When do you allocate time for self-care, look at your own life and make decisions for the future? Today, I share with you my tips on how to make self-care a priority in your life.
When to take action?
NOW – Most people see the New Year as a new start. I personally use the summer months, a source of vitamin D, to make some self-care decisions in my own life. At times, life can be so hectic that you begin to be last in your list of priorities, and this is when both your physical and mental health can be at risk of decline. This has happened to me, and let me assure you from personal experience, it is not worth it!
Inventory of self
I advise you to make an inventory of your day and of your week; to be able to identify just how little ‘me’ time there is for your health and wellbeing. Following on from this try to make a list of how you can enhance your own self-care and then gradually integrate a little self-care every day to help you to connect to your individual wants and needs.
Ideas to enhance your self-care
Self-care can be a simple daily activity, for example a 5-minute meditation. It doesn’t have to interfere with other plans, but it must be aimed at helping you to nurture yourself. Acts of self-care personally allow me to ‘check-in’ with myself, to reassess my individual needs and to become in ‘sync’ with my emotions. Self-care doesn’t have to cost a lot of money or take up a lot of your time, the following will give you a few ideas to help:
- Say ‘NO’ – Be empowered. Do not be afraid to say no to events and meet ups with friends and family that do not fulfil or inspire you! Better to stay in snuggled up on the sofa and watch a good ‘feel-good’ movie then to put yourself through something you really would prefer not to have to do.
- Reconnect – Make a conscious effort to connect with a friend or family member who you have not seen for ages. Connecting with someone you care about, and have missed seeing and sharing time with, will have a dramatic effect on your overall mood and wellbeing.
- Drink more – Make a conscious effort to drink more water on a daily basis, instead of beating yourself up for not doing it, simply start to do it! Consuming water and being hydrated is a great idea, as it is something that your body both loves and needs. This simple habitual act is a form of love and self-care for self.
I love a bit of self- care and I never gave time to it, especially in my twenties. I practice those ideas above on a daily, weekly and monthly basis, since my mid-thirties, as I feel that I know who I am and what I want. Prior to my thirties I was always putting others needs first, which at times made me feel very stressed, unhappy and pretty resentful. My self-care was not a priority, so I was not my best self. Those around me became frustrated as I started my quest to nurture myself, as more time was away from them and their needs. I quickly learnt that perhaps they were not the best support to have in my life. I also learnt that taking time for myself meant that the people in my life appreciated me more, when I was not there all the time. This ultimately led to enhanced and more fulfilled relationships with others who I chose to have in my life. Self-care has to be a CHOICE to engage in activities that will maintain your overall physical and mental health.
Good Luck in your quest for self-care. Please comment and add all the ideas that you come up with and have tried and tested. After all, to share is to care. I look forward to hearing from you all.
