Workplace values, like self-care, are an essential aspect of any work environment. Whether you work from home or need to be in an office, employees need to adhere to certain unspoken standards of work ethics.
In other words, workplace values can be considered as a set of guiding principles that will help to shape the way you and your colleagues work together. When specific values are shared to be expected in order to work together in a professional setting, fewer misunderstandings will occur.
A happier, more cohesive and understanding environment will grow out of such a nurturing environment. And that’s got to be a win-win situation for everyone.
With all that being said, what are some of these workplace values that can help to improve the overall quality of your work environment?
In this article, you will be able to find out more about the workplace value of self-care and 3 ways you can practice self-care at your office.
What is mindfulness?
Sure, you and I know what the term generally asks of anyone in a social setting. However, what exactly does it mean?
According to Lexico.com, self-care refers to “the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s own health”.
When placed into the context of a working environment, self-care can take on many forms at the workplace. As with any workplace value, we use self-care as a guiding principle to help us make better decisions as a colleague, and more importantly, as an individual.
How then we can apply it at the workplace? Read on to find out 🙂
How to practice self-care at the office?
Practicing the workplace value of self-care at the office doesn’t actually call for much effort! Meaning to say, that it does not need to be big or outlandish gestures.
We practice self-care through the simple, and daily acts of our everyday lifestyle. As such, here are 3 steps you can take to start practicing self-care within your own office space.
Learn to say no
Learning to say no is one of the first steps you can take to practice self-care at the workplace. Why, you wonder?
Oftentimes, individuals work so hard at the office to check tasks off their lists that they completely what their bandwidth is like. Learn to say no! When you are already flooded with tasks and someone comes to you with more, be frank.
Be honest and express how you are unable to take on any more work until you clear some off your plate. Taking on more work when you already have your hands full is not a good practice at work. This will eat into your time and mess up your planned schedule.
If they insist that you take on the work, be open to discussing a realistic timeline as to when you may be able to complete the task. Otherwise, propose alternatives as to who else may be able to complete the task.
Take the initiative to set some boundaries. You’d be practicing the workplace value of self-care in no time!
Take your breaks
One can also foster self-care at the workplace simply by taking your breaks.
As with hardworking individuals, they tend to give their everything into work. They put their heart and soul into every project. They don’t stop, though. They’re always striving for more. However, it is important that these individuals pause to take a break and relax.
Think about it: if you work non-stop, you’re bound to overwork yourself and others at some point! As such, know when you should lift your feet off those pedals. Encourage others to do the same. Keep a lookout for your work friends who seem stressed out or taking up work beyond their bandwidth.
Help to take some of the weight off their shoulders, if and when you can. If you can’t seem to help either, take a break together. It’s highly possible that teammates working together have burned their energy collectively too.
Learning to relax is an important part of the process of prioritising yourself. One needs to acknowledge the fact that he/she is not a machine and needs a break every now and then too. Accepting this fact and taking a chill pill is one other way you can practise the workplace value of self-care at the office!
Actually, care for yourself
The third, but perhaps, the most effective way you can practise the workplace value of self-care is by actually, caring for yourself!
Set aside some time to do things for yourself. Take breaks from work. Practice work-life balance. Invest time in hobbies and activities that are not related to your field of work.
Go on walks and jobs, stretch those muscles every now and then. A sedentary lifestyle isn’t self-care after all. Eat clean and healthy. Be mindful about your lunch and break times. Drink up and hydrate yourself.
Learn to put your own health, mind and body first. You’ll only be able to contribute to work and your team if you yourself are in perfect health. Do that and you’d be practicing the workplace value of self-care in no time!
What's next?
And there you have it – a piece on an absolutely critical workplace value of self-care. We hope the information in this article has helped you get a clearer idea of how you can better practice self-care at the workplace.
Instilling workplace values, like the above, at your office can rake in numerous benefits for every employee. Remember, a little effort can go a long way to ensure a happy and successful workplace for everyone!
Keep a lookout for other workplace values we will be discussing as part of this series soon! Searching for a new workplace that practices these workplace values? On the hunt for a new job?
If you’re on the lookout for jobs within other industries that are nonetheless located in Singapore, here’s an article that shares with you the top 19 job portals in Singapore.
No matter the industry or the position, remember to visit GrabJobs to find a job opportunity in Singapore easily!
