We spend about one-third of our lives working, which equates to approximately 90,000 hours over a 50-year span. Even more unsettling, 70% of us are not fully engaged with our careers.
Perhaps it’s time for a professional foundation shake, or maybe it’s a matter of integrating more well-being into your workflow.
If you’re feeling short on career fulfillment, start with some quality self-care and workplace wellness.
Don’t quit your daydream.
Pivoting your feet to explore a new path is a powerful tool for self-growth. You never know, your brainchild could transform into a small business, social enterprise or a weekend farmers’ market booth.
Map out time in the early AM or evening to pick away at your passion project. Get inspired by these 5 strategies to turn a passion from a side project into your primary career.
Reclaim your mornings.
Ease into the day by doing something that nourishes your body and spirit, while calibrating your mind to embrace a challenge and deflect negativity.
Setting up your mind for the workday – or before a big meeting – is a valuable practice in grounding. A typical morning ritual might include brushing your teeth, combing your hair, deciding what to wear, but do we really prepare the mind? Even 5 minutes of sitting meditation can have significant effects on stress and wellbeing.
Consider a standing desk.
Midday slump got you down? Consider a standing workstation. Standing desks come at a moderate investment, but the benefits far outweigh the cost of sitting (aka, the new smoking).
Studies show that sit-stand desks can promote cardio-metabolic benefits and greater task engagement. Check out VariDesk and AnthroDesk for inspiration, or merely source a desk/table that aligns ergonomically with your standing posture.
Take micro-breaks.
Short, healthy reprieves from the daily grind not only boost productivity, they also help to offset ‘decision fatigue’ or brain burnout. According to some studies, mini breaks help spark creativity and elicit those ‘aha’ moments. A mindful break serves to migrate brain activity to another area, which can renew focus and replenish our mental resources.
For a gentle reminder to take breaks, check out these apps:
- Awareness (if you like the sound of a Tibetan Singing Bowl)
- Stretchly (if you could use a nudge to stretch)
- Outstanding (if you feel stuck at your desk)
- Unhook (if you could benefit from reduced screen time)
Inspire wellness in your workspace.
How lovely was it when someone dropped off a batch of bliss balls to share in the office (or your doorstep)? Or has this not happened yet? Well, here’s a chance to be the change you wish to see in your workplace.
Sharing a simple nutrient-dense snack recipe with your co-workers will lift both spirits and blood sugar levels. Another act of working kindness is plugging in a diffuser with energizing oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus, citrus and rosemary or popping by the office to water the plants.
Sleep AND sunshine.
Getting at least 15-20 minutes of direct sunlight midday (i.e. not from a window, but preferably outside) can do wonders for our sleep cycle. Sleep is integral to sustaining an alert, productive workflow. #Relate?
While we need sleep to do our work well, there’s also the struggle of losing sleep because of work stress (i.e. work-related insomnia). Negative work vibes can really disrupt our snooze time. Gazing at the big picture, rest and sunshine – and choosing work that aligns with our core values – are cosmic contributing factors to overall wellness.
The 4-hour workweek model might seem like a distant, utopian dream, but we can still ensure the other 36+ hours of our work week are purposeful and fulfilling.
