10 Simple At-Work Self-Care Acts
“Self-care at work”, easier said than done, am I right?
Sometimes I don’t even have time in the day to think as an entrepreneur, nevermind practice self-care at work!
It is something I am trying to get better at and something I can motivate my team, my friends and family to try out too. Better late than never for New Year's “resolutions,” I guess!
Here are 10 things that might light a spark to try to practice self-care at work. If 10 is a lot for you (it is for me!), start with one, maybe two, if it suits your fancy.
60 Second Desk Cleanup:
A clean space is a clear mind. We are all guilty of having full sticky notes or old coffee cups sitting around, and an environment reset can help you reset your day. (Not pictured are my 2 dirty cups sitting next to me right now!)
Set a Time to Respond to Emails
Not every email is actually URGENT, although you and sometimes clients feel that it is. Set a block in your calendar to take the time to prioritize and properly respond to emails during your day.
Stay Hydrated
And no, not with just coffee! Water is important for your brain and your skin. Enhance it with flavours or give coconut water a try, it is full of electrolytes! If you lean towards more of the “need for bubbles,” I, for one, am obsessed with Bubly. May Merryberry Bubly rest in the utmost peace.
Practice Good Eye Health
Your eyes are one of your most important organs. Give your eyes a break from the screen and look off into the distance, anywhere in the room or out of the window that is further than the distance to a computer screen.
A great rule to remember is 20-20-20: look 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.
Most computers have a night shift mode that will try to reduce blue light and lower the brightness and contrast of your screen. I work on a Mac and know that they have it. Take a look if you are also a Mac user!
Take Short Breaks
Go for a walk around the block, or if it allows, throw in a load of laundry or start the dishwasher, as that also relieves weight from after-work duties. 10k steps might not be in your favour today, but 10k steps tomorrow might be!
Incorporate Movement
I know walking pads are the in thing right now, and I have one and love it, but it doesn't need to be that strenuous; it could even be a quick stretch in your chair or 10 jumping jacks at your desk.
Book Time for Creativity
Tell others your working boundaries, e.g., if I am wearing headphones, that means I am concentrating, if my door is closed, that means I am in a meeting, etc. Being in the zone is great for you, but it could end up being the DANGER ZONE for the people who interrupt you!
Keep Healthy Snacks Nearby
Keeping healthy options can help you stay energized, focused and can even save you money so you aren't tempted to just "go grab something quick". I personally cut up veggies and wash fruit, so it's handy for me in my raccoon feeding moments. enter those viral group of Toronto raccoons searching for a snack in the dumpster
Practice Gratitude / Mindfulness
Begin your day with intentions and end it by noting three good things that happened during the day. Inhaaaaleeeeee….. Exhaleeeeeeeeee…
Positive and Caring Self-Talk
Be gentle with yourself after a hard day or a hard week. How we talk to ourselves and treat ourselves matters a whole lot, and when the going gets tough, the answer is never to get tough with ourselves.
You don’t need a spa day to practice self-care at work (though, let’s be honest, we wouldn’t say no). Sometimes it’s as simple as a deep breath before a tough call, a quick walk to reset your brain, or swapping doomscrolling for a playlist that makes you feel like the main character.
Small, intentional acts add up, and before you know it, you’re not just surviving the workday, you’re owning it. Do good and good will come to you.