6 Ways You Can Practice Self-Care to Increase Productivity

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6 Ways You Can Practice Self-Care to Increase Productivity

Self-care has become an important part of everyone’s life in recent years. But this particular trend gained even more popularity amidst the pandemic. Many people utilized self-care as a way to take charge of both their physical and emotional well-being. In the pursuit of comprehensive self-care, individuals often seek out professional services to address their health needs. Finding the best dentist in Las Vegas NV became a priority for many, as oral health became a crucial component of overall well-being during these challenging times.

Eight aspects of self-care include: emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social, and spiritual. By addressing these different aspects of self-care you can promote better productivity.

Those who have different self-care traditions may feel relaxed and ready to take challenges head-on after their personal practices. This can do wonders for keeping you mentally and physically healthy while also addressing any issues you may have with your productivity.

What causes unproductivity

The causes of unproductivity can vary from person to person but most of the time, it is brought on by mental factors such as stress, anxiety, and exhaustion.

This is even more prevalent during the pandemic when, at its peak, 75% of workers felt overwhelmed when doing their tasks. It leads to workers becoming more impulsive which can not only lead to a slower pace but also a subpar quality of work. Other factors like an un-conductive environment and body aches can lead to unproductivity.

Because mental and physical well-being factors into our overall productivity, there are numerous self-care habits you can develop to address the problem. This will not only put you in a better disposition, but some tactics may also improve your cognitive function and alleviate any pains and aches you are experiencing. Small acts of self-care can be done at home or in your office to improve your well-being.

How you can use self-care to become more productive

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1. Start your day right

How you feel as soon as you begin your day can dictate your disposition well into the night.

Having good morning habits can help you start on a positive note. For example, waking up early will give you enough time to fully collect yourself and get ready without feeling rushed.

Starting your day with some cardio will also boost your happiness since exercise has been proven to improve mood (as well as physical health).

Eating a healthy breakfast will also fuel you for the hours of work you have ahead of you.

Self-care should start as soon as you open your eyes to ensure that you are in a good mindset to handle different challenges you might face in your job.

2. Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a kind of meditation that focuses on being more aware of yourself and your surroundings.

When you are feeling overwhelmed, meditation is a great way to ground yourself and recognize areas of unproductivity.

In fact, studies have shown that mindfulness in the workplace improves employees’ mental health, overall well-being, and performance.

When you are starting to feel stressed, take a moment to focus on your breathing and re-centering your attention.

Short bursts of meditation will calm your nerves, making you more relaxed and productive in the process.

3. Create a to-do list

When tasks pile up, people have a tendency to feel stressed and anxious because all they see is the big picture. But, if you look closely, you might realize that you actually have less on your plate.

To avoid dreading the work ahead of you, create a to-do list of all the tasks you have to accomplish.

Start on the hardest or most important task first before ending with the easiest. This will allow you to take on tasks step-by-step and help you understand which responsibilities can be saved for a later date so you won’t end up overworking yourself.

This self-care strategy can be done on days when your tasks pile up or when you don’t want to stretch yourself too thin.

Creating a to-do list will streamline your work and make you more efficient.

4. Do some stretches

Desk workers know all too well that the job can come with some aches– especially if you are sitting down for most of the day.

The constant strain on your lower back, neck, shoulders, and eyes can cause a lot of pain and can easily prevent you from being more productive.

Luckily, there are different stretches that you can do if you are suffering from this.

Every once in a while, try standing and puffing your chest out. This will relieve some tension on your back and get your blood circulating to your legs again. Cocking your head to one side can also stretch the muscles in your neck and shoulders, addressing the pain there.

Stretching is a great way to take care of your body while also helping your mind focus better.

5. Take breaks

When you are stressed, stepping away from your desk for a few minutes can be just the thing you need to get your head right again. Go for a coffee or find a spot outside where you can breathe in some fresh air.

If you have been overwhelmed for a prolonged period of time, consider taking a vacation. This will allow you to take ample amounts of rest to recharge your mind.

When you are overworked, the quality of your outputs may suffer, causing even more stress. Unfortunately, too many workers don’t take off enough leave, especially in the modern WFH set-up, with one survey finding that “globally 40 percent of respondents who worked remotely were reluctant to take time off when they were sick.” Utilize your paid time off to give yourself a much-needed rest so you can come back as a better and more focused employee.

Be sure to turn off all work notifications when you are on leave so you can really concentrate on taking care of yourself.

6. Reward yourself

It’s no secret that the mind thrives on incentives in order to get things done efficiently and diligently. Rewarding yourself for the hard work you put in will make you more productive since it gives you a reason to finish your tasks.

For small victories, try treating yourself to a nice meal or buying that piece of clothing you’ve been eyeing for a while.

For bigger wins, get yourself something nicer. The reward should always reflect the work you put in to achieve it.

Self-care is all about making yourself happy so it’s not harmful to satisfy some of your wishes– especially if you’ve earned it.

And remember, self-care isn’t just about material rewards. Sometimes, taking the time to have a salon treatment can be incredibly rejuvenating. However, it’s crucial to be aware of the products being used, considering recent concerns like the hair relaxer cancer lawsuit. Prioritize your well-being in every aspect of self-care.

Final Thoughts

Unproductivity can be countered by making sure that you are in the best mental and physical shape possible.

Self-care is just one of the ways to achieve that.

Use some of the tactics on this list the next time you feel like you are lacking efficiency and need to get work done.