Being a leader is demanding, and the stress can lead to burnout. Self-care is the best method to prevent burnout. According to the World Health Organization, self-care is “what people do for themselves to establish and maintain health, and to prevent and deal with illness.” Below are ideas for incorporating self-care into your everyday life. Community self-care. One way to recharge is to help others. Consider volunteering at organizations you support, or take a meal to an elderly or sick neighbor. If you are looking for something you can do solo, you might help at your community garden or take a bag on your walks and pick up trash. Financial self-care. Money woes can be stressful. One way to prevent financial worries is to create a budget. Another is to see a retirement planner, who can offer guidance in working toward a long-range financial goal. Lastly, one way to feel more financially secure is to set up a savings plan that provides a safety net in case you have unexpected expenses. Physical self-care. You can do that by eating nutritious food and exercising daily. Make sure you are getting at least seven hours of sleep per day. Prolonged computer use can lead to fatigue, so make sure to take breaks from your screen. Emotional self-care. Putting a priority on your emotional health is crucial. Don’t put off seeking therapy if necessary. Also, you may need to take an occasional break from social media and electronics with a digital detox. One way to recharge mentally is to learn something new, like taking cooking classes or learning to play the guitar. If you are looking for a way to relieve stress, consider making meditation part of your daily routine. The Blue Cross® Virtual Well-Being team releases new meditation sessions every week. Register for upcoming sessions or find past meditations here. Career self-care. Giving yourself a boost at work can be as simple as updating skills or attending a professional development webinar. Another is to build connections at work, by either seeking a mentor or becoming one. Social self-care. Relationships are important for our emotional health. Make time in your busy schedule to spend with loved ones. This can be as simple as calling a friend. Getting a workout buddy or an adventure buddy is an effective way to combine physical activities with social activities. Being there for others is important, so it’s essential to honor the commitments you make to other people. Learn more about basic self-care for leaders and ways to put this into action in this Blue Cross® Virtual Well-Being webinar. You can also sign up for future employer-focused and general interest webinars here, where you’ll find past sessions and resources. Related:
- Leaders and Mindfulness: It Can Be Done
- Introducing Mindfulness at Your Workplace
- Leading with Happiness
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