You know the expression, “a healthy mind in a healthy body“? It’s definitely true when it comes to work. Neglect your physical health, and you could wind up doing long-term damage to your career. Of course, it’s sometimes hard to find time for self-care wellness rituals when you’re busy at the office. But even if you don’t have your boss’s support (and you can’t imagine that your employer will be rolling out nap pods anytime soon) there are still plenty of things you can do all on your own. Here are a few tips.
(Photo Credit: Breville USA/Flickr)
1. Make it a priority, but don’t let it stress you out.
Wellness work isn’t supposed to be work at all – it’s meant to be fun! So, don’t let this whole thing stress you out. Just know that once you’ve decided that caring for yourself is a top priority, you’re already halfway there. Having this type of awareness can be life-changing in and of itself. If you let the fact that you weren’t able to squeeze in a 23-minute breath set stress you out, what’s the point?
2. Eat well.
One of the best and most practical ways to care for yourself is to eat well. You have to eat anyway, right? So try to make choices that help you feel good in the long run, rather than going for things that taste good in the moment but might actually make you feel worse as the day rolls on. Eating well won’t just make your body healthier and help you live longer, it will also boost your productivity and your mood today. Additionally, don’t beat yourself over every little carb or gram of sugar you ingest. Being kind to yourself is an important part of wellness too. So, eat well as much as you can, and enjoy!
3. Have fun and make friends.
We know so much more these days about productivity and creativity than we used to know. Research has shown that having workplace pals makes employees happier. In turn, they are more productive and more committed to their jobs. Having friends at work is good for you, and so is goofing off and having some fun once in a while. Remember, just because you’re at work, that doesn’t mean that you should stop enjoying yourself. As long as your behavior is appropriate for the workplace and you still get all of your work done to the best of your ability, you’ll feel better and your career will likely benefit as well.
4. Set up your environment / work-space intentionally.
Bringing some intention to the set-up of your work-space could make a big difference in your day-to-day life. First of all, think about the lighting. Are there any adjustments you can make here that would be nice? If possible, try bringing in your own lamp instead of using those provided, especially if they’re fluorescent – it could make your whole world feel a little calmer. Also, think about the colors that you surround yourself with. Red is super stimulating, whereas blue is calming, for example. Finally, bring in a plant or two. Having something living to look at can help improve productivity and reduce stress.
5. Telecommute if and when you can.
Research has found that telecommuters are more likely to take advantage of wellness options than their co-workers in the office. Maybe it’s because these folks have good self-discipline and they know how to prioritize well, or maybe it’s because they have more time (because they’re more efficient when they work from home) and flexibility and are able, therefore, to make more time for wellness practices. Either way, if taking good care of yourself is a priority for you, try to telecommute if possible. It could really help you reach your goals.
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