As a psychiatrist who specializes in maternal mental health and as a working parent herself, Pooja Lakshmin, MD, knows that long baths are nice. But she also knows that they aren’t the be-all, end-all to solving work-related stress. Here, the author of “Real Self-Care” shares her advice for more effectively dealing with the not-so-good feelings that can come up at work.
Advice for what to do when you…
Feel stuck…External problems often have internal fixes. Focus on the factors that are in your control: effort, attitude, and concentration. You will either validate your concerns or get promoted.
Need a confidence boost…Keep a hype file to refer back to past wins and nice things people have said about you. Remember things happen for you, not to you.
Want to ask for a raise…Make your case listing all of your accomplishments and why you are so valuable, even indispensable. Why you and why now? Rehearse so you speak authoritatively.
Fail…Often, failure means you were trying to fit a circle into a square or you weren’t being supported properly. Grieve, vent, and pick yourself back up.
Are nearing burnout…Burnout often results when people haven’t prioritized real self-care. It’s hard to establish boundaries, which is the foundation of self-care. It’s a muscle we all need to build.
Want to unwind after a stressful day…Walking the indoor track at my local YMCA, while listening to my favorite podcast or Spotify playlist.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
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