Do you ever forget to take care of yourself?
I know. You are busy, and finding the time to take proper care of yourself can be hard. But if you do not, it will not be long before you are burnt out from exhaustion and operating in a mental fog where it is hard to care about anything or anyone.
I should know.
About 7 years ago, as I was chasing my dreams to become a top ranked fitness competitor and scaling my online coaching business, I suffered a complete burn out. Adrenal fatigue, hormone imbalance, chronic exhaustion — I could barely get out of bed most days. I was working 60+ hours per week and had let my self care go in the pursuit of excellence.
Since that time I have learned the importance of self care and have made it a priority to schedule non-negotiable, self care days to recharge my body, mind and soul. I also help my coaching clients establish realistic and doable self care routines as this ultimately becomes their launch pad to achieve their greatest selves.
Now what is Self-Care and how can you make time for this in your hectic schedule? Self care has come to mean all kinds of things from spa days to retreats to clean eating, and that can leave many of us feeling like it is beyond our reach. If we strip it back to basics, however, we can all make time for self-care with a few actionable and achievable goals to get us on the right track when we are struggling. Here are 10 of my top self care practices that help me feel reconnected, centered and energized daily.
1. Do Something You Love
There are so many things we feel we have to do that most of the things we want to do get pushed to the side. We can all make a bit of time, though, to do something we love that makes us happy and feel inspired. Even if that is just 10 minutes of listening to a podcast, or 30 minutes baking a healthy dessert, it will help improve your mood.
2. Spend Time With Your Favorite People
You cannot beat quality time with friends and family, but that often falls by the wayside. If all you can manage is a quick phone call, that is a great start. Meeting up in person is even better, though, as the physical interaction will make you feel good, too.
3. Mindfulness While Eating
So many of us are so pushed for time at work that eating can become a functional part of life, as we wolf down a sandwich at our desk. This is not great for our bodies, minds, or souls. Making time to slowly enjoy our food, really enjoy the taste and smells, uninterrupted by tasks and staying off our phones, is an important part of taking care of ourselves.
4. Try Journaling
Putting pen to paper is a powerful action of self reflection and connection. Start with making a list of the things you are grateful for and flow from there. This is one of my favorite practices daily and I incorporate this in my 10 minutes of morning mindfulness routine.
5. Rock That Special Outfit
All too often we save "special" things for "special" occasions. Your living and that is a special occasion so why wait to wear those beautiful heels or dress? Every day we are alive is a special day on its own terms. Wear the shoes. Rock the dress!
6. Take a Long Bath or Schedule a Spa Day
When you are rushing around with what feels like a million things to do, washing can become a purely practical part of your life. I use lavender bath salts and essential oil diffuser to help my mind relax fully. Make time now and then to really enjoy a warm bath though, and you will find it is such an easy way to relax.
7. Get a Good Night's Sleep
Getting optimal sleep is one of the most important parts of caring for yourself, and will help you in so many ways. Work towards the ideal goal of 8 hours per night.
8. Say No When You Need To
Healthy boundaries are imperative for your self care. Do not be afraid to be honest with people when you are feeling overwhelmed, whether that is your boss, your partner, or your friends. If you simply do not want to do something and it does not align with your goals or purpose then get comfortable saying no.
9. Move Your Body and Get Outside
Exercise is beneficial in so many ways, but you do not have to sign up to a gym or commit to a grueling fitness regime to make a change. Simply going for a walk in a beautiful setting or dancing at home to your favorite music will get those endorphins released! SO GET MOVING.
10. Mirror Work
1 minute of mirror work daily is one of my favorite self care rituals and one that has helped me appreciate my body on another level. Look in the mirror and say out loud 3 things you love about your body and 3 things you appreciate about your body. You cannot hate yourself into a version you love so start speaking positively to your body and watch great things unfold for you.
Little and Often Wins the Day
With a little bit of attention to your own self-care, the fog will lift. You will feel more connected to yourself and the world around you. You will delight in small pleasures, and nothing will seem quite as challenging as it did before.
Incorporating a few of these tiny self-care ideas in your day will help keep you in tune.
Which one will you try first?
Remember we all choose where we invest our time so choose wisely and design an inspiring routine that helps you thrive! You have always got this!
For more information on my 1x1 Online Coaching or Wellness Retreats, visit me today.
