Here's how you can incorporate self-care practices into your busy work schedule.

Your body and mind are the best indicators of the stress levels. When we start realising that there needs to be a balance in everything we do, including work and personal life, things start to fall in place. The first step is to know where to draw the line. Once you realise that then work on fixing a routine for yourself, which could be physical exercise, breathing techniques, meditation. These will help ur body as well as your mind. Besides these, you need to take regular breaks from screen time as well.

When I started my career as writer, I was always working hard on my job, studied after finishing my 12 hours of shift, had no time for myself. But eventually I realised that mind and body go hand in hand, and you must take care of your body, in order to have a calm mind. Now, I wake up in morning, never touch my phone as there are so many notifications that can easily distract me. So I quickly do my morning yoga and drink water, freshen up, play with my doggo, talk to my sister and leave for office????

One consistent way that I recommend each of you to do is to structure your day to day in blocks of 30 mins. Learned this from my mentor and he says that in the thick and thin of our days, make sure you have 30 mins of self care scheduled be it during or after work, best is during. Great example would be as below: 30 mins of deep work finishing that strategy doc 30 mins of a quick MLBB game 30 mins of processing/updating project timelines and details 15 mins of a quick shut eye 15 mins of research on some ideas to bounce off for the next meeting 30 mins of meeting (try to keep it within timeline) repeat

If you feel overextended and can evaluate and descope your day-to-day commitments, you should prioritize the tasks that need to get done, and the tasks you love or feel passionately about. Take a hard look at everything else and see what you can shed. There will always be more work, but there's only one you. Your team needs you to take care of yourself, so when you're "on," you can really show up in an impactful way.

Prioritizing self-care begins with mental health for me. I kickstart my day with a refreshing glass of apple cider and water, followed by meditation after a morning bath. #SelfCare #MentalHealth #MorningRoutine

Walking meetings! Can you take a low impact meeting like a chat with an internal collegue or networking "coffee" chat while heading outside for a walk? For me, even the 20/30 minutes to stretch my legs and get a change of scenery then makes me more focused and creative once I am back at my desk.

Try the pomodoro technique, focus on work in a deep state of flow for 30 mins and take a 10 mins break, you may vary the time depending on the intensity of the piece of work. Working in a state of flow for 45 mins and then take a 10-15 mins break works too.

I've learned taking breaks increases refreshment, productivity and flow. Pauses make the music. The best ideas form and come when our heads are not buried in work, so enjoy the break, get refreshed and give your best.

It sounds like small breaks can't do much.But on a practical note it really works when we rest our mind and body - a halt for a few minutes and shifting or blowing off our busy schedule smoke .It's like restarting the system ??

In my experience, meditation is a powerful tool to reduce stress and improve focus by activating the body's relaxation response. By training the mind to stay present, you can improve productivity and efficiency.

Personally, I got overwhelmed by the loads of information out there about healthy foods and habits. Everyone has an opinion and nobody can do it all. This is why my eating habits are now governed by 2 simple principles- - Eat meals on set times. Yes, having a set time to eat is as important as eating right. - Include some easy to eat healthy foods in your meals and substitute fast food. Personally, I have fruits for breakfast. This not only balances my diet and ensures I eat fruit every day, but also gives the metabolic system a breather (as not everyone is blessed with a healthy metabolism). Remember, set realistic goals and inculcate 'sustainable' habits. Consistency trumps big changes.

My answer to this is simple: sugar-free snacks. Eating between meals boosts metabolism, and there are plenty of high-protein and energizing foods that are healthier than sweets—especially if you don't work out often. Pick that dark chocolate, sugar-free juice or coffee, jelly, celery, greek yogurt, peanuts. You'll see and feel the difference in less than one month.

Plan and prepare nutritious meals and snacks that fuel your body and mind, enhancing productivity and focus. Keep healthy options like fruits, nuts, and yogurt readily available to avoid the temptation of unhealthy snacks. Schedule regular, balanced meals and stay hydrated throughout the day. By prioritizing healthy eating, you support your overall well-being, maintain energy levels, and improve your ability to manage work demands effectively.

Don't eat at your desk! I didn't take a lunch break for years, instead grabbing something quick to eat at my desk so I wouldn't lose valuable work time. Last year, I got a standing desk that doesn't leave space for me to eat at my desk, so I was forced to take a break and eat lunch at a real table. Without working. Taking even 20 minutes to sit and eat mindfully, I am able to go back to work with better focus in the afternoon. While it came about unintentionally, that mid-day mental break has made a surprising difference for me.

Stand up, stretch the arms, lower the neck, then turn the head side-to-side. Bake a 30-minute exercise routine into the day. Walk up and down the stairs, take a spin with the dog around the block. These little physical breaks help to fuel the mind, and sharpen the focus.

Incorporating walks during your Chai break is a great way to keep moving. Chai is a great motivator, so me and a couple of colleagues, rain or shine, would go at least 2 times a day for tea and then walk. Moving around in your office when it's too hot outside is also a great way to exercise. This not only keeps you moving, you also get that much needed break!

At least twice a day, I take my work meeting (WFH) on my elliptical. That way, I can get the work and the workout done. Also, I have replaced coffee with effervescent vitamin tablets. It has increased my water intake and helped me cut down on caffeine.

Do you work with screens? Then find a hobby that doesn't involve being in front of one. If you are a series addict hooked on streaming platforms, switch these for a good book. Avoid video games and enjoy a comic book if you're looking for fiction. Listen to podcasts, audiobooks, go for a run, practice sport with friends, dance... but move around and let your eyes and brain rest. Of course, it goes without saying that it is ideal to stay as far away from social media as possible.

1. Yoga as an integral part of the day - duration may vary. 2. Walk as much as you can - invent opportunities to do so. 3. Relax with music 4. Spend time with family.. 'Dil se' (from heart) 5. Meditate/Contemplate!

We have to disconnect from all social media platforms outside of work for at least 30 day intervals. You will see just how attached and addicted to these devices. And each time you ween yourself off, it will get easier for the next. The first time will be eye opening and revolutionary. Time away from social media will give you the time to reflect and see things from your personal perspective. You will love being in your brown head and living in the moments that are personally in your space and reach. It will force you to pay attention to nature and life.

Another thing that always helps me a lot are short vacations where I consciously do without digital media. This has a double effect: on the one hand, I can enjoy the vacation better and, on the other, the electronic withdrawal brings me back into focus.

If you can integrate spiritual practices in your schedule! It helps me calm my senses and especially helps with anxiety and stress. It can be as simple as a 10 minute breath focus or a guided meditation. Sometimes I also integrate EFT tapping techniques or breathing exercises (like 4-7-8). I follow a Buddhist philosophy as well and chant daily morning & evening and it helps me pray & remain focused on my goals.

You can't end a day beating yourself up about things that didn't go to plan during your workday. If you do, it'll stay with you all the way home, through your social hours and into your sleep. Nothing work-related deserves that level of permission to affect your life and health. Leave that space for what really counts - <fill in your priorities here>!

A healthy body and a healthy mind work in tandem. This is especially true for the creative industry professionals. Self-reflection is the tool to help you become more aware of your work, your strengths and shortcomings. Introspect daily to stay on top of your game and maintain consistent performance.

In my experience, utilizing affirmations before professional events and mindful reflections afterward are powerful ways to be more present and yet more detached from outcomes.

When life gets busy, avoid falling into Hustle energy. In order to keep your energy "above the line," cultivate radical self-acceptance. Notice when you are triggered by pleasing, proving and perfectionism. These strategies might give you short-term gains but they will deplete you in the long run. Stay aware of your body, it will give you feedback if what you're doing feels generative or degenerative. When it's the latter, your job is to investigate. Might there be a more aligned way to move forward? Can you advocate for yourself? Might you better manage expectations (especially your own), or is there an imperfect action that can keep things in motion? Your job is to eliminate the do-or-die energy. When you do, you become resourced

I use a calendar system for my appointments. Friday is never open. I shut all work off on Friday by 2:00 at the latest. I schedule a lot of breaks for breath work, and also for walking outside. I’ve learned the importance of being intentional with the life I want to build and live, and then structuring my work around that.

Build clear boundaries for yourself & your family & stick to them. I communicate very clearly to my team & block my calendar regarding my availability. Once I pick up my family from daycare I don’t take calls in the car nor do I spend time on evening work unless absolutely required. I am intentional that my time with my family is my & their time. No one else’s.

I've discovered - very recently - that its important to give yourself permission to do things that you need to do for your wellness. For example: if you have set aside time for a new morning routine, give yourself the permission to do the routine at the time you set, without distraction or guilt. Give yourself permission, you won't regret it!

Having a work buddy to check in on your progress and mood can be enormously helpful. Knowing you're not tackling projects alone even when it's a one-person task is usually encouraging and the sort of motivation one needs to get things done.

What do your doctor, dentist, and hairstylist have in common? They require appointments and they stay on task throughout the day by completing their work according to the time allotted. If you show up late to have your teeth cleaned, the hygienist does not take it out of the next person’s appointment. You simply get less time. For your own mental health, schedule your day as though you have an allotted time for each calendar entry. Because ultimately you do. You cannot create more time in a day or borrow against any other day. Prioritize your to do list and commitments in the same way. It can be uncomfortable at first, especially if you are somebody who wants to please those around you. But it is well worth it in the end.