Stress can be detrimental to your health. Unfortunately, it’s a pervasive problem that impacts people of all ages and backgrounds. As the world grapples with the coronavirus and the impact of social distancing, stress levels are on the rise and it can destroy productivity, while causing many other problems. Let’s look at five reasons why self-care will always lead to greater productivity.
1. Boosts Energy Levels
One of the ways in which some people care for themselves is with exercise. For example, yoga is a common self-care practice that’s also a great exercise. It’s highly effective at strengthening your body and increasing your energy levels. This is just one example of a self-care practice that can increase your energy.
Engaging in self-care on a regular basis should become part of your lifestyle given its many benefits. For instance, riding a stationary bike is a form of exercise, but it’s also self-care because it can send your energy levels through the roof with mood-enhancing endorphins. This eliminates fatigue and improves productivity.
2. Reduces Stress
How do you reduce stress? There are many self-care practices that can help you live a more peaceful life. One of the most common ways to get rid of stress is with a massage. If you’ve never had a massage, it only takes one experience to get hooked. During a time of social distancing, you can use hand-held massage tools to reduce stress.
If you have pain in your neck or shoulders, it can prevent you from being productive. A deep tissue massager can both reduce stress and mitigate issues that might prevent you from being productive. Most people are more productive when they minimize stress because it reduces the production of cortisol, which can cause high blood pressure and anxiety.
Source: Shutterstock3. Increases Mindfulness
Meditation and other self-care techniques can help to increase mindfulness. When you are able to live in the moment, you are likely to be more effective at whatever you set out to accomplish. On the flipside, not taking care of yourself can result in anxiety, stress, depression and other emotions that can completely destroy productivity levels.
Increasing mindfulness becomes easier with practice. Learning how to meditate is one of the best things you can do for yourself because it’s a skill that can be employed at a moment’s notice. The positive benefits of meditation are far-reaching.
4. Improves Health
Some self-care habits are quite enjoyable, such as eating a healthy meal. Eating the right types of foods is a form of self-care and it can have a tremendous impact on your productivity levels. Have you every consumed a less than healthy meal and found it difficult to focus or complete a task? That’s because some foods are not as beneficial as others. When you prioritize self-care, you’ll choose foods that are good for your body.
When you consume fruits and vegetables that are high in macronutrients, you can get a much needed energy boost that lasts throughout the day. The good thing about nutrient-dense food is that it can positively impact your brain. What you eat can significantly improve your mood and memory. When you’re able to think with greater clarity, you are likely to accomplish more on a daily basis. This is why a great self-care practice is bringing your food to work with you instead of picking up fast food that doesn’t nourish your body.
Source: Shutterstock5. Eliminates Bad Habits
When you make a conscious decision to take better care of yourself, you’ll probably find that some of your current habits are contrary to your goals in life. For instance, if you stay awake late at night and wake up for work early in the morning, you are negatively affecting your health.
If you make the decision to prioritize self-care, getting a sufficient amount of sleep every night should be at the top of your list. That’s because your body requires sleep to regenerate cells, which helps your body function optimally. Staying out late at night is a bad habit that simply isn’t good for you. In fact, sleep deprivation will destroy your productivity levels. As a result, you should establish a consistent bedtime and stick with it.
While it’s important to be productive, the main reason why self-care should be a priority is because it can improve your quality of life. When you have a consistent self-care routine, there’s a good chance that you will enjoy improved overall wellness. With everything that’s going on in the world, now is the perfect time to start taking better care of yourself. It may be one of the best decisions you ever make.
