Wellbeing and Self-Care Recommendations
Sleep, Hydration, De-Stress, Mindful Workspace (Amazon Affiliate Links)
Over the years I've found several different things that I utilise to support my wellbeing both in my working and personal life, here I've shared some of my most useful self-care aids, and some of the items I simply couldn't live without!
I use this Light Box throughout the year but particularly in winter to help me focus and concentrate. It sits on a table next to my desk and is particularly good for boosting energy levels on dull grey days and winter evenings. It also helps with SAD symptoms and several people I've worked with use it specifically for this purpose.
I've been using a Lumie Bodyclock for years, I don't know what I'd do without it. Instead of a harsh alarm call I wake up gradually to the light slowly getting brighter like a sunrise. Every night I set the light to gradually dim once I've got into bed while I journal and read a book until the light levels fall too low to be able to see the text in my book (it also stops me reading too late into the night!). It's a really great and relaxing way to start and end the day.
I'm onto my second one of these! I keep it by my bed and it really does only take a few minutes to complete at the beginning and end of each day. Part gratitude journal, part affirmation / goal setting, part reflection, part learning, part kindness and giving focussed, plus a whole load of positive psychology and mindfulness goes into this journaling experience. It's brilliant and a great resource to be able to look back on too.
I wear these every night to block out any noise to help me sleep. They are super comfortable and I hardly notice I'm wearing them. I switched to these recently as I was fed up of using the foam disposable ones. These are much more eco friendly as they're reusable and easy to clean. They even come with different size ear tips so you can get the best fit for your ears.
I switch to these when I'm at home in the evenings particularly if I'm still at my laptop working or studying. I seem to get less eye strain when I use them and they definitely help with winding down and sleeping even if I've been on my laptop later than I'd have liked.
I've lost track of how many years I've been using this for but it's my sleep essential. I have a travel sized bottle that I take when I'm travelling and because I associate the fragrance with a good night's sleep and have been using it for so long I think it makes it even more effective when I use it while travelling. I probably only use the spray every 2-3 days as the scent lingers on your pillow so a bottle lasts for ages.
I find it really calming to have a scented candle burning sometimes while I'm working particularly if I'm trying to focus and concentrate on a task. Vanilla is my favourite scent and I find that on a dull day or through the winter it helps to make the room feel extra cosy too.
This bottle is huge so it's a little big for taking out and about but I use it every day that I'm working from home. I fill it with water in the morning and it sits on my desk as a reminder that I need to have drunk it all by the end of the day. I usually pour it out into a glass throughout the day although sometimes I'll use the straw fitting to drink directly from the bottle if I'm not on a video call! It is so helpful for making sure I drink enough water.
I'm not very green fingered but I am a big believer in how much plants improve your indoor space especially your workspace particularly if there isn't much greenery to see out of the window. They also purify the air and give you a mood boost. Not all of mine are looking quite as healthy as the ones in the photo (down to total negligence on my part!) although that one on the bottom right is growing like crazy despite a distinct lack of watering!
This is such an essential of my desk setup that I barely even notice it's there. Although take it away or if I go and work from a co-working space or office for a couple of days and forget to take it with me I certainly notice that it's not there. Wrist supports are so important if you're using a mouse for long periods of time. This is my favourite and most comfortable one and I never have any wrist pain when I use it!
This is my matching wrist support for my keyboard and just like the mouse wrist support it's an essential piece of kit for my desk. Again it's one of those things I don't notice unless it's gone and I wonder why my wrists are aching. If you have any wrist pain these wrist supports are definitely worth getting I've been using them for years and don't have any issues with my wrists considering the amount of time I spend using my mouse and keyboard for work and study!
If you're short like me then a foot rest is important when you're sat at a desk. This one is great because it's height adjustable so I can get it to just the right level for me. Although the main reason it's so good is the foot massage dots and rollers, these are brilliant and I would highly recommend getting the foot rest for the foot massage elements alone!
If you've been thinking about getting a standing desk, do it! I finally bought one last year and I will never be going back it makes such a difference! I alternate between sitting/standing throughout the day. I always find I'm more alert and more confident when standing, I'll usually stand if I'm on a video call, presenting, or delivering training. It's so nice at the end of the day not to feel like I've been hunched over sat down all day and I feel so much better for it.
I got one of these during the Covid lockdowns when I was spending more time sitting at home than normal. This is a super comfortale support cushion and can be adjusted to fit the height of your chair. It's easy to attach and remove, I found it went wherever I did in the house for a while from desk chair, to dining room chair, to sofa. Nowadays I mainly use it in the car and I'd highly recommend it for additional lumbar support, your back is so important, look after it!
Yes I have an online calendar (several in fact), and emails, tasks, and online to do lists but I find something extremely satisfying and calming about getting everything out of my head (and my phone / laptop) onto paper every day so I can see everything for the day in one place without distractions and tick things off my To Do list as I go. This planner is great as it also includes a habit tracker and helps you prioritise your top 3 tasks to help you focus.
I have several stress relief / fidget toys on my desk. Sometimes they help me to think or sometimes I just need something to do with my hands if I'm on a call and not taking notes. I also use them a lot if I run in-person training, I give them out to attendees, generally they help people relax, focus, and give them something to do with their hands other than constantly picking up their phones! This is one of my oldest ones but it's a fun one to play with!
I feel that I've upgraded from using a stress ball to one of these puzzle balls which I find far better. It's not squidgy like a stress ball but I find the element of pushing the different coloured balls in and manoeuvring them far more effective, probably because it takes a little bit of focus too if you're trying to match them up with the correct colours so it's a good distraction.
This one I've only had since the beginning of the year but it's already one of my favourites. Like the Tangle sometimes it helps me think, sometimes I just need something to do with my hands when I'm on a call and there's just something soothing about it. This is another one that I've started to give out to attendees when I'm delivering in-person training so look out for them if you come to one of my sessions!
It's so important to fit movement into your workday but it can be tricky. I always think the best thing is getting outside for a walk/run even if it's just 5-10mins around the block but I know that's not always appealing if the weather is rubbish. I use these bands a lot inside, you can do so many different exercises with them (check out the booklet that comes with them or YouTube for ideas), many of which can easily be done sitting or standing at your desk!
This is a great kit if you're starting out on your yoga journey and I often recommend it to be people taking up yoga for the first time as it gives you everything you need. Yoga or stretching is such an easy thing to incorporate into your workday. Just head to YouTube to access some free yoga sessions, my favourite is Yoga with Adrienne which offers easy sessions as short as 10mins (ideal for fitting into a quick break during your work day).
This is a fab little wellbeing guide developed with Mind the mental health charity. It's a lovely collection of different self-care and wellbeing tips, activities, and reminders to help support you when you need it. Whether you need to de-compress, de-stress, or just take a break you'll find something in here to help. It's great to keep on your desk or near your workspace within easy reach whenever you might need it.
If you've never tried setting affirmations before this is a great place to start. The set comes with a wooden stand so you can display a different card on your desk each day / week. There's a wellbeing tip on the reverse so you could also use these for daily or weekly wellbeing ideas. There's also a booklet which explains what affirmations are and how to utilise them. This is really lovely even if you use if for nothing else than a little positive reminder each day.
A puzzle book might seem a bit old fashioned these days when you can do so many puzzles online or though apps on your phone but this is all about being mindful too. It's about taking yourself away from screens, flashing ads, and garish music to focus on something that's both relaxing and challenging to give yourself a break and to re-set. I'm onto the 2nd book in this series already!
Finally, just for fun! I received this as a Secret Santa present one Christmas and it makes a great gift for an HR colleague! Full of humour and stress-relieving images to colour in at your desk.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Contact Me
Book a free initial introductory call with me here
Message me on WhatsApp
Katie HR Consulting
Derbyshire, England, United Kingdom
Email: hello@katiehrconsulting.co.uk Mobile: 07871 222621
