Friday

We made it to Friday! As we cruise into the weekend:

• Caring for yourself when you're feeling overworked

• Ideas to practice self-care at work

• Take advantage of your Amazon Prime perks

• How connecting with your inner self can benefit your job

How to Care for Yourself When You're Feeling Overworked

From time-to-time, we may all put in some extra hours or go the extra mile at work.

However, when it becomes an extreme — and it happens frequently or to such a degree that we feel exhausted — we may reach a point where we feel overworked.

This is when self-care becomes extra important. Self-care is always important, but in seasons when you may feel stressed and like you already don't have a lot of time, it should be an even bigger priority!

• Lean on your team: Whether it's in the office or at home, this is not the time to put everything on yourself. Don't be afraid to ask for help!

• Make time for breaks: Even if it's just escaping to the bathroom for a few moments, taking a short walk around the block outside, or taking a longer lunch, this is the perfect way to get a brief recharge.

• Set and keep boundaries: This is critical, as you need to ensure you're not spreading yourself so thin that you completely burn out.

• Schedule fun and relaxation into your day: When we make self-care an add-on, we're much more likely to put it on the back burner. Put it on your calendar as a non-negotiable!

• Know your limits: Remember that you don't have to — and shouldn't — do it all. You are only human, and it's okay to say "no"!

• Prioritize basic needs: Ensure you're eating regular meals, sleeping, staying hydrated, showering, etc. This will help ensure you have a good foundation to accomplish everything you need to get done.

Ideas to Practice Self-Care at Work

Self-care doesn't have to be reserved for when you get home. It's a constant practice that you can bring everywhere — including work.

Here are a few ways you can incorporate some self-care into your workday:

• Get up and move: Especially if you work a desk job, taking a few moments to stretch your muscles, walk around, or grab a drink of water is a great way to connect with your body.

• Watch your eyes: Eye strain can be a real pain. Make it a point to look at something at least 20 feet away every 20 minutes for 20 seconds. This is also known as "20-20-20."

• Make a morning and evening routine: This is a great way to get your mind in the right place to start and wrap up your day, and create some separation between work and home.

• Take sick, personal, and vacation days: You deserve to rest. Time off is there for a reason, and it will only feel worse in the long run if you don't take that time to care for yourself!

• Tap into environmental self-care: Tidy up your desk and bring in some little trinkets or other decor that make you feel at peace. This could include a diffuser, pictures of your pets or family, or anything else that makes you feel happy!

Get the Most out of Amazon Prime

Are you taking advantage of your Amazon Prime perks? Whether you’re already a Prime member or considering signing up, here are 10 Prime member benefits you should be using!

Once upon a time we had to make lists with paper and pen and physically go to stores when we needed things. Sometimes we’d have to go to several stores or even shopping malls for what we needed. Then one day, out of the heavens, came Amazon. For many of us, the free shipping perk and access to exclusive shows and movies is enough reason to fork over the $14.99 per month to get Prime. But if those reasons haven't been enough to entice you to join Prime, maybe some of these lesser-known incentives will tempt you to sign up. Here are 10 of those perks.

Thank you to Brad’s Deals for sponsoring Note To Self. 

How Connecting With Your Values and Inner Self Can Help You at Work

For some people, spirituality is religious. However, it isn't always — generally, it's a connection with something bigger than ourselves.

This can apply to practically every area of our lives — our communities, families, connection to the planet, and even work.

Research shows that spirituality in the workplace is becoming increasingly important. It can help shape our behaviors positively, and from the inside out.

In the workplace, this connection with our values and how they align with the world around us can manifest in how we approach our jobs, feel a sense of fulfillment, and engage with our teams.

In short, when we tap into the things we care about, it can remind us of our "why." This doesn't mean every job has to be your dream job. In fact, you don't even have to love your job. (But it's great if you do!)

Regardless, this form of connection with our values can also remind us that our job allows us to do other things that we do feel more aligned with — which is a powerful feeling!

A Note From Us

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ True or False: False! "Decent work" can empower us with a sense of livelihood, purpose and achievement, routine, and more!

• 🙋🏼‍♀️ Snapshot Of The Day: We'd love to see moments from our readers lives that they are proud of! If you recently accomplished an achievement, experienced a joyful moment, or are proud of a picture you have taken, be sure to capture it on camera and send it to us for a chance to be featured next week! 

• 💭 Final Self-Care Thoughts for Today: Many of us spend 40+ hours a week at work, so it's important to care for ourselves while we're there!

Enjoying Note to Self?

Know of a great self-care tip or article you'd love to share with the community? Want to send us pictures of you completing one of your self-care rituals? Email us at [email protected]!