When you’re busy juggling multiple commitments on a daily basis it can often feel difficult to find any sort of balance. And your to-do list, well there’s always something that hasn’t been done. Usually a number of things and luckily for us women, we can find all of these niggling tasks floating around our heads, on notepads or on our phones! The question is, how often do you put your wellbeing at the top of this list?
It can be easy to fall in and out of a self-care routine… because there are always other priorities. There’s work to be done, the house needs cleaning, the washing needs putting on, the dinners need making, the children need ‘this’, they also need ‘that’. Maybe you can relate? The problem with this is that a lot of the time, when we put ourselves last, we’re almost too exhausted to even remember what self-care is!
Self-care. The necessary practice to maintain our overall well-being and find balance in our lives. Two very important words.
The bottom line is that when any of us practise self-care regularly we really do feel good inside and out…
- We reduce stress and anxiety, helping us to feel more positive.
- We feel more productive and efficient at the same time.
- Our mental health improves and our mindset is good.
- We are more resilient and can handle any challenges we face in a more balanced way.
- Our general wellbeing improves - we sleep better, eat better, feel better!
Of course, you and I both know all of this. We know the benefits of looking after ourselves. We haven’t got this far in life without realising that when our mindset is good we feel that we can achieve anything, and we know that when we do the things that make us happy or feel good inside, that this contributes to a positive mindset. The knock-on effects of self-care really are beneficial all round.
So how can we ensure we are feeling these amazing benefits regularly?
Here are 5 reminders of how you can put yourself first, especially when you’re running a busy routine:
Set Boundaries: Say no! Ok, this can be a hard one but setting boundaries is essential to protect your time and energy. Remember the last time you said yes to something you really didn’t want to do? Recognise where you can say no and create more time for you.
Mini-Moments: Sometimes you don’t know when these moments are going to come so it's good to get into a habit of turning small breaks into self-care moments. Breathe deeply, sip herbal tea, get some fresh air. Whatever it is, switching off for a couple of minutes and feeling more present can make all the difference.
Move Your Body: When we’re regularly releasing those happy endorphins our mood significantly improves, let alone how we look and feel about ourselves when we look in the mirror. It doesn’t matter what it is you like to do to get your body moving make sure there is time in your diary for this.
Tech Detox: It’s so easy to get consumed by newsfeeds, reels or whatever social app you find yourself going to on a regular basis. Scheduling time to disconnect from this for a while does help to detox your mind. Find something that you can swop scrolling for and notice the positive change.
Mindfulness and Meditation: Including mindfulness practices into your daily routine such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga can help you stay present and help to reduce stress as well as contribute to a positive mindset.
When self-care becomes part of your daily routine it’s easier to feel more balanced. Because, when you take care of you, you can take care of all areas of your life with a greater sense of positivity and wellness.
Remember, self-care isn't selfish; it's essential for a happier and more fulfilled life. So, start today by taking small steps to make yourself a priority and watch as your life becomes more balanced.
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