11 Feb Workplace Wellness
With the New Year upon us, it’s a great time to look inward and give ourselves some extra care and attention. At this often busy time of the year, it’s important to remind ourselves to switch off and recharge. Solar Springs Life Coach, Paul Cox believes we need to view relaxing not as a luxury, but as a necessity.
Here at Double Edge we also acknowledge the importance of balance and keeping our health in-check. We’ve put together some top tips from our wellbeing client, Solar Sprigs, to help maintain your wellness while working in a fast-paced industry.
- Move your body. Incorporating exercise into your daily routine is essential for both your physical and mental health. “Performing a short burst of exercise such as a quick walk around the block, or even a fun physical activity with your children can be a great way to feel recharged,” says Paul Cox. Maintaining a healthy diet and drinking lots of water goes hand in hand with exercise to keep your stress levels at bay.
- Be a team player. Doing a weekly activity with your colleagues is a great way to maintain a positive work ethic and bond with your team. At Double Edge we do yoga every Wednesday, which is not only a great social activity, but it also helps us return to the office with a fresh mind.
- Acknowledge your efforts. Sometimes, when your to-do list is overwhelming, it’s easy to forget to take a step back and acknowledge your hard work. Taking the time once a week to acknowledge your achievements is positive activity for your wellbeing. “Too often people get exhausted because they forever focus on the next thing to do, never satisfied with what they have done and expecting perfection from themselves,” says Paul Cox.
- Relax the body. Take a few minutes each day to relax. Meditation is a great way to do this but you can also achieve relaxation by stretching or listening to some calming music. “You don’t have to get caught up in any complex methods or doing it perfectly (thoughts will pop in), simply follow your breathing in and out of your body, or as you exhale focus on a simple word such as ‘calm’. As thoughts come in, observe them and just return back to your breathing and/or word,” advises Paul Cox.
- Take a break. Ensuring you always take a lunch break is essential for recharging. Whether it’s going for a 10 minute walk up the road or reading your favourite book, taking a break helps you return to the office with clarity and the extra motivation to tackle your afternoon tasks. For those working in an office environment, giving your eyes a regular break from the screen and getting up to stretch your body during the day is also beneficial.
- Be kind to yourself.Do something nice for yourself such as watching a movie or listening to your favourite music without feeling guilty for doing it. Making sure you put time aside for your interests and hobbies is also important for maintaining your work-life balance.
- Have some fun. Laughter is truly the best medicine as it decreases stress hormones and triggers the release of endorphins. “When you have lots to do there is often a part of us that is craving some fun. You need to feed this part. Do something spontaneous that gives you a sense of enjoyment rather than just focusing on the next item on your to do list,” says Paul Cox.
- Plan ahead. Having something to be excited about is a great way to recharge mentally, so book yourself in! “It could be a massage, a manicure, a weekend away or a family holiday. Always have at least one thing to look forward to,” says Paul Cox.
For more information on switching off and recharging, visit wellness experts, Solar Springs here. We wish everyone a relaxing, purposeful and stress-free 2016.