practical ways you to build self-care
Even with a busy schedule, you can find time to fit in some self-care and down time into your life throughout the day, and it's imperative that you do.
Let’s start with self-care.
All aspects of self-care, including physical, emotional, and social, contribute to your overall wellbeing. Having a self-care routine decreases stress, lessens anxiety, and increases your feelings of happiness.
And let’s touch on sleep.
Science has proven again and again the importance of sleep and how crucial it is to a healthy body. When we aren't sleeping enough, we see various symptoms alerting us that something needs to change. Even if we get more rest, we are supporting our body, it doesn’t have to be a full night sleep to recharge (although that is important too) There are actually several different types of rest we can be focusing on adding to our lives regularly.
Here are a few practical ways you can build self-care into your busy schedule and prioritize some extra rest for a balanced approach to wellness:
Time to sleep
This is the first thing that comes to mind when we say we need rest. A good night's sleep is the backbone of a healthy body, and aiming for seven to eight hours of sleep each night will be transformational for your health.
If you struggle with this, setting a bedtime and creating a nourishing bedtime routine will help get you into a rhythm you enjoy. Start winding down your evening at a set time, and slowing start building your bedtime routine in little steps will help you make this a regular habit.
Alone time
In a busy world full of families, work, responsibilities, social schedule, sometimes uninterrupted quiet time is the answer. It's so easy to get caught up with deadlines and work-life that we forget to prioritize ourselves and do things we love.
Make time for yourself to enjoy some silence and your own company. It can look like a night in with a good book, a walk alone in a park or a dinner date for one.
You might need to schedule this in! But make sure you're doing something you love each day. If you have a jam-packed schedule, start by scheduling just 5-10 minutes per day. Starting small is better than waiting for the perfect time.
Time with your people
On the flip-side if you're feeling disconnected, spend some time creating new relationships and nurturing the ones you already have. Surround yourself with supportive people who want to see you do well in life.
Build a positive social circle. Community is an essential part of a healthy life. It can be as simple as a quick check-in, lunch date, or a walk after work with a friend. For me it’s a regular evening phone call to my Mom.
Building your social life can increase feelings of purpose and your sense of belonging. So make time for friends and family, build a weekly lunch date into your schedule (even if it's virtual), and prioritize connecting with others.
Time in nature
Being outdoors is very grounding. It can be as simple as walking barefoot through the grass or as intense as hiking a mountain. Spending more time in nature has a way of reminding us of our place in the universe.
Fresh air + sunshine along with some exercise goes a long way in recharging our energy levels. Even just a short walk on your lunch break can make a difference in how your afternoon goes.
Time away
This can look different for everyone, but ideally just a change to your regular routine. It might be a weekend stay in a hotel or maybe just need a change of scenery and a good old-fashioned night out. If you have been feeling extra hectic and stressed, it could take an entire week to rejuvenate you. Or maybe it’s a break from the weight of the world.
It's okay to step back from commitments or responsibilities while caring for yourself for a season. Stepping away for a few hours or a few days can lead us to come back with a fresh perspective.
Take care of your body
Exercising and eating healthy is not just something we do to prevent illness -- it's an integral part of your self-care routine. Treat your body right by feeding it nutritious and delicious food, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep at night. Taking care of your physical body also improves your mental wellbeing — so it'll be worthwhile for you to emphasize getting this onto your daily schedule.
Speak kindly to yourself
The same way you compliment your loved ones, start complimenting yourself, too. The words we speak to ourselves hold so much value, and it's essential that we speak kindly. You can do this by taking notice of your mental self-talk throughout the day. In what ways can you flip any negative self-talk into something positive? Are there recurring negative thoughts or patterns you notice? We can be our own worst critics, so it'll take practice, but putting effort into giving ourselves grace and understanding while treating ourselves kindly and with compassion will make a tremendous impact on your health and outlook.
Do the difficult tasks
Sometimes, self-care and self-love aren't as pretty as face masks and movie nights. If you have a task that's been looming over your head for weeks, get it done. If you need to do some difficult self-reflection, re-build or end relationships, study, or pay bills, do it. It might not be fun or easy, but you will feel so much better afterward. These to-do's lingering on our list weigh on us, so do yourself a favor and release yourself from those tasks by checking them off your list.
Whether you are looking for a quick boost, or a habit overhaul, these tips are to get you thinking about your next steps. You may be feeling so depleted that you feel like you need to make time for all of them -- and that's okay. But pick 1-2 to start, get creative how you are going to find time this week to make it happen. Taking time out to recharge is never selfish or frivolous. You are worth it- and you need this time of rest and recharge to operate well.
So which ones are you going to start with? Let me know in the comments below.
For some extra motivation- be sure to watch this free training, where I share my best tips that help my clients reach their goals:
