Finding Time for You: Quick Self-Care for Busy Lives

Alright, here's the heartfelt truth: self-care often slips through the cracks in my life. Amidst the whirlwind of my current days, where busyness reigns supreme, I find myself wrapped up in work, often equating my worth with my ability to handle a myriad of tasks. If you know me, you know I tend to boast about my jam-packed schedule, all while sacrificing sleep and sidelining my health. It's easy to fall into that workaholic spiral, where self-care becomes a distant thought. After all: Is self-care meant to be a structured routine that you implement on a regular basis, or does its essence lie in those spontaneous, stolen moments where you just decide to take some "me time"?

I came across a thought-provoking piece by Meredith Ethington, titled “Dear Moms: Trips to Target Are Not Self-Care,” and while I'm not yet a mother, her words still resonated deeply with me. She posits that merely meeting basic needs doesn't equate to genuine self-care, especially for women. We often find ourselves so overwhelmed that any brief moment carved out for ourselves feels like self-care, but it's merely survival. On the other end of the spectrum, the allure of luxurious self-care, like indulging in spa days or treating oneself to upscale workout gear weekly, might feel rejuvenating, yet they lack sustainability and aren't realistic on a daily basis.

We frequently deceive ourselves into believing we lack the time to nurture our mind, body, soul, and mental health, but this is a fallacy. Emerging research underscores that even minimal, targeted positive practices can profoundly enhance our well-being.

Let's talk about affirmations. They're a simple yet potent way to care for ourselves. You could indulge in the most opulent spa day or reconnect with friends over brunch, but if your inner dialogue is harsh and unforgiving, these acts of self-care lose their luster. Affirmations serve as gentle whispers of positivity, transforming critical inner voices into ones of support and kindness. They are the subtle but powerful statements that reframe how we view ourselves in the world, turning our inner dialogue from our harshest critic to our most fervent ally.

Then, there’s the magic of simply stepping outside. The act of embracing the outdoors, especially at the start of the day, can sharpen your focus, clear your mind, and inspire healthier choices throughout the day. A dose of sunlight and a breath of fresh air can uplift your spirits and invigorate your energy levels. Even a brief 5-10 minute encounter with the natural world has its benefits, whether you choose to walk, jog, or simply sit and bask in the environment.

If you're looking for a golden key to quickly change your mood, I've got you covered. Engaging your senses of scent and sound is such a quick and wildly efficient way to unwind. Music has a profound ability to elevate our spirits, so start by setting the tone with music that mirrors the mood you want to have (I usually opt into lofi music to relax). Then complement the tunes with a scent that matches; light a candle, burn some incense, or start an essential oil diffuser. Scent profoundly influences our emotions, and choosing the right one can transform your space and mood in mere moments. Just these two elements combined can significantly boost your mood.

Nourishing your body from the inside out is critical for self-care and it starts with what you eat. While it can be daunting to consistently prepare healthy meals, it’s crucial. This blog post isn't sponsored, but I will gladly sing the praises of Factor as a perfect solution for busy people who still want to eat nutritious food. They simplify the process by delivering nutritious meals right to your doorstep and they're actually good. My husband was quite the skeptic (he's the chef out of the two of us, and he's not afraid to be critical) until he actually tried one of their meals, and he was just as impressed as I was. Whether it be Factor or any other similar health-conscious meal delivery service (Thistle, Hungryroot, etc.), it's incredibly nice to delegate the meal prep, planning, grocery shopping, and cooking to an expert who actually knows how to make nutritious food delicious and easy to obtain.

Also, consider embracing a creative hobby. Engaging in creative activities, no matter how simple, like knitting, crafting a vision board, or coloring, can significantly alleviate stress. These activities allow you to dip in and out as time permits, all while nurturing your creative spirit and reducing stress.

Remember, nurturing yourself is both wise and productive. Neglecting your needs and succumbing to burnout is far from prudent. Recovering from burnout is a far steeper climb than investing at least 10-15 minutes daily in yourself.

Take care of yourself,