3 Self Care Tips To Help You Find More “Me” Time
As everyone’s now living such busy lives it’s even more important to find a moment to pause and prioritise your self care so that you’re not burning yourself out. Whether you’re working full time, own your own business, a student or a busy parent at home, all of the above lifestyles can involve long challenging days and sleepless nights; which can at points leave you feeling exhausted and overwhelmed.
It’s important to prioritise time for yourself so that your body has a chance to rest and recharge.
Here are my three top tips for self care so that you can achieve a sense of calm, feel less overwhelmed and have some time for yourself.
1) Routines & Rituals
Self care is the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s own health.
You may feel that you don’t have enough hours in the day for the work you need to do; never mind some ‘me’ time. Although, taking a little time to create some routines and rituals can have a huge impact on improving your overall wellbeing. Our bodies love routines, they help you to sleep better, feel more at ease, and in turn, they give you more energy and make you less prone to falling ill as your immune system is stronger and not depleted.
Start your day right by making a to-do list. Plan it well and by the hour so you can map outbreaks and easily spot the times when you are at your busiest. You can use a notepad and pen, invest in a pretty diary or journal or utilise an online calendar. The most important thing is, do what works for you and what you know you will easily be able to stick to.
What self care rituals can you carve into your daily routine once you see what time you have available? Even the smallest of steps built into your fullest of days is better than no steps at all! It could be adding an extra couple of minutes to your morning shower - having it on cold has been shown to boost people’s general health by increasing endorphins, and improving metabolism and circulation, amongst many other benefits. Or what about incorporating a 5-minute meditation after your breakfast? Even a small meditation can clear the mind, giving you more clarity for the day ahead. Another great ritual to add to your daily routine is listening to a health and wellness podcast or a self development book. You can do this whilst getting ready in the morning or while on your commute to work. It won’t take any extra time out of your day but will feed and nourish your mind.
2) Rest & Recharge
Life can throw us so many stresses on a daily basis, so the importance of rest and relaxation is even more vital so that we remain well. If you don’t prioritise enough rest your body will not function at its best and if left untreated it can cause you long term damage to your health which isn’t what you want when you want a long and healthy life.
As we are all now programmed to be busy 24/7 it can be hard to switch off. So set yourself some boundaries between work and home life so you can get the balance right for you. This will help you to work more productively, avoid burnout and create more ‘me’ time.
Everyone rests and relaxes differently. Find something that helps you to clear your mind and help you feel calm. This will really help you on those days that are extra challenging and will relieve any stresses you may have.
Therapies such as reflexology are a great way to naturally enhance your immunity levels; whilst helping you to stay healthy. This natural therapy calms down your nervous system which can help to relieve anxiety, reduce stress levels, lower blood pressure, improve sleep quality and boost your mood. All of which will help to reduce pressure on your immune system; whilst simultaneously strengthening it. It’s fantastic for keeping you in great health both physically and mentally.
3) Relationships
Find your tribe! Having a strong network around you is crucial for your overall wellbeing. If you invest time in nurturing these relationships they will lift you up, give you confidence when needed, and encourage you when you’re having those down days. If this pandemic has taught us something, it’s how fantastic it can be to have a great community around us all supporting each other.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help! We all need support now and again. By telling family, friends and colleagues what it is you need this can really help you to get through those tasks at work or home so much quicker. Therefore, creating some space to concentrate on you.
Be consistent with your self care as once you’ve started to create all of these healthy habits, they will help you to keep focused, be more productive, stay on top of your busy schedule and help you to achieve a healthy happy life!
Remember to take care of yourself first and foremost by carving out pockets of ‘me’ time into each of your days so that you can find balance and be well.