45 percent of our daily actions are habits: from brushing our teeth to tying our shoes. Not every habit is conscious, but every habit is trained. And caregivers can use this to their advantage. We have compiled five habits that help to get off to a better start at work:
1.) The two-minute rule
The two-minute rule is based on the motto: „What you can do today, don’t put off until tomorrow“. It comes from US author David Allen, an expert on self-management. The exact wording:
„Anything you can do in two minutes or less, do it now.“
It may sound simple, but how often do we put a paper aside or put off tasks for no reason in our daily lives? Instead of constantly thinking about what little things still need to be done, this rule counteracts the clutter in your mind. By doing things right away that take no more than two minutes, you can save time and energy. This could be preparing medication for residents or filling out a document.
2.) Keeping track
A study at Baylor University found a link between to-do lists and stress, as well as sleep problems. The researchers observed that subjects who wrote a to-do list for the next day before going to bed fell asleep faster and with less stress than the comparison group (which wrote about achievements of the previous days). According to the study, it is enough to take five minutes to create order for upcoming tasks.
Many elderly care professionals implement this finding by writing a schedule at the beginning of a shift. A to-do list for the coming day can also help to avoid burgeoning stress.
3.) Don’t forget the feel-good factor
On average, everyone spends a third of their life at work. Therefore, one habit worth incorporating is the following:
Caregivers should take ten minutes at the beginning of each week to actively improve their well-being at work. This can be a small thing, like buying a plant for the desk. Or something bigger, like talking to the ward manager about a problem that has been bothering you for a while. The ten minutes can also be used for reflection. For example, by asking yourself, „What is negatively affecting my well-being in the care home?“ or „How can I counteract this problem?“ If you invest these ten minutes every week, you will gradually influence your workplace and your environment for the better.
4.) Breaks are for switching off
Breaks are there to recharge energy and rest and to take a breath between work. Unfortunately, there are always disruptions when the break is spent in the living area, for example: Residents ring, colleagues ask for something, a phone call comes in, etc. If you want to prevent this, you should get into the habit of going out into the fresh air during your break. A few minutes outside can be just as relaxing as a short nap. The saying „out of sight, out of mind“ also applies. Because it is easier to switch off when you are far away from the workplace.
5.) Promote a positive attitude
70 percent of our daily thoughts are fleeting. This is explained by Dr. Katharina Schmid, doctor and author of the book „Kopfsache gesund“. Thoughts only gain influence when they are linked to feelings and ideas, because hormones are then involved. In this way, thoughts can even influence our health. Making positive ways of thinking a habit has a healthy effect on body and soul.
The fact is, our brain is 31 per cent more productive when we approach something with a positive attitude instead of negative stress. This is shown by Shawn Achor, who works as a happiness researcher and author for Harvard Business Review, among others. Similar to building muscle in the gym, positive thinking is also a matter of training. The researcher recommends starting with small steps. His advice for nurses: take two minutes every day to write down three things you are grateful for at work.
