Does your “to-do” list seem endless? A busy schedule may make it difficult to create space for self-care.
Making time to rest and regroup is essential to your physical and emotional wellbeing. The benefits include:
- Increased stress management
- Stronger immune system
- Higher energy levels
These tips may help you prioritize self-care:
- Define self-care. Only you can determine what self-care means to you. Choose activities that decrease stress and build resilience.
- Schedule self-care. Put at least one self-care activity on your daily calendar or to-do list. Consider scheduling this activity for the afternoon or evening. This gives you something to look forward to as the day progresses.
- Vary activities. Periodically shaking up your self-care routine will keep you from falling into a rut. Be open to trying new things and adjusting your self-care plans to fit your mood.
- Manage your time and energy. Overscheduling is one of the main reasons why people neglect self-care. Create a manageable to-do list that leaves time for last minute tasks or emergencies. Concentrate on “must do” tasks first so that you can focus on long-term projects in the afternoon. Set a defined end time to your workday, even when working from home.
- Monitor your needs. Some days may require more self-care than others. A stressful event, difficult loss, or disagreement with a loved one may require more extensive recharging. Listen to your body and mind.
- Say “no.” Knowing when to set limits is an important part of self-care. There is nothing wrong with skipping a party for a quiet night at home. Do what is right for you.
Source: Life Advantages
