How to Prioritize Self-Care in a Way That Works for You
With the hectic pace of life, finding time for self-care can feel impossible sometimes. Especially as women, we are often so busy taking care of others that our care is last on the list. While it may seem indulgent to prioritize your own self-care, it is actually the complete opposite. When you prioritize your own care you are able to show up for those people in your life in a more balanced and healthy way.
You don’t have to leave your self-care to chance or squeeze it in between all of your other tasks. There are a number of ways you can mindfully prioritize your self-care that can work for the busiest of schedules. If you want to make more self-care part of your regular routine (Yes, please!), then try some of these tips:
Identify your needs
Reflect on what self-care means to your wellness and vitality. What things help you feel refreshed, recharged, and energized? Make a list of the self-care practices that you would be excited to do on a regular basis.
Schedule self-care
Once you have identified your self-care needs, make time for them in your weekly or monthly calendar. When you make self-care a part of your schedule, there are fewer chances for it to be interrupted or replaced by another task. Treat your self-care like an important engagement or appointment. Try adding regular self-care activities, such as a yoga class, a walk in nature, a relaxing bath, or a facial to your calendar this month.
Baby steps
You don't have to make big changes to your routine or schedule. Start with some baby steps to incorporate small self-care practices into your daily routine. For example, take a few minutes each day to do 10 minutes of meditation, paint your nails, or do some morning stretches. Even the small things we do for ourselves throughout the day add up to a big impact on our well-being.
Be intentional
Make self-care a priority by genuinely making an effort to incorporate it into your life. Don't wait for spare time to appear, instead, intentionally plan ahead for your care. Consider it like meal planning, but for your mind.
Let go of the guilt
Many people feel guilty about taking time for self-care, but it's important to remember that taking care of yourself is essential for your mental and physical health. Let go of guilt and know that prioritizing self-care is not selfish but necessary for you to be your best version of yourself each day.
Be flexible
It's essential to be flexible and adjust your self-care practices as needed. Life can be unpredictable, and sometimes you can't stick to your usual routine or what you had planned. Be open to trying new self-care practices or adjusting your existing routine to fit your current circumstances. Get creative and be willing to make sacrifices so that your self-care stays near the top of the list.
By prioritizing taking care of yourself, we know you will find that other things fall more easily into place. When you take care of yourself, you can take care of everything and everyone else so much better, with a clear mind and healthy body. We hope you try some of these self-care tips and make a plan to prioritize your self-care this week!
