Did you know? On average, a person spends more than one-third of their day, 5 days a week, at work!
Self-care is important to weave throughout the day, including at work. Take a little time throughout the day to prioritize yourself.
It can:
- Help reduce stress
- Prevent chronic disease
- Help you maintain a healthy lifestyle
The National Wellness Institute promotes Six Dimensions of Wellness. These dimensions are interconnected and focusing on all areas of wellness can help us achieve our full potential.
Prioritize Worksite Wellness
Try these ideas to boost your wellness level for each dimension:
Emotional & Mental Well-Being
Get in the zone with a positive state of mind.
The emotional health dimension means you’re feeling good in your mind and your body. You feel safe and able to cope, with a sense of connection with people and your community.
Try this:
- Ask for help
- Practice deep breathing for at least 5 minutes each day
- Keep a daily gratitude journal
Intellectual Well-Being
Your mind needs exercise, too! Flex your brain.
The intellectual dimension recognizes the need to expand your knowledge, skills, and creative abilities.
Try this:
- Boost learning and read or listen to a podcast
- Enhance productivity and write a daily to-do list
- Organize your workspace
- Complete a task you have been putting off
Physical Well-Being
Healthy lifestyle helps balance body, mind, and spirit.
The physical dimension includes lifestyle and behavior choices to ensure health, avoid preventable diseases, and to live in a balanced state of body, mind, and spirit.
Try this:
- Take an activity break every hour and go for a walk, stretch, or take the stairs
- Drink half of your body weight in ounces of water
- Pack a healthy lunch that includes ½ cup fruit and ½ cup vegetables
Social Well-Being
It feels good to contribute and belong.
The social dimension encourages building connections to your environment and community, and helping out in society.
Try this:
- Make time to meet a new person at the workplace
- Attend workplace social events and connect with colleagues
- Do something nice for a coworker such as sharing your appreciation for them
Financial Well-Being
Tackle financial stress by taking responsible steps toward future goals.
The financial dimension helps make sure that you can meet your current and ongoing financial obligations. It ensures that you’re secure in your financial future and are able to make choices that allow you to enjoy life.
Try this:
- Track daily spending
- Plan for retirement by exploring investment and savings opportunities
Resources that Support Self-Care
Emotional
- SD Suicide Prevention – Learn how to help yourself or others considering suicide and view recent data. Educators can enroll in suicide prevention training.
- National Alliance on Mental Health South Dakota – An organization of families, friends, and individuals whose lives have been affected by mental illness.
- 211 Helpline Center, Suicide Prevention & Crisis Support – Offers a variety of suicide prevention trainings, crisis support, and survivor services that include grief support for individuals who have lost a loved one to suicide.
Intellectual
- South Dakota State Library – Provides reading, braille, and talking book programs; offers a collection of free online research and databases specifically curated for elementary, middle and high schools, and a variety of educational topics for all ages.
- Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of South Dakota – The scholarship program is designed for people aged 50 and over, but is open to all ages and education levels.
- 211 Helpline Center, Community Events – Resource calendars provide a central intersection of information regarding basic needs, events, and professional training opportunities in our communities.
Physical
- HealthySD – Provides information, inspiration, and tips on nutrition, physical activity, and health and wellness for all South Dakotans.
- SDSU Extension – Access SDSU Extension’s team of nutritionists and dietitians to learn about healthy and balanced nutrition, as well as programs and resources to help support good nutrition.
- Better Choices, Better Health – Offers chronic disease self-management education workshops that are designed to help adults living with ongoing physical and/or mental health conditions and caregivers understand how healthier choices can improve quality of life, boost self-confidence, and inspire positive lifestyle changes
- 211 Helpline Center, Community Resources – Volunteer or find help with food, clothing, shelter, education, employment, transportation, healthcare, mental health, suicide prevention, substance abuse, support groups or legal assistance.
- American Heart Association – Recommends at least 150 minutes of exercise a week. Find out how to keep your heart healthy and stay hydrated.
Social
- National Institutes of Health – Provides a Social Wellness Toolkit outlining six strategies for improving your social health in English & Spanish.
- 211 Helpline Center, Community Resources – Volunteer or find help with food, clothing, shelter, education, employment, transportation, healthcare, mental health, suicide prevention, substance abuse, support groups or legal assistance.
Financial
- LSS Center for Financial Resources – Access counseling, resources, and education to develop healthy financial habits and support financial needs.
- South Dakota State University Extension – Access information and resources on personal finance.
- 211 Helpline Center, Community Resources – Volunteer or find help with food, clothing, shelter, education, employment, transportation, healthcare, mental health, suicide prevention, substance abuse, support groups or legal assistance.
Download and share the self-care at work infographic that outlines helpful tips on how to prioritize self-care at work:
For more information about Worksite Wellness initiatives in South Dakota, contact us.