5 Tips on How To Practice Self-Care in the Workplace

It’s important to unplug from the daily routine, especially when your day consists of work from the time the sun shines till it comes back - entrepreneur life. Self-care means giving the world the best version of you instead of what is left of you. This consists of a day at the spa, meditating at the beginning of the day, or working out after office hours. All are great options, but the one thing they all have in common is that they most likely take place outside of the workspace.

So, we’ve put together a list of how to take care of yourself during business hours. Practicing self-care tactics during work can alleviate the feeling of being overwhelmed or stressed. Instead, it will provide uplifting energy throughout the day that you need. If you feel like you could use some TLC while taking care of business, here are five self-care practices you can implement into your work routine:

Dress for Success

The old saying goes, ‘dress for the job you want, not the job you have.’ In today’s day and age that couldn’t be further from the truth. What a strange power there is in the clothes you choose to wear. A growing body of research suggests that there is something biological that happens when you wear a snazzy outfit that makes you feel like a brand new person.

If there’s a particular outfit that makes you feel confident when you put it on, choose to wear it as your outfit of the day over something that makes you feel mediocre. If you’ve heard of The Red Sneakers Effect, you know that adding a touch of personality can go a long way. The study found that outsiders suggest that the individual is powerful enough to risk the social costs of such behaviors. Bottom line - wear that article of clothing that boosts your confidence and watch how it affects your peace of mind in the office.

Organization Goes a Long Way

Do you feel distracted when your house is cluttered? The same feeling can carry into your workspace if you don’t take the time to organize your things. It can cause you to misplace important documents, waste time looking for them, and is an overall mess. Think about it this way a clear desk means a clear mind.

This is the same for keeping a tidy inbox. Keeping emails organized can reduce your stress and anxiety of checking it. By having things in place your productivity can increase, which can only result in a successful day after a successful day. Plus, you’ll be setting an example for those around you.

Take 10 to Meditate

Meditation is a technique designed to provide mental clarity and focus by training your mind and developing your concentration. A consistent meditation practice can help you improve in many areas of work, including efficiency. It doesn’t take much time either. It can be as simple as sitting or lying on the floor, closing your eyes, taking a deep breath in a rhythmic pattern, focusing on each breath, and clearing your mind for five minutes. Even better news, the benefits of meditation are innumerable to improve your attention span and health.

Incorporating this self-care practice can be very beneficial for you and your team. It reduces stress, manages anxiety, improves emotional health, strengthens attention span, and reduces memory loss. A study by Meditation Works found that businesses saved $4.58 for every $1 spent on wellness, especially for those who meditate at work. Start with five minutes and try to build up to where you can comfortably meditate for 20 minutes each day - that’s less than ten percent of your workday. Some apps that you can download on your phone for more practice on-the-go include Headspace, Calm, and Insight Timer.

Step Away from Your Desk

Staring at a computer screen for long periods of time can strain your eyes. The blue light that screens give off can cause headaches, eyesores, and possibly lead to underlying health problems in the future. Consider working on a handwritten task or calling a meeting to get some human interaction going. If getting out of the office is the goal, we have some solutions to that too.

As we mentioned in our blog last month about de-stressing during an overwhelming week, taking time to go outside is vital for mental health. Go for a light walk around a local park or just down the street. This can lower levels of a hormone used as a marker for stress. You can also consider working remotely from a park or cafe with an outdoor area. If you find yourself unable to leave your workspace, opening a window can alleviate stressors from your environment, as well.

Take a Moment to Journal

A workday is filled with its fair share of highs and lows. Dwelling on the lows of your day can take its toll on your mental health and can also affect your relationships in the workplace. Next time you start to feel frustrated at work, take a moment to jot down your feelings and what caused them. You will instantly feel a bit better and it will allow you to process your emotions and come up with a solution to fix the issue at hand. This also happens for the reverse feeling. If something great happens at work, jot it down! In the low moments, take time to read back on all the great things that happened. It is all about balance and expression.