This is my last in the series on the environment and its impact on your life and career.  One essential aspect of the environment that is not discussed or practiced enough is the emotional part. The emotional environment is a measure of your feelings and energy that promotes well-being and stability.  I see this aspect of the environment as essential throughout your life, as it has a lasting impact on your long-term health and success.  

What type of environment have you created within your life? Your emotional environment needs to have a solid physical and social foundation. Creating and nurturing those two aspects will provide a stable foundation to build a positive and energetic social environment. You will not always have a positive outcome as you encounter challenges and obstacles, but one way to help minimize your energetic and emotional swings is to take care of yourself physically and have a daily routine. I am at my best by having a routine in the morning and throughout the day centered on self-care. 

So, is self-care necessary in achieving a positive social environment? I believe it is. If you can focus on yourself, you can make sure you are in a good place mentally and spiritually.  How do you practice self-care to maintain or improve your social environment? I have a few ideas on how to do accomplish it effectively.

Why Self-Care is So Important

Here Are 3 Ways You Can Practice Self-Care

While there are multiple ideas, thoughts, and methods to practice self-care, sometimes it’s best to keep it simple. Here are three ways to consistently care for yourself, all manageable and achievable.

1. Reduce your stress by focusing on yourself.

It may seem like a trivial concept to always take care of yourself, but it’s too easy to get overly dedicated to your work. Sometimes people feel like they need to put their superiors, colleagues, friends, and family before themselves. That can lead to excessive stress!

Give yourself some personal time at work, such as a lunch hour. Stay organized, so you don’t always have someone telling you what to do. Most importantly, do not sacrifice anything in your professional life that you would not sacrifice at home. Maintaining a balanced environment is key to minimizing stress.

2. Value your relationships – friends, family, and colleagues.

One of the most effective self-care techniques is to value your relationships. Your friends, family, and colleagues are essential in looking after you. They make up part of your identity and serve as a point of consistency when things change. They are essential for relieving stress – things feel better when you talk it out with others! 

3. Create a well-balanced life

Creating and maintaining a well-balanced life comes with some essential benefits, especially as it helps reduce stress and prevents burnout. A balanced life requires commitment and flexibility. While you need to take control over certain parts of your life, there are also things that you will need to let go.  Now is the time to focus on releasing the long-accumulated stress and building a healthier mindset.

That means the following:

• Letting go of non-priorities.
• Building boundaries.
• Prioritizing for successful results.
• Practicing mindfulness to be more present.
• Clearing your mind to create more space to think creatively.

Tips for maintaining an excellent work-life balance:

• Take some personal time off. You have every right to do it.
• Never skip taking regular routine breaks.
• Exercise and maintain a healthy diet. A healthy brain needs a healthy body.
• Spend time with your loved ones.
• Go on vacation yearly.
• Always follow your passions.

Maintain a Self-Care Routine in Your Life to Achieve the Success You Deserve

Successfully carrying out self-care involves building a routine that includes the above practices. Self-care should be part of your everyday habits, so when challenging assignments or moments show up, you will be better prepared to take them on. If you cannot schedule self-care, it may be time to have a chat with your superiors about opening opportunities to include self-care in your daily practice.

After all, it is you who matters most!