During life’s busy seasons, it can become extremely difficult to take care of yourself. Often times our self care skills get put on the back burner.
Today we’re talking about creating a self care plan for when life gets crazy.
How to hone your self care skills
When things get wild in my life, self care is often the first thing to go. I’m not talking about the more glamorous aspects of self care either. There have definitely been times when my basic needs aren’t being met because I’ve stretched myself too thin.
So as we head into a new DECADE, I thought I would share some of my tips (and let’s be real, things I am still working on myself) for creating a self care plan.
Social media detox
I know, I know, this is easier said than done. But if possible, you should always try to keep away from social media when life is being difficult.
It’s amaaaaazing how much of a time suck social media can be. PLUS it can make you feel bad about yourself if you get trapped in the FOMO or comparing cycles.
Stepping away from social media will not only save you some potentially valuable time, but it also helps you get away from the general toxicity of social media.
If you feel you must use social media as a distraction, stick to things like Pinterest which in general can be used for more positive things and less toxic vitriol. And try to limit your sessions to productive things like positive
Sneak in exercise and make it fun!
You may not have time to exercise, but you probably have time to exercise while doing other things.
There are plenty of exercise routines that you can do while doing other things.For example, need to make some phone calls? Why not take a long walk while doing them? You get things done and you get some exercise, it’s a win-win.
How about dancing a little while you clean up the house? Those extra booty shakes add up, plus it makes your more mundane chores more tolerable and light-hearted.
Move your body without judgement, because it all “counts” as exercise!
Get help when you need it
You probably don’t like to be a bother to others, and that’s admirable, but sometimes when life has you down, it is a good idea to swallow your pride and call in some backup. If you need help with kids, don’t be afraid to call in the grandparents. Try asking siblings or close friends for help.
If your financial situation allows, bring in some hired help. A housecleaner, even once or twice a month or a handyman to help with those chores you’ve been avoiding can really be beneficial.
Not only does it free up your time, but also gives you a little headspace by removing those things that are becoming mental blocks in your life. This leaves you clear headed enough to work on the other aspects of your self care plan!
Meal prep healthy foods
A lot of people resort to unhealthy junk food when life gets really busy, myself included. The LAST thing I want to do after a hectic day is try to put together a decent meal when I’m already hangry.
Cooking healthy meals in advance is both cost-effective and very easy. Pick a day, preferably near the start of the week, and start cooking! This can even be done as a monthly freezer cooking day, but don’t feel like you have to make it a huge production.
Don’t forget this is supposed to make your life easier, so don’t over-complicate things! Meal prep is a chore but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Find a few favorite inexpensive, healthy freezer cooking recipes. Then, during the busy workweek, you simply have to take out the meal, put it in the oven or microwave, and you have a healthy, delicious meal ready to go!
Make time for rest!
Getting enough sleep is often overlooked in the hustle and bustle of the holidays or stressful and busy times. BIG mistake. HUGE.
Believe it or not though, rest is one of the hardest self-care skills for people to master. I know for myself, I tend to beat myself up for being “lazy” or “unproductive” and I have to remember that rest is a crucial self care skill and it needs to be intentional.
When you’re busy, rest is even more important. If slowing down to rest and sleep seems difficult for you, start with quiet time where you just sit and focus on your breathing.
For me, I prefer a guided meditation like the Calm app, or Headspace. These apps make mindfulness and slowing down a whole lot easier when you can give up all control and all the decisions are made for you.
If you don’t make rest a priority during busy times, you wind up putting your whole body and well-being at risk. People often say if you don’t stop to rest your body will do it for you, often in the form of an illness or injury.
Don’t overwork your body to the point of it shutting down. Be kind to your body, make a self care plan and stick to it! Build time for rest and self care into your schedule and you’ll be a happier, more productive person!
What are some self care skills you want to work on?