Working out, eating healthy, reading or taking a nice bubble bath could be ways you destress and recharge after hours, but how do you reduce stress when you’re at work?

Work and self-care are often seen as competing forces, but it doesn’t have to be that way. We should instill self-care practices into our daily work lives to be happier, healthier and more fulfilled. Below, you’ll find ways to feel more energized, less stressed and more motivated when you’re at work.

• Know Your Stressors – We all have unique situations and tasks that cause us stress. Often unavoidable, be aware of what those stressors are so you can be prepared for them. Is it your workload, working in a noisy environment versus a quiet environment or meeting deadlines? Self-awareness is the first step in taking control of what makes you stressed.
• Be More Self-Compassionate – You wouldn’t shame a coworker if they made an accidental mistake, so why shame yourself when you make a mistake? The National Library of Medicine associates self-criticism with anxiety and depression, while self-compassion has been linked to motivation, curiosity and well-being. Positive self-talk is crucial in getting through tough situations. Reframe your critical statements to be positive and motivating like you’re talking to a friend. You got this!
• Practice Mindfulness – Mindfulness is proven to decrease burnout, stress, anxiety and makes us feel recharged – just like taking a big, deep breath (or many breaths, actually). For tips on how to be more mindful at the office and in general, listen to this short webinar, Practical Mindfulness.
• Create an Inspiring Workspace – Fill your workspace with items that bring you joy, such as, photos of family, your favorite quotes, plants, etc. Keep your workspace organized by creating a filing system, such as filing by topic, so there aren’t piles of paper on your desk.
• Ask for Help – Asking for help when needed is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of someone who is realistic and a team player. Most of the time coworkers are more than happy to lend a helping hand when they can. In return, let coworkers know when you have free time to help them.

If you want to engage in more self-care tips, tune in to our new podcast series, Casually Caffeinated: Light Your Fire – Beyond Burnout, where our HR and wellness pros discuss mental health, resiliency and give you the motivation you need to finish 2020 strong.

Organizations are in a constant state of change and the Kinetiq Health team supports them every step of the way. A unique formula of people, processes and technologies enables our team to keep an educated eye on the financial and clinical implications of data to move organizations toward improved financial health and employee wellbeing.