Self-Care Feels Optional Until it Isn’t
It can be hard to find time for self-care. We get it!
AND, as you may know (and still have a hard time translating to action), self care isn’t optional or “selfish”, it’s self-preservation.
In fact, it’s the most important thing on your ‘to do’ list.
Yet, it often the thing that gets pushed off and deprioritized, especially as life gets busier.
The problem is, when you deprioritize self-care long enough, you end up not being able to do anything else because you’re sick, burnt out, exhausted and out of commission.
Do you ever find that you’re so tired from doing everything that you enjoy none of it? Even the things you usually get a lot of joy out of? We’ve all been there!
Self-care doesn’t need to be perfect or take a lot of time or money. There are simple ways you can care for yourself every day. Think of the things that are most nourishing to you (hey, maybe it’s carving out time to do absolutely nothing!).
If you’re not in the practice of regular, intentional self-care, you may be at a loss as to where to start. Here are a few ideas:
1. Take an extra long shower. If you like, add a few drops of lavender or citrus scented oil before you get in.
2. Make plans to have a meal with a friend or coworker. Maybe breakfast or lunch which aren’t as much of a commitment as dinner (you need to eat!)
3. Have a long commute or stuck in traffic? Pack some yummy, nourishing snacks and a mug of your favorite beverage. Heat up a scented neck wrap to take with you. Find a great audiobook or podcast to listen to. Stretch in your car at stop lights or in stand still traffic.
4. Say no. Whenever you can.
5. Schedule in walks, yoga, exercise classes as you would other commitments and hold yourself to it (not rigidly, welcome rest when you need it during that time too!)
These are just a few simple things you might consider to get self-care in when you’re short on time. This can be an especially important reminder as holidays approach.
Do you have things you find restorative that don’t take a lot of extra time or money? We’d love to hear about them!
