SELF-CARE
W
Why Self-Care Is
Crucial For True Success
hether you are a
leader, an employee,
or starting up your
own business, the
chances are that you
don’t make enough time for self-care.
Modern society tends to prize those
willing to work the longest hours while
simultaneously scorning those who look
after themselves well.
Yet if you want to be a true success,
regardless of what capacity you work
in, it’s absolutely essential to look after
yourself. Gradually working your body
into a state of total exhaustion is not
beneficial for anyone, and in the end,
you’ll find it hard to bounce back. Here’s
a closer look at self-care and why it’s so
crucial for real success.
STRESS-BUSTING 101
Whether you’re in a manual job where
you need to stick to production targets
or a high-flying businessperson under
pressure to keep the company on track,
stress is the one universal factor.
No matter who you are, the physical
effects of stress on the body can be
extensive, increasing blood pressure
causing chest pain, headaches and
digestive disorders. Psychologically, the
effect can be even more devastating,
making it hard to concentrate or relax
while lowering mood and self-esteem.
One way to manage stress is to
take regular exercise, an important
component of self-care. You don’t have to
hit the gym. It might be a round of golf,
a walk with the dog, or even a night out
shaking your funky thing on the dance
floor.
Taking time out to exercise isn’t a luxury.
It’s an essential part of making sure
you’re able to function at optimal levels
for as long as possible.
GOOD NUTRITION
To stay mentally sharp and keep your
immune system strong, you should
be eating a healthy and varied diet.
Everyone has days when they grab
something on the move, but this should
be the exception and not the norm.
Eating well doesn’t need to be time
consuming, and you don’t need top-
notch chef skills to have a balanced diet.
But if you want to exude energy and
radiate a healthy glow, you’ll need to
take the time to nourish yourself from
the inside out first.
lot of time, but setting aside a slot that
is dedicated just for you can make a real
difference.
You might want to book a massage,
meditate, or just enjoy a long, warm bath.
Whatever you choose to do, it’s your time
to switch off and focus on yourself. This
may feel indulgent, but in the long run,
you’ll perform better and be far more
mentally agile too.
ACHIEVABLE FOR ALL
What self-care looks like depends on the
person, but it’s important to take the time
to really consider what you need. If you
don’t look after yourself, no one else will,
and in the long run, you’ll directly impact
your performance and ultimately your
success. +
A CLEAR MIND
If you’re tired and struggling along, the
chances are that you’re more likely to
make a mistake. This may not just be
difficult to sort out; it could cost you
financially too.
To try to avoid making preventable errors,
you need to look after your mind. This
means not just making enough time to
sleep but also scheduling in time to relax
and unwind. This doesn’t have to take a
BY: BARRY E. FIELDS
VICE PRESIDENT OF EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
JGS INSURANCE
Barry Fields has over 26 years of employee
benefits experience advising clients in a
wide range of industries, professional and
industrial, public and private, throughout
the United States and worldwide.
Barry specializes in providing full-service
benefits consulting to clients including
program design, compliance, plan
funding, underwriting, wellness programs,
employee communications, benefits
administration, employee advocacy and
the use of effective strategies in benefits
management.
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