In today’s job environment, stress and worry have become more or less par for the course. Being good to ourselves is difficult at the best of times, and it can be really hard to know where to draw the line with work.
In a country that’s still only recovering from an absolutely savage recession (no matter what the news may tell us), a lot of us still have the mindset that we’re extremely lucky to be working at all, and this can really influence how we think and behave far outside of the 9-5 …or the 8-8, for that matter.
This is something that really affects a lot of us, but perhaps isn't discussed a lot.
We put ourselves under an inordinate amount of pressure to do well, to impress the boss, and, of course, to make a better salary. Whilst all of this is no doubt important, all too often we forget to sit back, unwind and take stock.
Be Kind to Yourself
Nobody else is going to do it. Harsh, but true – others might help you in the right direction, but we’re all responsible for our own happiness and wellbeing.
Yoga is really helping me to feel better and keep a more positive frame of mind at the moment, as is more tea and less coffee – still caffeine, I know, but every little helps. Cooking and baking are also surprisingly relaxing, once you keep it simple!
Of course, nothing beats a good nights’ sleep. If you find it difficult to keep a routine, the Sleep Cycle App is brilliant for training yourself into a more regular bedtime habit.
Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail
Without anything nice to look forward to, weeks of work can stretch out in front of us like a grim sentence. It’s important to make nice plans, and they don’t need to cost the earth.
Can’t afford a blow-out holiday? Not to worry – why not look at gig tickets, or even a staycation somewhere closer to home? Airbnb is great for renting a getaway for a few days – once split between a few friends, it’s surprisingly affordable, and you’ll thank yourself for the break!
Perspective is Everything
Something I think about a lot is the fact that when people come to the end of their lives, they never regret not working more. In fact, many regret or at least resent it. Work is not everything. It does not define us as people – our actions do, and in order to be good to others, we need to be good to ourselves.
Deep, but definitely worth reflecting on – as are these wise words from Maya Angelou.
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Deirdre Foley is a history grad, sceptic, wearer of red lipstick and self-confessed 'beauty maniac'. She is also the co-founder of fabulous Irish beauty blog, Viva Adonis.
