Healthy Monday - Week 20
Self-Care
Welcome back to your Healthy Monday wellness program! This week, we’re looking at ways you can practice self-care.
Try this week’s practice below and then share your feedback about how you did.
Now, more than ever, it’s time to practice self-care and destress on Monday.
Sometimes, we forget the toll that hard work can have on our mind and body. This Monday, disconnect from stress with some quick self-care tactics for a happier you.
It doesn’t matter if you’re at home with kids or working all day, stress happens to everyone. It’s natural to keep trying to fit in ‘just one more task.’ It’s also normal to feel that others are depending on you too much to take a break for yourself.
If you operate with the needle on “E” – empty – for too long, it’s actually counterproductive. Running out of gas helps no one, least of all, you. Instead, take time to fill up with a trove of self-care tactics that will last you a lifetime.
Here are some quick self-care tips you can do right now:
1. Go for a walk – Feel the air, a change in temperature or the warmth of the sun. Look at the clouds.
2. Take a breather anytime, anyplace – Take a pause with some deep breaths. Fill your belly with a good, deep inhale. Hold it for a beat, then exhale slowly and fully. Do this repeatedly for a minute or so, until you feel a sense of calm.
3. Yoga moment – At your desk or in your living room, do some relaxing moves. Try chair yoga or do a quick sun salutation. If you can’t do the whole sequence stand up, reach your arms up to the sun and look at your hands, swan dive with arms out at your sides, then touch your toes – or get as close as you can! Do this a few times, until you feel your body unwind.
4. Water works – Take a warm bath. This is also a way to take a digital break from your phone and/or computer.
5. Call a friend – Catch up and share the latest. This will boost your happiness and it’s a natural way to destress.
6. Sleep! – Here’s the prescription: Go to bed early, read, relax, do some bed yoga, sleep soundly, and wake up refreshed! It’s the perfect medicine for longevity, health, and balance.
Share Your Feedback
Please answer a few quick questions (1 minute) to let us know if you're setting your intention and learning something new. Have a Healthy Monday!
What else is your hospital doing for Healthy Monday?
For staff at Columbia University Irving Medical Center: Get more resources to support this week’s practice from Columbia Work/Life.
For staff at NewYork-Presbyterian: Get more resources to support this week’s practice from NYPBeHealthy (access the supplemental handout here).
Need a quick dose of stress relief? Try our SOS practices:
