Taking Care of Yourself: 10 Days of Self-Care at Work
Welcome to Be Your Own Date - a supportive space dedicated to all things self-care and wellbeing. If you haven’t already done so, I encourage you to take a look at my other posts; I hope you’ll like them and find them useful too! I am building a collection of thought-provoking articles, tips and resources to uplift you and get you thinking. This month is dedicated to 30 Days of Self-Care.
💙 30 days of self-care
I am sharing simple and accessible self-care ideas with you in a three-post series, so don’t forget to come back and read all of them.
Join me for 30 Days of Self-Care in September (and beyond). Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook (@beyourowndate) to follow my self-care and wellbeing journey. You don’t want to miss this!
Let's talk self-care at work
In this post, I will explore what 10 days of self-care at work could look like to support you in taking care of yourself, with an emphasis on professional development. Are you up for the challenge?
We spend the majority of the day working to make a living, so the very least we can do is devote some thinking time to self-care and wellbeing during working hours.
I was inspired to write this series because I am often asked about how I practice self-care and what it means to me. I am also struck by the growing attention on self-care - and rightly so - but sometimes the ideas and actionable steps are few and far between. In response, this is a practical guide to keep and refer to at any time. Use this when you need some inspiration and motivation to continue with your self-care plan or routine, whether you are employed or self-employed, which is most effective when personalised to your needs and interests.
Individual self-care support
Is your work in alignment with your values and vision? Let me support you to prioritise your self-care and develop your own plan, with an emphasis on your career and professional life, as your Wellbeing Coach. Simply click the button below to register your interest and book a free discovery call with me. All coaching sessions take place online. Let’s talk!
When it comes to taking good care of yourself, I suggest taking the time to shape the self-care ideas that really resonate with you, to fit your own schedule and way of doing things. Unfortunately, it’s rarely as simple as ‘copy and paste’. I would also encourage you to do some independent research; whilst these are simple ideas, they may not always be easy to implement and may require some additional reading. Do the work. Your future self will be very thankful!
Self-care is an action
Self-care is more than words of encouragement, it is an action. Moreover, it is a collection of ideas suited to your needs that you can put into practice routinely. And, it is not restricted to how you take care of yourself at home, it can relate to all areas of your life - personal and professional. This is why I believe that it is important to highlight self-care ideas at work and to encourage self-compassion wherever you are, including in the workplace.
Whilst preparing for the best way to present 30 Days of Self-Care and what to write about, I thought about how self-care applies to the different areas of our lives as well as the things that we often overlook, so you may well find some surprises. Be Your Own Date is a space to get you thinking after all! So, take one day at a time (or more if you need it) because at the end of the day, there’s no rush and the only competition is yourself.
I have categorised 30 different ways to practice self-care under three themes, though you will notice that there is some overlap:
☀️ Self-care in the workplace (days 11 - 20)
Taking care of yourself: 10 days of self-care at work
Here are 10 self-care at work ideas for you to consider. I got you!
Day 11. Boundaries
Day 12. Stay connected
Day 13. Update your CV
Day 14. Take regular breaks
Day 15. Create a to-do list
Day 16. Listen to music
Day 17. Your true, authentic self
Day 18. Have the right tech
Day 19. Reflect on your day
Day 20. Embrace life outside work
Day 11. ⚡Boundaries⚡
Be unapologetically you.
A gentle reminder to set clear boundaries and stick to them - that’s the part that I often find difficult. Can you relate?
Colleagues and clients may try to push your boundaries at work, but it is important to be firm on what you ARE and ARE NOT comfortable with. Practice saying “No!”
Day 12. ⚡Stay connected⚡
Whether you are an employee or self-employed, continue to nurture your connections with friends, family and colleagues…especially while working from home. Take a look at my insights into how to stay connected for some inspiration.
Day 13. ⚡Update your CV⚡
Put some time aside to add all the wonderful skills and experience that you have gained recently, whether you are seeking a new career opportunity or simply wish to record your personal and professional achievements. Highlight your strengths!
Your CV is a tool to showcase your background, skill set, aspirations and personal brand.
As your Wellbeing Coach, this is something that I can support you with as part of your personalised coaching programme, alongside reconnecting with your purpose and, even, making your next career move. Read more about 1:1 Wellbeing Coaching if you are curious.
Day 14. ⚡Take regular breaks⚡
Take regular breaks...
… a tea break (📸 rose & cinnamon infusion)
… a comfort break
… a lunch break
Reduce your computer screen time and rest your eyes while doing so. It is all too easy to sit and eat lunch (and even dinner) whilst at your desk - give yourself permission to step away from your screen and delight in enjoying your food and snacks - mindful eating!
There have been times when I have felt the pressure not to take breaks at work because that is what was expected, ingrained in the workplace culture like some unwritten rule, and looking back this is so not cool. Yes, there are times when you are extremely busy or you are on a roll and don't want to lose momentum and step away from your desk, but I feel that this should be the exception and not the rule. That said, I also grasp the reality that it can be hard to settle into your working environment and grapple with the desire to create a good impression - and even harder to voice your opinions (both positive and negative) - which cannot be taken for granted. However, there is definitely something to be said about having the space and support to be courageous at work and to build self-confidence and resilience.
Day 11. Boundaries (above) are particularly relevant here. What are your thoughts on this?
Day 15. ⚡Create a to-do list⚡
I find it soooo satisfying to write a to-do list and tick each task once completed, don’t you? This could be in written form, or using symbols and drawings if you like - as long as you understand it, that's all that matters.
☑️ Keeps me focused
☑️ Organised
☑️ Helps to reduce my anxiety + overwhelm
But make sure the tasks are clear the first time around, to avoid trying to figure out what on earth you meant when you revert to your list later. Let it make sense to you!
Day 16. ⚡Listen to music⚡
Whether you are on-the-go or sitting at your desk, listening to music can help you to get through the day, so selecting the right songs and instrumentals are important to help get us into a positive mindset and stay motivated.
I like to listen to upbeat tunes when working my way through emails or more relaxed, easy-going tunes when I need to really concentrate on a task. My Feel Good playlist is ready for you to listen to. What’s on your work playlist?
Day 17. ⚡Your true, authentic self⚡
In answer to the above, I believe that the answer ought to be “yes”.
No working environment is perfect, but you should feel able to bring your true, authentic self to work. Celebrate what makes you unique. Your interests, your perspective, your experience and skills, the way you speak, your body, your sense of personal style, the texture of your hair…
Don’t give others the power to dim your light⚡️
In an era where our awareness and understanding of the importance of belonging, and the richness that diversity brings to the workplace is heightened, this is one of my non-negotiables.
Day 18. ⚡Have the right tech⚡
Look after yourself with the right tech and equipment to enhance your productivity, health and safety at work.
Ask HR for a Visual Display Unit (VDU) workstation checklist assessment or carry out your own if you work for yourself. It is time to take a closer look at your working environment, think about the positioning of your screen, the height of your desk, the comfort of your seat and whether you are well equipped to complete your daily tasks.
Day 19. ⚡Reflect on your day⚡
How do you like to start and end your day?
Engage in positive self-talk and acknowledge your wins at work - no matter how big or small. And acknowledge what didn’t go so well too.
I like to end my day by naming at least one achievement. What is yours today?
Day 20. ⚡Embrace life outside work⚡
Protect your downtime.
It’s time to switch off and embrace your interests, hobbies and life outside of work for some well deserved “me time”. Better still, take yourself out on a date or just relax if that’s what you prefer. Listen to your body. I have previously shared some of my favourite solo date ideas that you might like to try.
Tip: Read all the blog posts in this informative three-part series, which will take you on a self-care journey over 30 days, rooted in taking care of yourself.
Tell me, which ideas resonate with you most on your self-care journey at work? Let me know in the Comments section below and connect with me on your socials.
1:1 Wellbeing Coaching ☀️
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Curious to know more? Read about my unique approach, personalised coaching programme and what to expect while we work together.
When you are ready to get in touch, submit your interest in personal coaching sessions or pass on this information if you think it might benefit a loved one.
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Be kind to yourself. Be Your Own Date.
~ Amy-Jo ☀️
Disclaimer: The content of this blog is provided for general informational purposes only, and does not constitute professional advice. For that, you will need to speak to your GP and/or local health provider.
