If you often find yourself feeling exhausted by the time Tuesday rolls around, it can be tough to muster up the motivation to go to work at all. We get it – you’re busy and it’s hard to find time for self care when you’re always working. But trust us, taking care of yourself is important if you want to stay energized and healthy.
To help you sneak in some self care even when you’re busy at work, try to do things like take a quick break to walk around outside, drink lots of water, and eat healthy snacks. And on Sundays, make sure to set aside some time for yourself to do things that make you happy, like reading a book or taking a yoga class.
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7 Little Ways To Sneak In Some Self Care At Work
1. Carry Your Water Bottle Everywhere
Water is one of the most important things for our bodies, so it’s no surprise that it’s on this list. If you don’t drink enough water and only drink coffee, you can get dehydrated quickly, and this will make you feel tired and drained. To counter that, get a nice water bottle and help yourself stay hydrated. And if it’s hard for you to remember it, set up a nice chime on your phone that will remind you to hydrate every 30 minutes or so.
Another way to drink more water is to invest in a good (and pretty!) water bottle. This will make it more enjoyable for you to drink water throughout the day, and it will also help you stay hydrated.
2. Bring In Healthy Snacks
Your body needs a small energy boost every few hours, especially if you’re doing a lot of mental work. Instead of buying unhealthy snacks at the work buffet, bring in nutritious, healthy snacks like nuts, fruit, veggie sticks, protein shake, or homemade energy bites. The right nutrition can make a huge difference in the way you feel so don’t skip this one – it’s the core element of any self-care!
Plus, healthy snacks can make you prettier too. Your body, your skin, your hair – they all need vitamins, minerals, and protein to repair and rebuild themselves. You only have to give them what they need.
If you’re looking for a stylish and practical way to carry your lunch to work, consider getting a lunch bag or lunch tote. These are designed to fit several lunchboxes in and keep the temperature inside optimal for prolonged freshness.
3. Take Regular Breaks
Remember to get up, stand up, and stretch your body every hour. This will help improve your blood circulation and spine health. I know it sounds boring, but trust me, it’s very important. I used to skimp on taking breaks when I was younger, and now I have to deal with recurring back pain and sciatica episodes. I can’t exercise the way I want to, and I can’t sit for very long periods of time – all because I didn’t do regular breaks while working on my laptop. And I’m only 28! So please don’t make the same mistake that I did.
4. Have Temperature Backup
In modern workplaces, it’s easy to get too hot or too cold almost every day. Air conditioners and heaters are rarely working at perfect levels to fit everyone so it’s best just to have something that can adjust the temperature to what feels optimal to you. Keep a sweater or jacket for colder days and a light blouse or shirt in case you want to switch to something lighter.
5. Practice Mindfulness At Your Desk
Once in a while, it can be helpful to take a break from what you’re doing and focus on the present moment.
Notice the things around you, like the colors and shapes of the objects on your desk. You can even discreetly give yourself a mini-massage by touching different surfaces or smelling the flowers on your desk. Being mindful of your surroundings can help you relax and avoid overstressing yourself. It’s also a form of self care that you can do anywhere, any time.
6. Use A Hydrating Face Mist
Your skin is affected by everyday pollution, and your workplace is no different. Air conditioners, computers, and dust can make your skin dry and dehydrated. An easy way to moisturize your skin without ruining your makeup is by using a hydrating face mist. I love face mists with thermal water since they are the lightest and I can really see the difference in my skin when I’m using them.
7. Tune Out The Environment
If you find that you have colleagues who are extra chatty, or there’s a lot of noise in general, try using headphones at work so you can tune everything out. Listen to something soothing, like nature sounds or soft instrumental music. This will help you take a little time to be with yourself, even in a room full of people. It may also help you to concentrate and focus, thus helping you to do your tasks faster!
All in all, it is evident that self-care is absolutely essential. It can be difficult to function at our best or maintain a good mood if we never do anything for ourselves.
Fortunately, there are ways to sneak in some self-care even on our busiest workdays. It’s really about those little things we do for ourselves that matter. Yes, they may be small gestures, but if we do them consistently throughout the workweek, they can add up to a pretty decent dose of self-care.
