Paul Petrone* says taking time for your own wellness may seem like a decision to deprioritise your work, but in fact, taking care of yourself is one of the most selfless things you can do.
Photo: Jeremy Thomas
So what does wellness at work mean?
It can almost feel indulgent, right?
Taking time for your own wellness feels like a decision to deprioritise your work, your family and your commitments.
The reality?
It’s the exact opposite.
Only by taking care of yourself first can you serve everyone else better, including the organisation you work for.
Taking care of yourself is actually one of the most selfless things you can do.
And that’s really what wellness at work is all about.
What does wellness at work look like?
Good question.
Ultimately, you know your mind and your body better than anyone.
So really, it means being in tune with them, so you can address issues proactively.
But, a few factors worth considering are:
Movement matters.
There’s overwhelming evidence that exercising doesn’t just help you stay fit — it also helps you focus better at work and increases your overall happiness.
And that doesn’t mean running 10 km a day.
Even a 30-minute walk four times a week makes a big difference.
Working longer doesn’t mean better results.
Research from Harvard University shows that people who work more than 50 hours a week are less effective than people who work between 35 and 50 hours.
The secret is really doing fewer things, better.
Sleeping makes a big difference.
Professional athletes are increasingly focusing on sleep to improve performance.
The same logic applies to all of us — research shows getting a good night’s rest helps us focus and think more strategically.
Plus, we are easier to be around.
Taking vacations is actually good for your paycheque.
Here’s a fascinating stat — one study found that people who took more vacation time got promoted more often than people who took less.
Taking time off doesn’t just make you feel better, it gives you the mental freedom to be more strategic at work.
Meditation really helps.
The scientific research supporting meditation is staggering — it’s been found to increase focus, decrease anxiety, improve performance, etc.
And a caveat for anyone who thinks this is some new-age trend: meditation is thousands of years old and practised by religions across the globe.
The takeaway
So, what does wellness at work really mean?
It means taking time for yourself.
It means being present in the moment.
It means effectively managing stress.
All of that will make you happier and healthier.
And, as if that isn’t reason enough, it’ll improve your job performance, too.
* Paul Petrone is Editor of LinkedIn Learning and can be contacted at www.linkedin.com/in/paulpetrone.
This article first appeared at learning.linkedin.com.
