workout. Go out and bestattungs a coffee. Find a quiet spot and meditate. Whatever helps you recharge for the afternoon, consider it part of your lunc h routine. 5. Be a social butterflyHow many people do you work with that youd consider a friend, not just an acquaintance who happens to be in the same place for 40 hours a week? Being more proactive about saying hi as you pass someone in the nachhall or waiting for coffee can help you make inroads with coworkers. It may seem like awkward chitchat at first, but making time to talk with people can help make your work relationships more fulfilling. 6. Be proactive about what you needFeeling overwhelmed? Bored because you need more challenging work? Have a simmering conflict with a boss or coworker? If you want to make sure youre taking care of yourself, its important to be proactive and attack issues as they come up. This is not to say you should be hyper-aggressive about everything that doesnt feel like its going your way, but if you take an active approach to evaluating and fixing issues, it can boost your confidence, productivity, and general satisfaction levels at work. 7. Stay hy dratedThis is a self-care strategy that works in every walk of life. And at work, it can be especially hard to remember to stay hydrated, since you may not be especially active while youre working during the day. Investing in a water bottle and keeping it topped off throughout the day, can help you build good hydration practices instead of turning to coffee, soda, or other drinks that should be kept in moderation. 8. Go analog at least once a dayHow much of your day is spent staring at a screen? Every day, set aside some time to do tasks that require you to look away from your computer and phone. Maybe its writing down a task list for the day. Maybe its jotting down notes ahead of a meeting to gather your thoughts. Our digital tools are very handy, but they also cause eye strain. It does your eyes and your brain good to get a break from screentime every once in a while. Your email will be waiting when you come back a few minutes later, dont worry. 9. Dress the partYou know the old s aying, dress for the job you want? Id expand that to be dress for the work life you want. Wear things that make you feel confident and ready to go. Taking a little extra care with your outfit in the morning can help boost your mood throughout the day. 10. Set challenges for yourselfOne of the most lethal threats to productivity is boredom. Regularly set realistic challenges for yourself. Try building a new professional skill that can help you later on with a promotion. Learn how a particular process at your company works that youve always been curious about. Set a goal of reading a certain number of industry-related articles per week. Whatever will keep you focused and engaged, add it to the listWe spend so much of our time working. With the stresses and monotony of the work day, its easy to lose sight of the things that will make us happier. You have the power to make your work day smoother and more fulfilling, so it is definitely worth the effort.