Practicing self-care is important for anyone, as studies show it has a number of physical, emotional and psychological benefits. If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, have a serious illness, or are caring for someone who does, taking care of your health and well-being is a necessity.

An article published by Forbes highlights many different ways to practice self-care. We’ve selected some tips for taking care of yourself at work to share and have added a few of our own!

 At Work:

• Go about your work day with intention. Be strategic about how you manage your time and energy. Set realistic goals and plans.
• Speak up. If you need help, it’s okay to respectfully ask for it. Perhaps a reasonable accommodation would be helpful. Don’t be afraid to express your needs.
• Delegate. This will help take some of the burden off your plate while giving your direct reports opportunities to grow and learn.
• Learn to say ‘no’. It’s important to set professional boundaries so you don’t ware yourself out. For tips on how to do so, click here.
• Meditate. Find a few minutes in the work day where you can duck into a conference room or sit quietly at your desk with no distractions.
• Decorate. If able, design your work-space with items that are visually relaxing and comforting to you.
• Take on interesting projects. For some patients and survivors, work might be an escape from everything else going on in your life. If that’s the case, take on projects you find meaningful and distracting, but remember you don’t have to take on everything. If it’s starts to feel like too much, use the strategies above.

For other tips on practicing self-care beyond work, view the complete Forbes article here.

You may also be interested in joining us for our webinar on Setting Boundaries, on September 9^th, or applying for a travel scholarship to attend our National Conference on Work & Cancer, being held on June 19^th, in NYC! Learn more about the event here.