Compassionate Self-Care In Any Context
Continuing this week’s focus on practicing self-compassion by addressing mental health concerns that arise in the workplace (and/or beyond, especially if you are someone who our present, unprecedented circumstances have caused to be out of work at present), today we’re considering self-care methodologies that are surefire ways to provide yourself with moments of respite. If you’re currently down in the dumps, it can be easy to feel like you don’t deserve kindness. But we encourage you to treat yourself kindly, exercising the same sort of compassion that you’d extend to all of your colleagues. Though the tips from the pros that we’re highlighting below won’t magically change the world overnight, they’ll allow you to achieve a feeling of relief in these tumultuous times.
We appreciate this quick, easy, and free method for mood boosting from Kenya McCullum at Learn to Become: “Drink water. People who are suffering from anxiety and depression often neglect basic self-care activities, including drinking water. Staying hydrated at work can go a long way toward helping people concentrate and stay centered, which may reduce the effects of stressors in the office.” We keep mentioning this suggestion because we need to remind ourselves, too! If you’re reading this, pause what you’re doing and take a sip of water. Also consider other activities you may have allowed to fall by the wayside: for instance, have you eaten yet today? Staying properly hydrated and fueled will help boost your mood. If you’re struggling to attend to these tasks, don’t feel ashamed–when you’re struggling with mental health, these small tasks can seem like huge obstacles. Our job is to serve as your cheerleaders, to offer you friendly reminders and insights. And today, as your cheerleaders, we’d like to remind you that you have the strength to drink some water. Please do so!
The pros at Beyond Blue also offer up a tip to help you exert a bit of agency amidst our current, chaotic circumstances: “Set boundaries for ‘me time’. Put some time in your planner to recharge and not think about work. Turn your phone or emails off during that time to allow yourself to have a proper break and pursue something that will help you unwind. This should be a daily thing – whether it’s time for family, friends, exercise or watching TV.” Just like making a to do list, setting up a schedule will also allow you to break down nebulous entities into manageable, concrete increments. Setting a reminder on your phone to take time for yourself can also help provide you with an extra push to actually engage in an activity that brings you joy. Don’t worry about feeling indulgent. We know that even if you are currently unemployed, there are still job-hunting tasks and other chores that you’ve needed to attend to. You may not feel like you’re allowed to have fun. But you are! So, please don’t punish yourself. Instead, let yourself do something you love. Doing so will provide you with an extra boost to help you keep going, within your workplace or beyond, and enable you to practice compassion to all those you encounter along the way.
If you’ve made it this far, stop what you’re doing and take another drink of water. Now, welcome back! Throughout difficult periods (and now is an especially difficult period in time) it can be easy to forget to prioritize your needs. Making sure you’re hydrated and fed is the first step in pulling yourself out of a bad mood. Once you’ve met those basic needs, make sure you’re also taking time to unwind, to rest and recharge, and to put some mental distance between you and whatever it is that is upsetting you. It’s more than okay to turn off the news for a bit, and to instead put on a fun TV program or some music to dance to. Leaning into what brings you cheer will help keep you going, and is a great way to practice compassionate self-care. Join us again tomorrow as we finish off the week on a positive note with our Feel Good Friday: Compassion edition.
Image retrieved from Pixabay under the public domain.
This posting is brought to you by Contemporaries Inc., one of the best temp agencies in Boston MA. Also available for payrolling employees in Boston and Greater Boston
Recent Posts
Employers Have Choices Too! Part Two of Three Part Series
Staffing choices can have massive ramifications to a public or private organization. Hiring the wrong individual may cost a company millions while making a great hire could lead to a vast increase in profits as well as other invaluable benefits such as positive brand...
Employers Have Choices Too! Part One of Three Part Series
Decades ago, public and private organizations turned to staffing firms mainly to fill temporary gaps when full-time employees were out, a project required more staff, or to help an employer catch up with day to day operations. Employees could find themselves working...
Starting and Leaving a Job Professionally is Crucial For Long Term Success
In today’s market, unlike in past years, there are many new and unique work opportunities for job seekers. Previously, individuals would have to “pay their dues” before moving up the success ladder. That is not the case today in the Greater Boston area as well as the...
Secrets to Snagging a Contract Opportunity And a Better Career Future
Very few people are able to secure their dream job or even a regular position as soon as they graduate from high school, vocational school, or higher ed. Unless your degree is from an ivy league university or you are someone who has worked in a particular field...
A Thank You to Contemporaries CEO Donna Fitzgerald (From The Staff)
On February 2, 1998 Contemporaries, Inc. quietly celebrated its 24th year anniversary. The Boston-based staffing firm began as the vision of President and CEO Donna Fitzgerald who spent a decade in the industry before launching her own small business. Rather than...
Designing A Successful Resume: Build It, Send It, Land It (The Job!)
The first thing you’ll hear as a Contemporaries job seeker, when posing the question, “How do I get a job?” is start by sending your resume. This is the initial step. Then, as some of you reading this may know, we check with our team on jobs we are tasked with filling...
On Tolerance
It goes without saying that our current world is filled with many prisms and perspectives. Most workplaces are filled with diverse individuals who come from different backgrounds and bring with them various beliefs, opinions, and ideologies. While you may see...
New Year, New Thoughts: Simple Substitutions For a Successful 2022
We made it to January. January 2022. Although we suspect The Holidays brought quality family time and joy to many of you, the Contemporaries Team also recognizes the stress of the immediate world and wishes to take a moment to release you from the pressure of...
It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of Year To…Stream Holiday Movies!
It’s hard to believe that Christmas, and the Holiday Season are upon us already. It’s been quite a challenging few weeks for many, and our team at Contemporaries, Inc., wishes you a healthy and happy holiday season, no matter what you’re celebrating. So, we are going...
Progress Not Perfection: How To Navigate New Year Resolutions
As the year winds down (didn’t it seem to just fly by?) it becomes natural and societally encouraged to reflect on the last 365 days, as well as goals for the New Year. While these reflections can often feel forced and can come with undue pressure (think New Year’s...
Thanksgiving: An Ode To Gratitude
It’s that time of year again. Thanksgiving. No matter the connotations associated with this holiday, it is undoubtedly one that brings family together, is a pause in one’s working life, and a time - if you are lucky - for reflection, and safe hibernation. And, it’s...
The Limitations Of A Resume & How We Can Help!
In this modern employment climate, resumes are unfortunately no longer enough to land a job. This statement holds true even if you have a stellar one! Why? Well, they are easy to replicate, there is a strong candidate pool, and resumes don't always do enough to...
Trick Or Treat! Come & Change Your Thoughts With Me!
It’s almost that time of year again! Boo! While many of you are eagerly awaiting a weekend Halloween party, putting the final touches on your child’s costume, or stocking up on candy, we thought we’d create a new tradition honoring one of our favorite holidays. We’d...
Motivation Monday
Mondays can be tough. We’ve all experienced the “Sunday Scaries”. After all, the night before a work week can prove anxious. So, what can we do to relax, and get prepared? How does one show up alert, enthused, and rested? How does one set a positive tone for the week?...