How to find time for self-care (in 3 simple steps)
When you have been through a sudden or unexpected change or loss (and who hasn’t over the past couple of years?) – looking after yourself is often not a priority.
You are just trying to get through each day.
You probably know that if you spent a bit of time every day meditating or doing some yoga stretches, you would feel so much better afterwards, less stressed and with more energy.
But you have a to do list a mile long, or you have a deadline looming. You can’t meditate or do a few yoga stretches – you simply don’t have the time.
Does this sound familiar?
How can you find time in your busy day to practice self-care?
Does it feel like taking care of yourself is just another commitment to fit in to an already full to bursting day – but then when you don’t do it, you feel guilty?
As your to do list gets even longer and you feel weighed down by more and more things to do – your self-care drops lower and lower on your list of priorities until it gets relegated, added to tomorrow’s list to just go through the whole process again.
Then comes the inevitable guilt about not looking after yourself.
You are not alone. In our very busy lives, it can feel like there isn’t enough time to fit in all our commitments, so self-care takes a back seat.
I say nonsense!
No matter how busy you are, self-care is your No. 1 priority. After all, if you become ill, everything stops – so taking care of yourself makes practical sense. Therefore, YOU are the most important thing.
So, how DO you find time for self-care in your week?
Self-care to do list
A self-care to do list is done the opposite way to a normal to do list. Most to do lists have jobs to be completed, and any time left over is your free time.
Let’s look at this another way:
- Think about what self-care you want to achieve this week. For example, have you been putting off a dental check-up, a daily walk, a trip to the cinema, reading, exercise, coffee with a friend etc? It doesn’t have to be a lot of time, however, aim to find 15-20 minutes a day for you.
- Enter these into your diary / to do list first. Because, you know, you are a priority.
- THEN fill in the rest in the times around it. See – easy!
Benefits
- This method of planning your diary / to do list makes you think about what self-care you need and identifies how you can meet that need.
- It puts your self-care needs where they belong – as a priority in your life.
- It focuses your work time – for example, if you know you are going to the dentist at midday, then you have a deadline to work to which focuses your mind.
- It reduces procrastination. Let’s face it, we all do it – that sneaky look on social media, the browsing of Google under the guise of “research.” We are more prone to procrastination when we DON’T block out time for self-care because we are feeling anxious, stressed, tired….
- You will feel good! It will totally improve your work/life balance, health, reduce stress and burn-out, give you energy and raise your self-esteem.
So, you see, not only can you find time for self-care, but it also has huge benefits for your work, health, and happiness.
It’s time to stop wishing you had more time and commit to putting yourself first.
If you are needing some support in taking care of yourself during a difficult time of change, please contact me. Don’t struggle alone.
07866-960396
Lynnemendelsohncounselling.co.uk
