8 Quick and Easy Self-Care Practices for Work

Happy Friday, friends! This is my first week back to work since I attended a 4-day conference last week. The conference was two hours away from home, which meant I was driving four hours each day. Needless to say, I was pretty excited to get back into the swing of things this week.

For those of you who have been keeping up with my posts this week, you know I shared a pretty vulnerable post about how I quit my first job after 10 months. I appreciate everyone’s kind words and feedback! Since I’ve been working at my current job, I’ve gotten much better about making sure I carve out me-time at work. I don’t always get a lot of spare time on the job. There are some days where I have literally 10 minutes to take a break. That’s why I’m celebrating Fri-YAY with some of my favorite quick and easy self-care practices for work. Treat yo’self this week!

[Related: Self-Care Isn’t Selfish: 3 Ways Self-Care Benefits Others

Grab a Latte on your Break

When my coworkers and I are feeling overwhelmed and have a couple minutes, we run down to the coffee shop down the block and grab a cup of coffee. The whole trip takes us no more than 10 minutes, and it’s a great time to slow down, take a deep breath, catch up on our days, and drink something hot and soothing.

 

Keep Chocolate Close By

Did you know that chocolate releases endorphins in your brain, causing you to feel happy quick? Of course you did. That’s why we all love it. I like to keep dark chocolate Hershey Kisses or Dove Chocolates in my desk drawer for a quick pick-me-up. Dove’s Promises are a nice touch too to put me into a positive mindset.

Switch from Coffee to Tea

Nothing makes me feel more stressed than when I’m already struggling with a stressful day and I have the caffeine jitters. That’s why I like to mix it up and switch to tea sometime throughout the day. I’m always cold, so I need hot beverages on hand. Yogi Tea is my favorite, not only because they’re delicious, but because they have such inspiring messages on the tags. Yogi’s Egyptian Licorice is so spicy-sweet and tasty. I buy it several boxes at a time!

Take a Walk

I’m fortunate to work in a little medical park that has a pond and wildlife. When I’m feeling stressed and need some fresh air, I’ll take a quick stroll around the park for 5-10 minutes and take it all in. I practice mindfulness on my walks by paying attention to the sound of the birds or the sun on my skin. It’s one of my favorite quick and easy self-care practices for work because of how quickly I get out of my head.

Listen to Music, Audiobooks, or Podcasts

When I don’t have the time to set aside for myself in the work day, I just incorporate self-care into whatever I’m doing. I have a few playlists on Spotify that help me be productive, amp me up, or calm me down. If I’m not feeling music, I listen to audiobooks or podcasts. These are great for the commute too!

Keep a Cozy Sweater Handy

I’m wrapped up in a blanket right now. If I could spend my whole life in a cozy blanket, I would! But I think I’d get some funny looks at work if I was just nested up at my desk. So instead, I keep a nice long, knitted sweater around. It’s my work-appropriate way of curling up. Plus if I do get chilly, I can always lay it across my lap as a pseudo-blanket!

Take a Mini Spa Break

I keep some of my favorite lotions from Bath and Body Works in my desk drawer for when I need a quick mindful moment. I give myself a quick hand massage and rub the excess lotion on my neck. It’s like a mini pamper sesh right at my desk.

Set an Inspiring Desktop Wallpaper

Having a positive message to see when I log onto my computer makes a huge difference! You can find many great, free desktop wallpapers on Pinterest. I like to download a few of them and have them cycle through so I get a new message every few minutes to keep things fresh.

What are your favorite ways to practice self-care at work? Let me know in the comments!