Self-care is a lost art. With busy lives and even busier schedules, most people forget the importance of taking time out to spend some time with yourself. Unfortunately, when you don’t take the time to do this, it can cause extra stress and keep you from being your best self. We all need to make self-care a top priority in our lives because if you don’t take care of yourselves, you won’t be able to take care of your families and friends to the best of your ability. Here are a few ways to help you prioritize self-care in your life and make it more simple to implement.
Make the Time
Everyone keeps a schedule. Maybe it’s a work schedule or a family calendar where you keep track of where you need to be on any given day or time. We all schedule appointments, meetings, activities, and social events. But most people forget to schedule time to put ourselves first and recharge. Look at your calendar and/or daily schedule and see where it might fit in. Schedule a time for yourself, daily if possible but at least weekly, to do something that will refuel you. You deserve it.
Exercise
Exercise is a great way to recharge your body and mind. It doesn’t have to be anything crazy, unless you want it to be. It can be as simple as taking a 30-minute walk a few times a week. Maybe even on your lunch break. Join a gym or take an exercise class with friends. Just get up, get moving, and do it for you!
Meditation and Mindfulness
Meditation and mindfulness go hand in hand. It is a chance for you to reflect on your life in a thoughtful way. There are apps for your phone, books you can read, and even online classes you can take to help you learn how to add this into your life. By learning to clear your mind and take in your thoughts in a mindful way, you will naturally become more relaxed and be able to deal with yourself in a more productive way.
Learn To Say No
This one is really hard. Everyone wants to do all the things, all the time and not miss out on anything. That just isn’t possible. It is so important to learn to be selective in how you spend your time so you don’t get overwhelmed, overworked, and exhausted. It’s okay to say no, and people will understand. You can’t run yourself ragged to meet the needs of everyone else without considering your needs, too. This applies to families as well. It’s okay to say no to activities that keep you running across town all weekend. Your kids will get over it and you might even find that you get in some more family time, too.
Treat Yourself
Go get a pedicure, a massage, or a facial. Treat yourself to something you enjoy that makes you feel relaxed. Take that time to enjoy the experience and put yourself first. This is a sure fire way to help you feel more relaxed and refreshed.
Don’t Let Yourself Down
No one wants to let someone down. It’s in our nature to want to please others with our actions. And it is very important to follow through with your commitment. The place where people often fall short is living up to the commitments we make to ourselves. Don’t let yourself down. The commitments you make to yourself are just as important as the commitments you make to others. When you figure out what things you need to do to care for yourself, and make them a priority, follow through with doing them.
Just remember, the goal of self-care is reducing stress and feeling recharged. You have to make that a priority so that you can be your best self. When you take care of yourself, you are more prepared to help others in your life and find joy doing it. And don’t forget, you are worth it!
