Popular speaker, trainer, actor and a best-selling author Suzie Lavington said self-care is not a luxury or a frill to be done at free time, but it is something non-negotiable.
“You have to prioritise looking after your own physical and mental wellbeing. For you and the people who care about and depend on you.”
While conducting an “Art of Being Brilliant” session during the recent Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s (RPS) annual conference, she said, “Before you are a pharmacist or whatever role you play at work, you are a mother or a father.
“You're a wife or husband. You are someone's partner, someone's brother, sister, son or daughter. And your life needs you more than your job does.”
Suzie took the session to help the professionals tackle mental and physical pressure that comes with their career.
She lamented that pharmacy professionals often forget to take care of themselves while serving the community.
Lavington pointed out that the landscape of pharmacy is ever changing. Professionals have to cope with new technology like AI, or unlearn and relearn new skills to stay relevant.
Being positive
She dwelled on positive psychology and said it may not change the world, “but it will change my world.”
Suzie pointed out that the landscape of pharmacy is ever changing. Professionals have to cope with new technology like AI, or unlearn and relearn new skills to be relevant.
She said positive psychology will help us respond better to the stresses and strains and cope with much more confidence.
She stated that it is important to accept that the best version of oneself looks different on different days.
She stressed on allowing oneself do their best for each day, which could even be a mere 3 per cent on challenging days.
Tips for healthy life
Begin the day by drinking water instead of coffee, and experience sunlight before screen light.
Practicing physical exercises is the first step towards a positive lifestyle.
Have a balanced diet including fruits, vegetables and sufficient amount of water adds to the quality of life further.
Ensuring appropriate hours of sleep helps individuals maintain a peaceful mind.
These improved habits prevent people from breaking easily under life’s stress.
Try rhythm over balance
Work-life balance is an outdated concept. On the other hand, going with the rhythm of life makes living easier.
“So a constant up-down of stress and then rest… Think of stress as something that challenges you mentally, physically and or emotionally.
“Stress is a necessary challenge, but continuous stress leads to problems, highlighting the need for rest.”
“Taking micro-moments of rest, where people take even one or two minutes of rest after a task enhances productivity over searching for perfect work-life balance.”
Slowing down is inevitable to prevent the hindering of the prefrontal cortex caused by rushing signals to the brain that activates one’s survival mode.
While slowing down tasks by 10 per cent activates a sense of safety in people.
Deep, proper breathing is the best way to reset stress response.
“When you breathe properly, slowly and deeply, again, you are sending that all important, that crucial message to your brain that you are safe.”
Shift to assertive communication
Changing the way people communicate brings massive changes in life.
Smile is powerful tool that creates instant connection and positive neuron activity.
Rather than arguing and being consumed by own emotions, utilising the “agreement frame” is a good strategy to carry out a calm conversation.
On the other hand, start communication with acknowledgement slowly moving to a solution without negating the connection.
Understanding the impact of people’s communication is an effective strategy.
This helps both the speaker and the listener feel better after every interaction.
Assertive communication where the opinions of others are respect while expressing own ideas creates positivity in the entire environment.
It solves problems and maintains good relationships as well.
Lavington also suggested the crowd to treat their workplaces like their extended family where everyone needs to move highlighting the importance of unity.
Giving and taking respect and collaboration is inevitable to be happy.
She emphasised on the significance of spreading joy and positivity in their interactions, as she concluded.
