Prepare the Others: Self-Care 101
We’ve all felt this feeling at one moment in professional work history: The sinking feeling in the morning after your alarm goes off.
“I should just take PTO today I’m not sick, I just don’t feel like going in.”
**Snooze alarm goes off minutes later**
“Ugh I’ll just go in. I don’t have a good enough excuse to call in.”
What excuse? Why do we subconsciously treat PTO like a school letter from our parents? Why do we feel like the personal time off that was given has to be rationalized internally before we finally decide to use it?
Half of the people reading this might have already responded or said aloud, “I take my PTO!” And if you do, that’s wonderful and I hope you continue to do so! If you take PTO from your job but only use it to complete your and your children’s doctor’s appointments, I want you to keep reading.
To minimize burnout, I strongly encourage my clients to become mindful of their emotional capacity by tuning in to what they’re feeling mentally and physically before dragging themselves out of bed and to the office or computer (Yes, remote workers deserve errand-free PTO too).
Burnout looks differently among different people, but some common indicators are:
increased irritability
fatigue, even after a full night’s rest
decreased motivation
difficulty falling or staying asleep
feeling overwhelmed emotionally
“What does burnout have to do with PTO?” If you're aware of how low your capacity levels are, then taking your “True PTO” in the middle of the week is an act of self-care that you can commit to that can minimize burnout, or replenish your energy if you're at the point of exhaustion. This means taking a day off of work and not stuffing your day with errands, chores, and odd jobs around the house.
“Okay, sounds good, but what if my employer doesn’t allow same-day call-ins from work? Or what if I have a presentation or audit that I can’t get out of?” Plan your PTO. Yes, even if you're not going out of town. Your mind and body deserve a break even when you're not able to change your scenery!
Some things to do during your True Personal Time Off:
Take a walk- If the weather permits, just a walk to the mailbox can boost your mood and create a different space for your mind to decompress.
Take a nap or just rest- give yourself permission to lounge around on the bed or the couch without feeling guilty.
Move your body for at least 30 minutes- Whether it’s targeted exercise, dancing in the living room, or playing a sport, give your mind and body an adrenaline boost and allow extra time for rest and recovery.
Indulge in your favorite hobby- Yes, this includes catching up on your TV shows if applicable. Read a book, color, or whatever you wouldn’t be able to do if you were at work.
Treat yourself to a mini-spa day at home- Put on the facial mask, the exfoliating peel, or any other skin care step that you may not typically commit to on a daily or weekly basis.
The next time you wake up feeling conflicted about taking a day off, check in with yourself first before getting ready for work- your body may be telling you to indulge in self-care! ☀️