Four ideas to incorporate Self-Care at work
Dear Tanja,
How can I make time for self-care during a hectic workday? It feels out of reach to squeeze it into a day when I barely keep up with work itself.
Self-care looks different for everyone. The one thing in common across all work environments is that if you don’t plan for it, it will fall off your radar.
So how can you make time for self-care during a hectic work day? Schedule it. Make a self-care plan and incorporate it into your day.
Here are four ideas you can consider to incorporate self-care into your day.
Limit the amount of meetings you accept each day. Few things will leave you feeling more defeated at the end of the day than back-to-back meetings. Think about how much admin work your job requires, how much follow-up different kinds of meetings entail, and how many reoccurring meetings you have on your calendar. Depending on the specifications of your position, you should be able to come up with a realistic meeting cap. Knowing in advance what your limit is, you can accept or propose a new meeting time in advance allowing you to maintain a manageable schedule.
Schedule lunch breaks, admin time, creative brainstorming time, etc. You might find that occasionally, you will have to be flexible with this time, however, when it is on your schedule, it is much more likely to happen than if you are waiting for the time to appear.
What is one thing that helps you fill your cup? Plan it into your day. This might be a morning ritual, an outdoor walk, or even making sure you leave work on time. Know what it is, have it on your schedule, and commit to it. Self-care is a habit that you build over time.
Keep it simple. It doesn’t have to be a big production. Not all work environments are 9-5, and not all offer flexibility. Be creative with incorporating moments of self-care. Can’t take a 30-minute lunch break? Don’t let that stop you from grabbing a bite. Can’t get outside to take a walk? Walk up and down the building stairs once a day. Can’t prevent those back-to-back appointments? Incorporate a few minutes of meditation or breathwork between each meeting to give yourself a quick reset.
Make your self-care plan today! You can start by listening to this guided Lunch Break Breathwork Session here.
Can’t see an opportunity for self-care at work? Sometimes it takes an outside perspective to see above the chaos. Do not hesitate to contact a trusted colleague, friend, or coach for help!
What would you add? What will you try? Share in the comments. Let’s keep working together to keep the office vibes up!
#self-care #wellness #burnout
