After a difficult meeting, an engineering manager may need a moment to regain composure before speaking with the team. Self-care means making time for activities and rest that support your well-being, so stress does not undermine your judgment or the support you give others. It is part of self-management, not a substitute for managing your workload. section 3.3 section 3.3.4
Make self-care practical:
- Take time off when needed, and make room for hobbies, relaxation, or mindfulness. section 3.3.4
- Protect working hours. Avoid late-night emails that imply an immediate response; use Send Later or mark a message for the next day. section 3.3.4
- Reflect regularly on accomplishments and goals. When handling conflict or underperformance, respond with empathy and use objective information rather than letting emotions decide. section 3.3.4
- When demands pile up, prioritize tasks and communicate your circumstances instead of silently taking on more. section 3.3
Self-care is not the whole burnout plan
When a team faced burnout, its manager encouraged breaks, flexible hours, and unplugging outside work. The team also adjusted deadlines, held check-ins, and addressed resource and process problems. Personal recovery mattered, but so did changing the conditions creating excessive strain. section 3.2.8
Your habits can set expectations for the team. Ask yourself: What helps you recover, what boundary can you make clearer, and what workload problem needs action beyond self-care? section 3.3 section 3.2.8
