
Do the two sit side-by-side?
It feels counterintuitive. Setting aside time for self-care in our schedule totally detracts from the crucial hours we have available for work. However, it’s becoming more and more evident that the reality is quite the opposite.
Perhaps you are familiar with:
“I just need to get through this period, then I can rest”
“I can’t wait for the weekend, things will calm down a bit then”
“It feels like I’m close to/beyond capacity. I’m going to grit my teeth, grab my sword, fasten my helmet, and take it on. It will feel good when it’s over”
“I feel like I’m in a video game, I can’t stop or I’ll lose my advantage”
“I’ve got a week’s leave in the diary in a couple of months, I can stop then”
And perhaps you are also familiar with the experience of suddenly becoming sick when you take a break. Or being so mentally and emotionally exhausted that when you do take some time off, your output resembles the polar opposite, literally incapable or unwilling to achieve anything.
Why do we do this?
Continuous and relentless activity, pushing ourselves to our very limits, can often be celebrated, like a badge of honour. High activity equals high value, which speaks to our self-image and worth.
Humans are driven by immediacy, dealing with what’s directly in front of us, with little thought given to strategy. It stems from the origins of our species when our one driving purpose was survival.
An inability to say ‘No’ to requests. Perhaps because we lack the skills required; Feeling uncomfortable with the idea of conflict; Not wanting to seem ‘difficult’, ‘unhelpful’, or ‘lacking commitment’. Again, all examples of external feedback that feeds our sense of self-esteem.
A need to control our environment. We might find ourselves ill-equipped when it comes to capacity (or capability). But, if we own the activity, it feeds our desire for safety or the power to direct our environment, rather than be controlled by other influences.
The dangers of occasional self-care
The cumulative effects of an ‘episodic’ approach to self-care (full-on productivity until an eventual break, or we break, then full-on again!) are well documented.
A helpful example is to imagine driving a vehicle along a motorway while remaining in first gear: it’s possible but deeply damaging to the gearbox, promotes engine overheat, and accelerates wear on multiple other components. Eventually the vehicle goes for a well-deserved service, but the fundamental components are degraded beyond the benchmark expectation, and little can be done to reverse the damage. Fun!
The benefits of routine self-care
- Improved Focus and Concentration (via a recharge of our mental and emotional batteries) leading to higher-quality output in less time.
- Enhanced Creativity (via engaging different parts of our brain or exploring new experiences) leading to innovative solutions and ideas.
- Stress Reduction. Chronic stress impairs cognitive function and productivity. Self-care helps to reduce stress hormones like cortisol, allowing you to think more clearly and perform better.
- Better Physical Health. Self-care habits like exercise and proper nutrition boost our physical health and increases our energy levels and resilience.
- Emotional Resilience. Self-care isn’t just about preventing burnout, it’s also about nurturing our emotional fulfilment, which acts as a positive buffer against inevitable challenges and setbacks we encounter in our work.
- Improved Relationships: Self-care might involve nurturing our social connections. Strong social support networks provide emotional support which indirectly boosts our productivity by weathering the tougher times and staying motivated.
How do we accommodate self-care in a high-productivity environment?
Integrating self-care without sacrificing productivity requires intentional planning and commitment:
- Scheduling: Treat self-care activities as non-negotiable appointments in your schedule. Allocate specific time slots for activities like exercise, brain-rest, physical relaxation and connection with others. Get some movement and fresh air early in the day, and hold yourself to it.
- Boundaries: Set clear boundaries around your work time to prevent abusing or over-reaching your capacity. This might involve setting a specific start or end time for work, or turning off work notifications during evenings and weekends.
- Prioritise: Identify high-value (important) activity that contributes most to your objectives. Focus on what truly matters and learn to manage expectations without sacrificing productivity.
- Time Blocking: Dedicate blocks of time to specific tasks or types of activities. Ensure that you allocate time for both productivity and personal well-being. Know when your skills are at their sharpest.
- Micro Self-Care: Integrate small practices into your routine. This is as simple as taking short breaks to stretch, practicing deep breathing, or enjoying a snack to refuel your body.
- Optimise The Environment: Design a work environment that supports self-care by minimising distractions, optimising posture, and creating a clear and uncluttered workspace. Ignite your productivity via your senses by adding plants, playing focused music, opening windows or promoting well-being via aromas.
- Be Mindful: Stay present and focused on one task at a time. No-one can multitask, we just do a lot of jobs quite badly! This increases stress and decreases productivity.
- Delegate and Outsource: You really don’t have to do everything yourself. Just because you’ve always done it, or can do it faster or, in your opinion, better, doesn’t mean you are best placed to do it. By freeing up time and mental bandwidth, you can incorporate activities that recharge and rejuvenate you.
The link between productivity and self-care is profound and often underestimated. Ultimately, productivity isn’t just about how many hours you put in or how much you can accomplish in a day—it’s about working smartly and sustainably. Self-care isn’t a luxury, and certainly doesn’t solely exist in the yoga studio or a mindfulness retreat. It’s a vital component of productivity where we invest in our long-term capacity to excel in all aspects of our lives.
Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s an essential investment in your long-term health, capability, and productivity.
Talk to us to find out about how we can support you to elevate your productivity.