TSP • @myTSPnet
The end of the year can be a stressful time in both professional and personal life. With Q4 coming to a close, there’s more pressure to make the final push in business and meet year-end goals. In personal life, relatives visiting and holiday events bring warmth and fun but the frenetic pace can cause anxiety and discomfort. When stress begins to overwhelm you, it’s important to take time to practice self-care. It will make you a better businessperson, friend and family member.
As the end of 2018 nears, don’t let stress hinder your growth and well-being. Practice the below tips for self-care to ensure you’re putting your best foot forward.
WEAVE SELF-CARE INTO YOUR WORKDAY
Oftentimes, we assume that self-care must be achieved outside of the workplace. But, self-care practices can actually be observed in the workplace. First, try giving yourself grace. You’re your own worst critic, so it’s important to make an effort to tone down negative self-talk. Think to yourself, “how would I respond to a friend or colleague in this situation?” Research shows that positive self-talk can improve performance and increase happiness.
Rewarding yourself for your achievements is another way to practice self-care at work. So often we achieve something and move straight to the next thing. Experts believe celebrating your own achievements can improve motivation and drive. Taking time to appreciate the present moment also decreases the likelihood of burnout.
EXERCISE DAILY
Exercise is likely the most important self-care practice. A recent study concluded that not exercising is actually worse for you than smoking and diabetes. Luckily, exercise is not only excellent for your physical health, but it also has significant benefits for your mental health. In fact, regular exercise boosts the part of the brain responsible for memory and learning.
The average adult should get about 150 minutes of exercise per week. While this may sound daunting, breaking that 150 minutes into 20 minute daily sessions is much more manageable. Another way to optimize your exercise sessions is to share them with a friend. Not only will this increase your accountability, but you’ll also get the added bonus of time spent with a friend or loved one.
UPGRADE YOUR WORKSPACE
Whether you work in a cubicle or the corner office, your workspace impacts your happiness and mood. Considering the amount of time you spend at work, it’s important that your space makes you feel inspired and clear-headed. In the same way you spend careful time and consideration designing your home, you should carefully curate your workspace.
Upgrading your workplace could mean anything from simply placing picture frames on your desk to investing in an office chair that supports your back. These seemingly minute changes can make the hours you spend at work more pleasant.
UNPLUG
When you’re constantly connected to emails, texts and other alerts, it’s hard to relax and really check-in with yourself. Unplugging is critical in improving your mental clarity and health.
Try making small changes to your daily technology usage. Go for a walk without your cell phone. Enjoy dinner without being bothered by notifications distracting you from the conversation. Or, turn your phone on airplane mode an hour before bed and read a book. Making these small changes will remind you how nice unplugging feels and that, in most cases, technology can wait.
SLEEP
Sleep is one of the most easily-accessible methods of self-care, yet we often ignore its benefits. Getting the proper amount of sleep per night has the ability to transform your day. Sleep improves your mood, boosts memory, reduces stress and more.
Make an effort to get more sleep by going to bed at the same time each night and waking up at the same time each morning. Your body will get used to this routine and reap in the benefits of sleep. Additionally, sleep works hand-in-hand with exercise. Exercising regularly makes for deeper, better sleep.
Adopting one of these five simple self-care tips will make the end of the year much less stressful. In addition, your health could even improve with a new emphasis on self-care.
