This year, Action for Happiness published a calendar packed full of actions for creating a happier and kinder world.
From Mindful March to Joyful June, each month has a different theme to encourage us to spread a little joy in different areas of life. This month is Self-Care September – and it’s got us thinking about the importance of taking care of ourselves at work.
What is self-care?
The Self Care Forum’s definition is:
The actions that individuals take for themselves, on behalf of and with others in order to develop, protect, maintain and improve their health, wellbeing or wellness.
Self-care is important, though it’s often something we neglect. At work, this can be demonstrated in a number of different ways. Have you ever taken on another project, despite feeling overwhelmed? Have you avoided seeking support when you’ve struggled with something? Has your personal life suffered as a result of your workload? We know that stress affects many employees throughout the UK; in 2016/17, The Health and Safety Executive reported that over half a million UK employees were suffering from work-related stress, anxiety or depression.
We think self-care is vital for all employees, in all organisations. We’ve put together ten tips for self-care at work below, to help you get started on looking after yourself:
Struggling? Reach out to others
When we’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed at work, it’s common to keep things bottled up. We don’t want to be seen as ‘weak,’ or unable to handle the same amount of work as others. We don’t want to jeopardise our progression. We don’t want to reveal ‘too much’ of ourselves at work, for fear of being judged. The truth is, stress affects ALL of us from time to time – though there’s still a stigma attached to it. This can make it extremely difficult for many people to discuss with those around them.
If you’re struggling, don’t hesitate to seek support from your colleagues. They might be able to take a few things off your hands to help out – or perhaps they’ll suggest a simpler, less stressful way of doing things. We’ve all been in the same position at one time or another, so it’s highly likely that your colleagues will want to support you.
Don’t buy into the long-hours culture
When you’re busy with a project, it’s tempting to spend as much time working on it as possible to get the job done. While this level of commitment and dedication is great, it can pass by in a blur of exhaustion. Studies show that working longer hours actually reduces productivity, and negatively impacts our physical and mental wellbeing.
Instead of working in intense ‘bursts’ to complete a project as quickly as possible, set achievable daily goals that fit within your working hours. You’ll get a greater sense of achievement knowing that you’ve ticked off your tasks for the day – and you’ll leave work knowing what tomorrow looks like.
Refocus your work-life balance
If you’re feeling stressed at work, it might be time to refocus on life outside of the office. That’s not to say you don’t love what you do – every job is stressful from time to time, but feeling overwhelmed by stress on a frequent basis can significantly affect your mental health.
We all need to spend time doing the things we enjoy outside of work, and find a good, healthy balance. Flexible working could be an option to consider to achieve this – take a look at the acas guidelines here for more information.
Focus on your strengths
Many of us find it’s easier to be hard on ourselves, than it is to celebrate our successes and achievements. One mistake in a day, however small or insignificant, can end up being the focus of our attention – in place of the good things that have happened. At People Lab, we believe in taking a strengths-based approach – focusing on the positives (and how we can do more of the good), instead of fixating on ‘problems.’
To help you focus on your strengths, we’ve out together a guide to Best Self Feedback. Download it for free today!
Know your limits – and stick to them
When you’re asked to contribute to a project, do you take time to consider your schedule – or do you immediately agree to the extra work? Although most of us want to help our colleagues as much as possible, taking on too much could contribute to workplace stress.
If you find yourself in this position, take the time to assess how you’ll manage any extra work, and how it’ll affect the things you’re already working on. If you decide you’re able to help, set out clear guidelines on what you’re willing to do – and stick to them.
How do you take care of yourself at work? Do you think self-care is important? We’d love to hear your views – let us know via Twitter, or in the comments section below.
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People Lab’s guide to Best Self Feedback
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