Put Yourself at the Top of Your To-Do List
In celebration of World Wellbeing Week (a global awareness event set up by Wellbeing World), I asked the ActionCOACH Bury St Edmunds team for their top tips to look after our wellbeing at work.
Read this blog to discover 5 top tips to prioritise your wellbeing at work and how to put them into action.
Our Top Wellbeing at Work Tips
Spend Time Outside and Chase the Sunshine
I recommend spending time outside daily to take a break from the screen, clear your mind and breathe in some fresh air.
My advice is to prioritise spending time outdoors for your mental and physical wellbeing. The sunshine and fresh air can be uplifting and energising. It’s important to find little moments throughout the day to incorporate outdoor activities, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
It doesn’t matter if you go before work, on your lunch break, for a quick coffee, or after dinner – you’re more likely to build the healthy habit if you make it work with your schedule.
I enjoy walking and listening to a podcast in the evenings, or simply sitting in the sun to have lunch in the nearby gardens. When the sun makes an appearance, I adapt my day to make the most of it – this always boosts my mood and I return to work feeling motivated and ready to go!
Summary: Try spending just 10-15 minutes outside for a break during your working day and make a mental note of how it makes you feel.
Prioritise Recharging Activities
Martin recommends prioritising recharging activities at the weekend to help you feel ready to smash a new week.
“Successful individuals are acutely aware of the importance of dedicating their weekends to pursuits that allow them to break away from the routine demands of their professional lives. This often involves engaging in hobbies that allow for creativity such as painting, cooking, or exploring new hobbies that stimulate a different part of the brain than their work does. They also understand the restorative power of simply doing nothing – allowing themselves time to daydream, ponder, or indulge in leisure reading. This strategic downtime is not about laziness but about resetting their mental and emotional state to start the new week with renewed energy and a fresh perspective.”
– Mastering the Weekend: Secrets of the Highly Successful People, Blog by Martin Baillie
Summary: Prioritise a recharging activity of your choice on your day off and notice if you feel more energised when you return to work.
Engage in Physical Activity
Martin reminds us of the importance of engaging in physical activity, especially when we’re sitting down for most of the day!
“We all know how important physical activity is for overall health and well-being, especially for professionals whose work often confines them to a desk for most of the day. Whether it’s a brisk walk in the park, a challenging hike, a yoga session, or a competitive game of tennis, engaging in physical activity helps reduce stress, enhance mood, and boost energy levels. It serves not just as a counterbalance to the sedentary nature of desk jobs but also as a vital component of a successful lifestyle, improving focus and productivity when it’s time to return to work.”
– Mastering the Weekend: Secrets of the Highly Successful People, Blog by Martin Baillie
Summary: Try going for a walk in the park, join a new fitness class or even dance around the kitchen. See if you feel more productive and focused when you’re back at work.
Stay Hydrated
Victoria’s top wellbeing tip is simple but particularly important for our health and wellbeing! Victoria recommends drinking water throughout the day at work to stay hydrated.
Proper hydration has many benefits! Drinking enough water keeps our skin healthy, regulates our body temperature and helps to maintain our cognitive function and energy levels for a productive day! (This is especially important during the scorching summer months!)
-Victoria, Creative PA
Summary: Try switching your tea, coffee, fizzy drink etc. for a refreshing glass of water for a few weeks. Look out for benefits such as glowing skin, more energy and improved productivity.
What I Feel Like Expressing (WIFLE)
At the start of our team meetings, we use “WIFLE” (What I Feel Like Expressing) to give our team members space to share anything they want to with the team. Thoughts can be related to work or personal life and be positive or negative – whatever comes to mind!
This approach allows our team members to share anything that might be affecting their wellbeing to make the team aware and offer support. Sometimes just sharing a thought can help someone to feel relieved. If a team member doesn’t want to express anything, they simply pass onto someone else.
Summary: Try using the “WIFLE” approach at the start of your team meetings and ask your team for feedback on if they found it beneficial.
By incorporating these wellbeing practices into your routine and encouraging your team to do the same, you can create a positive work environment that prioritises mental and physical health.
Wellbeing is an ongoing process that requires consistent effort and attention. By incorporating these top tips into your routine, you can prioritise your wellbeing and lead a more fulfilling work life.
Happy World Wellbeing Week!
Written by Sam Turner (Marketing Co-ordinator)
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