Self-Care at Work

What does self care look like in a workplace?

We’ve all heard it and experienced it. You’ve had a big day at work, and you just need a moment to regain your thoughts and compose yourself. Depending on the industry you work in, what stresses you’ve encountered and what you’ve faced can look very different for lots of people. The same can be said for the let down or the recovery.

But perhaps that doesn’t need to be the case. We acknowledge that there are many people burnt out at the moment, chronic staff shortages and crumbling resources. While we advocate for larger change , it’s really up to the higher powers to support this. However, for the individuals, we can provide some suggestions on how to incorporate self-care into the workplace.

Understanding self-care

Normally we’d jump at the thought of a bubble bath, a cup of tea and a sneaky chocolate. But that might not be the most efficient way to de-stress in the middle of the day. Sure, they’re great ideas for after work and ones we’ve engaged in often, but what are some workplace appropriate activities?

Well, here are some suggestions that can be done throughout the day. In layman terms, self-care is about caring for yourself. It’s about understanding how you can perform at your optimal whilst being the most authentic, efficient, and amazing self. It involves putting your own health and well-being at the top of the care list and protecting your mental health.

How to encourage employee self-care

If you’re not managing your own stress levels and mental health, how can you help others? If you’re in control, you’ll be more organised and ready for the workday. So hopefully some of these tips might be useful in realigning your current situation.

1. Lead by example

Everyone, at every level of the business, should model self-care at work. It shouldn’t just happen at the weekly yoga class. Leaders need to demonstrate their own self-care practices and support their teams to build out their own. Everyone is different, but if you don’t know what self-care looks like, it’s harder to put it into practice.?

2. Establish work hours

It might sound really obvious, but it’s vital you and your team work during work hours. Especially with the recent introduction of the Right to Disconnect legislation (grab our fact sheet on this if you’re not up to date), everyone – including your clients, customers and suppliers – needs to know when you’re available.?

3. Create flexible work arrangements

At Now Actually, we’re a remote-first business. This is by design. But equally, my team are empowered to work flexibly to accommodate their lifestyles and responsibilities outside of work. Offering flexible hours, locations and different projects to work on shows you put your people first. And when you’re a people-first business, the rewards are endless!?

4. Practise proper time management

Creating a proper work schedule can help you get in the right frame of mind to start your workday.? Starting each day with a to-do list and identifying the number one priority is a great start. Although it's a small action, it can help you feel productive, motivated, and aware of what needs to be done whilst removing the fear of forgetting something.

Similarly, you can try using a Pomodoro timer to keep you focused when you’re working on deeper tasks. It’s 25 minutes of uninterrupted work, followed by a 5 minute break (with a longer 10 minute break every 3 rounds). This has been a game changer for many people, especially those who work from home and are prone to getting easily distracted.?

5. Follow a routine

When establishing a work routine, it likely won’t be perfect from day one. It’s important to factor in everything that needs to get done, from ‘deep work’ and meetings, to team training and breaks. And like any goal – be realistic! Allow buffer time for distractions and the unexpected.?

I’m always reminding my team to be kind and generous with their schedules and understand that it might take a bit of fine tuning to get it right. Small incremental changes will make it easier to reach any goal. But remember: your routine needs to be one that’s not only useful, but also enjoyable. It should fit well with your goals, lifestyle and workload.

6. Request some time off

I see this time and time again with our clients at Now Actually… they work themselves into burnout because they didn’t plan for a break. Don’t wait until you’re running on fumes to book that Bali trip. If you see your teammates struggling, discourage overworking too. It’s not good for their mental health and it certainly won’t help the business in the long run.?

7. Create an ergonomic workspace

Whether you’re working in the office, from home or a coworking space, having the right set up is part of good self-care at work. You’ll spend so much time at work, so start with the basics: a good quality desk and ergonomic chair. Get a second monitor for your computer if possible. When you take care of your body, it will perform at its best!?

8. Set boundaries

Learning how to say ‘no’ when you have to is how you maintain good well-being at work. Setting clear boundaries at work is a professional courtesy. It shows people how you like to be treated and when they can approach you. If you don’t set boundaries, you may struggle to get work done and/or fall into the trap of people-pleasing (and likely burning out).?

9. Promote breaks (that includes a proper lunch break!)

If you can, create a schedule with set breaks. Most calendar programs have the option to auto add these, taking any stress away. At the same time, look at how you can carve up your day by factoring in breaks around getting work done. I highly recommend taking a dedicated lunch break (away from your computer). It prioritises your physical and mental health, getting you outside for fresh air and giving your brain a rest.

10. Encourage employees to use their benefits

Educate your staff on what benefits you provide so they feel empowered to practise good self-care at work. From EAPs and annual leave, to training programs and incentives, if your team know what’s available, they’re more likely to embrace every part of the business.

How HR supports self-care in the workplace

If you’re looking for ways to practise better self-care, HR can help. It’s in the name: we provide humans with the resources they need to succeed at work! Creating clear policies and procedures can set expectations and make it easier for your team to take care of themselves under your care.?

If you don’t know where to start –?or perhaps know your HR needs some fine-tuning –?get in touch with my team or drop me a DM. Self-care at work is everyone’s responsibility but you don’t have to sacrifice your own mental health trying to work it out. We’ve got your back!?

This article is repurposed from the Now Actually website and originally published via this link .