According to the World Health Organization (WHO), self-care is “what people do for themselves to establish and maintain health, and to prevent and deal with illness.” So, what does that mean? Could it be any more vague? Let’s take WHO out of the equation and really consider this question: What is self-care?
Self-care is simple; it encompasses a few basics that, when added together, make you a happier, more centered person. A person who can function well at work and still have bandwidth for the important stuff at home. A person who can find the right balance. What are the magic ingredients to sanity? There are four main components: lifestyle, nutrition, hygiene, and environmental factors.
At its core, self-care is about making sure you’re taking adequate care of your body and mind so that you can stop worrying about the small stuff. This flows back and forth between your personal and work life, making you a more solid person.
I – Word Understanding
Encompass – to include
Bandwidth – emotional or mental capacity
Sanity – health of mind
Hygiene – maintenance of health
II – Have Your Say
1. It is good to care about others, but you should not forget to care for yourself. This means doing the things you enjoy and making time to do them every day. What are the things you do to take care of yourself?
2. It’s not only important to take care of yourself at home. You spend the majority of your day at work, so self-care takes a priority there too. So, how do you practice self-care at work? Here are ideas about how to add self-care into your work life:
1. Get up, stretch, and move.
2. Snack smartly (nutrition plays a huge role in your ability to cope with stress).
3. Take three deep breaths at key intervals or critical moments throughout your day.
4. Journal for one minute about a positive experience at work each day.
5. Take a walk during your lunch break.
6. Make a playlist that motivates you.
7. Write down three things that you are grateful for at work.
8. Give yourself a few activities away from the computer.
9. Have lunch with co-workers outside the office.
