It is no secret that working within the hospitality industry is tough. Often, positions in the industry are fast-paced and stressful – especially during busier times of the year like the summer travel season and the holidays. As we approach the holiday season and a hectic time for the industry and its employees, it’s important to prioritize self-care consistently. No one can perform well in their role long-term if efforts aren’t made to keep both physical and mental health strong. It’s easy to forget about self-care when you are focused on performing well at work or other life responsibilities, like caring for a family or attending school. However, making time for this daily increases the chances of being successful in all of those aspects of life. Self-care doesn’t have to be time-consuming. In fact, here are four (quick) tips for incorporating self-care into your daily routine.
Prioritize Good Sleep
With responsibilities like work, school, family, etc. – getting a full eight hours of sleep each night can seem impossible. Getting at least 6 or 7 hours of sleep consistently is best to give your body a chance to recover from the day. However, focus on the quality of sleep as well as quantity. Not all rest is created equal, and restless sleep doesn’t do nearly as much good for your body as deep restful slumber. Adjust your bedtime routine to remove potential triggers of restless sleep. These triggers include caffeine, alcohol, and screen time. Limiting these, especially in the hour before bed better guarantees your body will be physically ready for sleep. The National Sleep Foundation recommends several other ways to increase the quality of sleep. Among those are creating a standard sleep schedule when possible, investing in blackout curtains, and setting thermostats a bit cooler before bed.
Get Outside Everyday
Some hospitality roles allow employees to work at least partially outside. Most hotel jobs, however, are primarily performed indoors. That – combined with commuting by car, bus, or train – doesn’t leave much time for hospitality workers to get outside for fresh air. Even spending just 10 minutes outside each day is shown to reduce stress and anxiety. As humans, we need the vitamin D as well. Plan a time each day to step outside and take a few breaths, or better yet take a walk around the block or neighborhood. No time to do so after work? Utilize breaks and lunchtime during the shift to get those few moments of outdoor time. For those living within walking or biking distance from their job, commuting on foot or by bike is another way to incorporate this form of self-care into their daily routine.
Plan “You” Time
For working adults, especially those caring for families as well, finding time for oneself is sometimes just as hard as finding time to go outside. However, planning time for you to do something you enjoy is a great form of self-care. What “you time” looks like varies for each individual. For some, exercise is a passion, so making time for a workout during a busy week is a great way to relieve any stress. Others enjoy reading, so personal time for them might be carving out 15 minutes before bed every night for reading. It may seem simple to do things you enjoy, but as working professionals in the hospitality industry, actually doing so is a different story. It’s best to plan these moments in advance, so you can hold yourself accountable for ensuring they happen. Write them down in a planner and cross them off when they happen.
Don’t Hide Emotions or Frustrations
This can be applied in both a professional and personal setting – expressing frustrations or concerns openly with managers and colleagues at work often leads to a solution much sooner than if those weren’t made known. The same applies to home life. The most supportive families are those that talk openly about any issues, questions, or concerns within the family. No one wants to go through their day-to-day angry, frustrated, etc. Identifying root issues and addressing them rather than keeping emotions hidden and allowing those root issues to continue is key for mental health.
Self-Care Through a Job Search
Looking for a new job opportunity is stressful in itself, especially when trying to find one that fits what you need in a role and the experience you bring to the table. It’s important to not forget about self-care during the search process. Along with the strategies above, another form of self-care job seekers can take is to maximize the search effort so as to not waste time on opportunities that aren’t a mutual fit. Technology has made job hunting more accessible over the years but also more overwhelming with the number of places available to search for opportunities. Look for job boards that:
- Ane Updated Frequently
- Are Easy to Navigate
- Make it Quick and Simple to Apply for Positions
Our database of opportunities is all that and more. Full of current opportunities at locations across the country, it allows users to find roles that fit quickly and apply in just a matter of clicks. A job search is an important process, but not one that should cause more stress than the job itself. If you are looking for a new opportunity, balance the search with some alone time doing the things you love, some fresh air, and a good night’s sleep between search efforts. The opportunities are out there!