Professional & Work Self-Care

What is professional self-care?

Professional self-care means using habits and processes to make your work life sustainable. Professional self-care is also having work experiences that are meaningful, engaging, and fulfilling. We typically think of work as a source of burnout and compassion fatigue, but work can also be a source of fulfillment and self-care.
Professional self-care and meaningful work is associated with:

• Reporting fewer mental issues such as psychological distress, depression, hostility and anxiety.
• Protection against burnout and mental health problems.
• Fewer negative effects of work stress in forms of unhealthy behaviors (such as poor diet, tobacco and alcohol use).
• Better work relationships and collaboration within the workplace.

With good workplace self-care, our jobs benefit our overall well-being: besides providing for our basic needs, it gives a sense of purpose
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Take this small assessment to get you thinking about where you are at with professional self-care:
Ask yourself:

• “Have I found a meaningful career?,”
• “Does my work contribute to my personal growth?,”
• “Does my work make a positive difference in the world, benefit others, or serve my greater purpose?”
• “Is my work life sustainable?”

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Action Steps to Practice Professional Self-Care

Core aspects of Professional Self Care include:

• Self-Actualization
• Healthy Habits
• Social Impact
• Career Advancement
• Autonomy
• Personal Accomplishment
• Equity of meeting personal needs and needs of others​

Here are some tips and tricks:
1. Employee growth and development: Work is about gaining experience, learning new things, interacting with colleagues, expanding one’s horizons. 
2. Look for self-actualization: Find and activate your purpose, values and goals. Try to remember what gives you passion, what makes you feel alive, or talk with your friend about what matters to you in life and career.
3. Practice Healthy Habits: Prioritize healthy eating by packing lunches and snacks, stay hydrated, take regular breaks and incorporate exercise, maintain good posture, and practice stress management technique
4. Does your job feel like you do or can accomplish something significant? If not yet, can you find a way to get your personal accomplish.
5. See if your organization serves the society well and is in line with your own values. If you feel like it isn’t really the case, you may support extra activities in your organization such as volunteering with your team for a good cause, or starting internal program for employee development in the company.
6. Feeling like being part of a community can enhance meaningfulness in doing your work.