Self-care is not an "emergency response plan" to be activated when stress becomes overwhelming. When we consistently take care of ourselves and our energy, we are noticeably more effective and more productive—and usually in fewer hours. Put these tips into practice, and see what good business sense they make.
- Create a nurturing work environment
, with healthy air and lighting, supportive décor, ample water, high-protein snacks, etc. Regardless of whether you are in a cubicle or an office with walls and a door, make it your space. After all you spend more time there than you do typically at home during your awake hours.
- Keep writer’s hours, even if you’re not a writer
. Reserve blocks of focused time that are yours with no, repeat NO, interruptions. And stick to it. If necessary, block out time in your day timer or your electronic calendar. Make time for you, whether it is for strategic planning, meetings or just time to walk around the block and breath. The important thing is to take care of you.
- Start each week and each day with planning
. Doing so increases productivity and success, and eases anxiety and stress. And the few minutes that you take to plan the week will pay off. It will get you organized, realize your prioritize for the week and help you manage your time and projects more effectively.
- Banish clutter
. Doing this can help you become more focused, not to mention make you more efficient. Eliminate the unwanted, unused papers and files that you haven’t used in awhile. Organize the papers that you do save and file them in an order that you will be able to locate them quickly. And don’t forget, even if you file electronically, those files need to be cleaned out at times too.
- Book time in the day to handle email and voicemail
. You don’t need to have your email on all the time. Consider responding to emails in the morning, walk away and focus on other projects and tasks that need to be done. Then check it later on in the day and respond to those requests. And the same for voicemails. Don’t let them manage you…you manage them…and in a way that works for YOU.
- Take your lunch
. However, resist the urge to eat while working. Take a walk, listen to classical music, write a poem, etc. Do what inspires you. Find out what recharges you so that you gain energy for the rest of the day.
- Be mindful
. Relinquish activities, behaviors or attitudes that result in frenzied schedules and meaningless pursuits. Don’t wait until the last minute to start planning a project if others need to be involved. Don’t forget they have their own priorities and they might not match yours. Plan accordingly.
- Be on the lookout for every opportunity to delegate work
. And be sure to hire highly competent, talented people to whom you could delegate. If one of your employees is not up to speed and more of a deterrent and energy zapper for you, discuss it with them and develop an improvement plan if required.
- Balance exertion with recovery
. For every “sprint” at work—mentally or physically—schedule downtime in minutes, days or weeks. We only have so much energy to give everyday before we collapse. It’s important to have the down time and allow yourself to not feel guilty about it.
- Get enough sleep at night
. Though most of us can function in a sleep-deprived state, we will never be at the top of our game without sufficient zzz’s. Be sure you are getting enough sleep so that you have the energy to succeed the next day.
Not sure if your organization practices and encourages self-care at work or not? Here are just a few questions you may want to ask:
- Does your organization plan and encourage social times, parties and time to talk about other things besides work?
- Does your organization promote self-improvement? Professional development?
- Do you provide a comfortable workspace for your employees?
- Does your staff have a sense of teamwork, appreciate others and their roles?
Most often leaders set the tone and culture in organizations. Employees look to their leadership for how they communicate and manage their time and stress in the workplace. If you are a leader in your organization, I would encourage you to practice some of these tips. They will not only help you manage your own stress and self-care but also model the way for your staff and peers.
