Parramatta Square - Self Care Book

PARRAMATTA SQUARE SELF-CARE TIPS

THANK YOU! Thank you to all who participated in the Parramatta Square Self-Care Tips competition. We loved all your simple tips to improve your health and wellbeing so much, it just wouldn’t be right to keep them all to ourselves. We hope these tips can inspire you to commit to self-care, especially when you’re running low on energy.

Be sure to tag us @parramattasquare with hashtag #psselfcare in a picture of what tips you implement in your daily life!

PARRAMATTA SQUARE SELF-CARE TIPS

A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING Tip from Katie, NSW Dept Planning, Industry and Environment A little bit of meditation in my night. A little bit of social distancing by my side. A little bit of reading is all I need. A little bit of cheese is what I see. A little bit of exercise in the sun. A little bit of sleeping all night long. A little bit of baking, here I go again. A little bit of CicciaBella makes me your fan.

Tip from Dean, NSW Dept Planning, Industry and Environment Follow the Pomodoro technique! Work for 25 minutes at a time before having a 5 minute break where you can get up and walk away from your desk. I use a little desk timer to keep track - before doing this I was sitting at my desk feeling unproductive. Breaking work into manageable chunks really helps.

PARRAMATTA SQUARE SELF-CARE TIPS

SQUARED CAREER ADVICE BOOK

EARLY MORNING ROUTINE Tip from Ella, NSW Dept Planning, Industry and Environment My new morning routine has been walking down to my local headland to watch the sun rise, going for a walk and then jumping in the ocean (no matter how cold) before heading home to start work. Such a soul-filling and invigorating way to start the day and to keep me sane during lockdown!

Tip from Tracey, NSW Dept Planning, Industry and Environment I try to keep to my ‘normal’ work routine, but I love going for my early morning walks to clear my head and get ready for the day! I am also challenging myself to trying new recipes for dinner and weekend feasts!

I find cooking calming and therapeutic.

PARRAMATTA SQUARE SELF-CARE TIPS

AUDIO BOOKS FOR THE WIN Tip from Alexandria, Environment Protection Authority Listen to an audio book and select the self-timer option so the audio automatically turns off. Beautiful way to fall asleep.

Tip from Joyleen, Aboriginal Housing Office I’ve just recently discovered the joy of being read to. Now I walk daily to indulge being read to and I am loving it.

PARRAMATTA SQUARE SELF-CARE TIPS

LET’S GET PHYSICAL Tip from Jonathan, NSW Dept Planning, Industry and Environment Take advantage of exercising with yourself, an exercise partner or family whenever the weather is good. I have found it not only physical self-care but also mental.

Tip from Bridget, NSW Dept Planning, Industry and Environment To preserve my physical, emotional and mental health, I like to get out for a walk each day and just let my mind wander as my feet go on auto pilot and take me around the neighbourhood. It’s a great way to reset my mind and come back to work fresh and energised.

Tip from Jane, NSW Dept Planning, Industry and Environment Take that walk outside... even if it’s only around the block. The fresh air and non-screen time will do wonders... and if you happen to walk to a shop that sells a little yummy treat, that’s just a bonus.

PARRAMATTA SQUARE SELF-CARE TIPS

PRACTICING POSITIVITY AND GRATITUDE Tip from Therrie, Service NSW Daily walks along the river and thinking about 3 things I am most grateful for.

Tip from Liza, Dept of Communities and Justice I moved for a new job and only spent 5 days in the new beautiful Parramatta offices before lockdown. I stay positive by getting up each morning reminding myself that I will soon be back socialising, eating, shopping and drinking awesome coffee. I stick to the same routine as I would as if I am going into the office. It prepares me mentally for the day.

I do my hair different each day, put on makeup, dress nicely but casual.

This helps me look and feel good each day.

PARRAMATTA SQUARE SELF-CARE TIPS

SOCIAL INTERACTION IS KEY Tip from Thierry, SafeWork NSW Every morning I walk to a different café, takeaway or bakery and buy a takeaway coffee and breakfast (while adhering to health advice and protocols). Supporting local businesses while keeping mental health in check by having a routine that not only supports my health, but the mental health of others struggling at this time through human interaction. If we support each other, we will make it together.

Tip from Anthony, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service I walk my dog! Or rather, he walks me. I get away from the screen, get a coffee and some human interaction, stretch the legs and lap up the sun (or get rained on, we go anyway). He gets park time with his mates and favourite footy. Everyone wins.

PARRAMATTA SQUARE SELF-CARE TIPS

ESTABLISHING A NIGHT-TIME ROUTINE Tip from Maranie, NSW Dept Planning, Industry and Environment Sleep has always been something that I’ve enjoyed, but because of lockdown and work, I would find myself waking up feeling unrested on most days, including the weekends. What I’ve discovered recently is that sleep hygiene is so important so I’ve created a routine on my own. I won’t bore you with the details of my routine, but the two things that I’m sharing... works effortlessly for me; I disconnect myself from any devices at least an hour before bed and take a warm bath with lavender and peppermint essential oils. Doing this has greatly improved the quality of my sleep so I now get a good night’s rest on most nights (if not all).

Tip from Kelli, NSW Dept Planning, Industry and Environment My top tip is to wake up just half an hour earlier, so you start the day without rushing. I then fit in an hour walk around my neighbourhood, so that I already have hit my step count for the day! Finishing the day with a good book also ensures I sleep well and feel refreshed the next day for another walk.

PARRAMATTA SQUARE SELF-CARE TIPS

PLAN AHEAD FOR GREATNESS Tip from Jyoti, NSW Dept Planning, Industry and Environment Spend a few minutes a day in pursuing and tending to a hobby, perhaps something that you had kept aside to pursue ‘when I have more time’ or retirement. I have started sorting my stamp collection, working through the pile at least a fifteen minutes each day. Get to travel the world in this lockdown situation and learn so much about countries too!

Tip from Chloe, NSW Dept Planning, Industry and Environment Make sure that before you go to bed each night, you have decided on one thing you are going to do the next day that you can look forward to. For example, playing guitar, going for a run, treating yourself to a hot chocolate. Then when you are in that moment the next day, practice active gratitude and soak it all in.

PARRAMATTA SQUARE SELF-CARE TIPS

TAKE TIME OUT Tip from Bernie, Environment Protection Authority My husband and I have regular scheduled “nights off” to have a break from the monotony of the bath/teeth/bedtime routine, a break that we might otherwise have had by going out for dinner with friends or going to a movie. Gives a chance to have some time to ourselves - to phone a friend, do some exercise or some online shopping uninterrupted!

Tip from Josh, NSW Fair Trading Pretty simple, take some time out for yourself.

PARRAMATTA SQUARE SELF-CARE TIPS

NO AL DESKO LUNCHES Tip from Bianca, NSW Dept Planning, Industry and Environment My closest friends and I have organised an optional lunchtime walk and talk group call. The idea is to step away from the work computer for an hour and catch some rays outside, all while keeping social.

Accountability-buddies!

Tip from Andrew, National Australian Bank Get out of the office at lunchtime, grab some lunch from one of the Parramatta Square outlets and take it to Parramatta Park - only about 5mins walk away but so calm and relaxing. Eat your lunch there and go for a walk by the river, recharged and reinvigorated ready to power through the afternoon.

PARRAMATTA SQUARE SELF-CARE TIPS

THE EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM Tip from Marijana, Spirit Super Yoga before logging on for the day!

Tip from Lillian, NSW Dept Planning, Industry and Environment Wake up early at least once per week and watch the sun rise. It’s inspirational and helps me put small problems into perspective.

PARRAMATTA SQUARE SELF-CARE TIPS