HBR Guide to Work-Life Balance

CHAPTER 19

Six Ways to Weave Self-Care into Your Workday

by Amy Jen Su

I’ve spent the past few years working closely with leaders on incorporating self-care into their work lives—as a key component of their overall performance—so that an expansion in their role or responsibilities doesn’t come at the expense of their health and well-being. One CEO I worked with summed it up best when he said: “Self-care is no longer a luxury; it’s part of the job.”

So, what exactly is self-care, and how do we do it?

Define Self-Care More Broadly

At the heart of self-care is your relationship and connection to self. As part of your job, it means that you’re attuned to and understand what you need to be your most constructive, effective, and authentic self. Therefore, ...