National Self-Care Awareness Month: Ways to practice self-care at work

National Self-Care Awareness Month takes place in September and is a time to reflect on how you incorporate health and wellness into your professional and personal life. With more people prioritizing self-care in the workplace, creating a culture of awareness is essential to support a positive work environment. Find out how you can celebrate National Self-Care Awareness Month and practice better self-care at work.

History of National Self-Care Awareness Month

The term “self-care” dates to the civil rights movement of the 1950s. Today, the meaning of self-care goes beyond its origins to encompass values and practices that prioritize mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health and wellness.

The idea of self-care grew over the decades, and in 2017, Evolve to Live officially began sponsoring National Self-Care Awareness Month in September. This recognition continues to positively impact all aspects of people’s lives. So, it’s no surprise that self-care continues to expand into work-life balance, where its importance is increasingly apparent as a way to stay engaged, reduce stress, and avoid burnout.

Observing National Self-Care Awareness Month at work

Check out some of the ways you can celebrate National Self-Care Awareness Month:

Prioritize time management

As if it hasn’t been said enough, better time management is essential to maintaining a healthy work-life balance. In celebration of National Self-Care Awareness Month, take a moment to prioritize your time management and create a workflow that keeps you on track with your projects without causing burnout. Here are some ways to make better time management part of your self-care at work:

• Create task lists according to the level of urgency.
• Complete high-priority tasks first and save easier tasks for later.
• Recognize your best productivity times and try to complete your most important tasks during these times.
• Use time tracking to organize your daily and weekly tasks.
• Take regular breaks to refresh and reset your mind.

Practice saying “no”

It can be tough to say “no” at work sometimes, especially when you feel that your contributions are necessary. But taking on too much in your workload can lead to stress, anxiety, and burnout. Instead, gauge your workload and learn to say no when taking on an additional project could lead to overload and stress.

Set boundaries

Set boundaries and recognize your limitations. You may, for example, carve out a specific lunchtime every day when you shut work off for 30 minutes to an hour. Think about how you’ll keep distractions from getting in the way of your break time and personal time, even if it means stepping away from the workplace entirely for a while. Be consistent in enforcing these boundaries so you develop a habit of taking time to recharge and care for yourself.

Find ways to manage stress

Research shows that a poor work-life balance can lead to higher levels of stress and burnout. However, self-care at work can help alleviate this. You can manage work stress and create a better work-life balance in many ways. Here are a few tips from the Cleveland Clinic to reduce stress, beat burnout, and practice better self-care at work:

• Build healthy work relationships and address any issues compassionately.
• Assess your workload regularly and adjust how much you take on when necessary.
• Avoid multitasking and complete projects one at a time.
• Keep your workspace neat to help you stay organized.

Practice meditation and mindfulness

Meditation is another practice that can fit into your self-care routine, as it can help you reduce stress, develop mindfulness, and improve your sense of self. This is especially beneficial for beating the stress that sometimes comes from work. To celebrate National Self-Care Awareness Month, try making meditation a consistent part of your daily routine. Try guided meditations to start, such as online videos or wellness guides.

Take advantage of wellness programs

In light of the increasing understanding of the importance of self-care at work, more companies are integrating wellness programs into their compensation packages. The Society for Human Resource Management found that 81% of large companies have some form of wellness program in place. This can be in the form of health account allowances, fitness programs, wellness support, or mental health support. So, if you have this benefit, use it in celebration of National Self-Care Awareness Month and throughout the rest of the year.

“It can’t be said enough — taking time off to focus on yourself can greatly reduce the chances of stress-induced burnout.”

Take time off

It can’t be said enough — taking time off to focus on yourself can greatly reduce the chances of stress-induced burnout. Time off doesn’t have to wait until you’re sick or take a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. Taking time away encourages you to refresh, relax, spend time with your family and friends, and develop your personal interests, which can help you stay productive when you get back to work. Many organizations are coming to understand the value of these benefits, with several adopting unlimited vacation policies.

Self-assess

National Self-Care Awareness Month is also a time to reflect on the areas in your personal and professional life you want to improve. You may get active in a new fitness routine or learn a new skill outside of work. Focusing on self-development outside of work can help you adopt healthy, positive habits that support personal growth. A self-care assessment can help you pinpoint areas where you could incorporate more wellness into your life.

Ask for support

Self-care also extends to recognizing when you need extra support. If you’re becoming overwhelmed at work, speak to a colleague or supervisor and ask for additional help completing projects or adjusting your workload. This can mean the difference between a minor challenge and major burnout. 

Provide support

Extend your support to others at work who may feel overloaded. If you have the availability and flexibility, offering an extra hand goes a long way toward building strong work relationships and cultivating a positive work environment. This further promotes self-care at work by encouraging open communication and empathy.

Communicate your needs

Practicing self-care at work also extends to communicating openly about your needs. If you feel that you need additional tools or resources to support your work, tell your manager or supervisor. Being honest about your workload and whether you’re feeling overwhelmed is important for combating stress and burnout.

Set goals

National Self-Care Awareness Month isn’t just about focusing on your health and well-being. It’s also an ideal time to reflect on and pursue your goals. Take time to consider what you want to accomplish professionally and financially, in addition to your personal aspirations. If you want to change careers, for example, set a goal and take steps toward finding the right match, such as uploading your resume on CareerBuilder. Use a journal to record your progress or check in with a friend or trusted colleague for extra motivation.

Importance of self-care at work

Prioritizing self-care isn’t a luxury. It’s important for your physical and mental well-being, both in and out of work. National Self-Care Awareness Month is a reminder that focusing on your needs, practicing mindfulness, and taking regular breaks can help you stay productive and prevent burnout. Feeling good makes you more likely to stay motivated and satisfied in your job. Plus, self-care practices can make you more resilient and improve your decision-making skills. So use National Self-Care Awareness Month to care for yourself and focus on your growth and development.

More resources on self-care and work-life balance

Reduce stress and boost your productivity with these tips to achieving a better work-life balance.

Feeling overwhelmed at work? Here are six ways you can improve your mental health at work.

Stress is a productivity killer. Find out how to combat work stress.