When you find yourself placing self-care at the bottom of your priority list, like many of us do, you may be at risk of burning out, becoming depressed and even getting sick. We’ve found a few ways you can take care of yourself without taking away from your other priorities. Answer the questions below to see if your self-care is up to par!
Do You Put Yourself in Time-out?
If you answered yes to this question, then you’re right on track! One of the most important times to redirect your mind and relax is when you become overly stressed and frustrated. Many people find taking a break when they feel overwhelmed can help relieve stress and frustration, allowing them to return to what they were doing with a clear mind.
Do You Eat Your Meals on the Run?
If your idea of breakfast is a tall coffee and a muffin on the way to the office, don’t feel bad. We all fall into that habit occasionally. But when it comes to taking care of yourself, this is a biggie!
Make time to eat a sit-down meal whenever possible. This leads to healthier food choices, better digestion and more energy. As difficult as it can be, don’t work while you have your lunch. Clock out long enough to have a healthy meal.
Is Exercise a Priority for You?
Exercise is good for your body and your mind, so it’s an important part of taking care of yourself. If you can’t commit to going to the gym, try to go for a brisk walk or do some deskside stretches when you’re on break at work.
You might find the more exercise you get, the more you want to exercise. A good workout triggers endorphins and burns cortisol produced by stress, which makes exercise a great stress reliever as well as a healthy practice.
How Often Do You Enjoy Your Hobbies?
You may feel like you have too much work and too many responsibilities to “waste” time on your hobbies. Hobbies engage the mind, stir the imagination and nourish the spirit.
Rediscover your passion. Make time to enjoy your hobbies to keep yourself on an even keel. If you have to, schedule a few hours every week to spend on something you enjoy.
Are You Holding in Anger?
Everyone gets angry sometimes, but if you’re holding in anger, it can color your moods. Express anger, vent frustration and come to terms with the things you dislike.
Whether you confront the person who’s angering you or sort it out in a journal, you might find you’re much less angry and stressed.
Do You Have Planned Events You Look Forward To?
Living day to day in a work, sleep, repeat pattern can be downright depressing. Check out your calendar and see what you have to look forward to. If nothing’s there, make some plans. A girl’s lunch, drinks with your sweetie, a concert or a movie are all things you might enjoy that will break the monotony of your routine.
Have You Been to the Doctor This Year?
Visiting the Urgent Care for a strep test doesn’t count as going to the doctor! Remember when you were a child and had to have a check-up at least once a year?
Make that a habit for yourself as an adult as well. These appointments will help make sure your body is in good shape and can be helpful in the early detection of many conditions. Your physical health is just as important as your mental health.
Do You Speak Kindly to Yourself?
We’ve all heard that sticks and stones can break bones, but words don’t hurt. This is a lie. Words and thoughts can have a profound effect on a person’s well-being.
To put yourself in the right frame of mind to praise and encourage yourself in a difficult time, picture a small child. This child is learning to do something and having trouble. What would you say to him or her? Would you call them stupid, useless, slow or a waste of time? Of course, you wouldn’t. So don’t do that to yourself. Whether you think or say the mean words to yourself, they matter.
You may not have a lot of time to spend pampering yourself, but taking care of yourself should be a priority. Make it happen as often as possible. Your physical and mental health affects every aspect of your life, which means you won’t be good for anyone else if you’re not good to yourself.
