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Magazines and experts alike suggest integrating a self-care routine into your daily lifestyle. Yet, between work and parenting responsibilities, finding time to go to the gym daily or meditating in a quiet environment isn’t always possible. This guide is for busy people, the ones who are constantly on the go but also recognize that self-care is important.
Know When To Ask for Help
For many, it’s not easy to ask for help. Even when people are to help, you may be inclined to turn them down out of pride or independence. Everyone needs a few minutes to themselves, and if you find that work and home responsibilities prevent that, it may be helpful to take a family member or friend up on that offer to help. If childcare is limited, find self-care things you enjoy close to home. Take a short walk at a nearby park. Splurge on your favorite coffee or meal after a long week.
Focus On Good Quality Sleep
Sleep may be more important to your overall health and well-being than you realize. While it varies, most experts recommend somewhere between seven to nine hours of sleep per night. Try to prepare for bed sooner, which may include staying off your phone or turning off the TV earlier at night. If adding hours to your sleep isn’t a possibility, try to improve the quality of the sleep you are getting. Consider what may be inhibiting your sleep, like the use of technology or too many loud noises.
Add One Healthy Meal to Your Week
Your diet also plays an important role in your overall well-being. While replacing your current meals with a full week of healthy ones may not be realistic for busy families, small changes can also make a difference. Try to integrate one healthy meal into your week, and work on adding one or two more once this becomes routine. Swap out one lunch for a healthy salad. Serve a new vegetable with your usual dinner plans.
Opt for a healthier meal when dining out with friends. Even small changes to your favorite dishes can make a huge difference. Order your favorite coffee in the morning with low-fat milk and nonsugar ingredients. When grocery shopping, try to swap out your usual butter or milk with healthier options.
Dedicate an Hour To Learning More About Yourself
Self-care also means understanding where you come from and how your upbringing influences your thoughts. By learning about yourself, you can identify any desired areas of improvement. You can also be clearer with others about what you need to feel fulfilled. Journaling is an excellent way to reflect on yourself. An hour-long therapy session is also a great option for those who want something more guided.
A big part of counseling is also stress identification and relief. Stress can negatively affect our daily lives, sometimes leading to feelings of anxiety or depression. Stress can also reduce sleep quality and put you at risk of more illnesses. Your psychologist can help you identify stress triggers while also coming up with techniques to overcome them.
A psychologist from San Francisco, CA can help you explore and overcome difficulty sleeping, managing stress, marriage problems, or other life improvement areas. If once per week is too much, you also have control over how often you visit your counselor.
Disconnect
Dedicating a certain period of time to avoiding technology can also help you unwind and relax after a long day. Allocate a few minutes each morning while you sip your coffee to avoid technology. Your emails and phone calls can wait a few minutes. If you’re more of a night person, give yourself a few minutes before getting into bed to sit back and think about your mental health and well-being.
If possible, adding a few minutes of disconnect throughout your workday can also make a difference. Try to avoid phone calls or text messages during your lunch break. Set up an automatic email reply once you leave the office for the day so you can transition to family time and duties.
Push the Feelings of Guilt Aside
You don’t have to feel guilty about practicing self-care. Self-care is an action that prioritizes your well-being, and when you’re fulfilled and energized, you have more to offer others. You’ll find that you’re more present for your coworkers and family members, often noticing a boost in productivity and overall satisfaction. This also allows you to be a good role model for self-care.
Self-care doesn’t require hours of your week. Even the busiest workers or constantly on-the-go moms can practice self-care with just an hour or less per week. Making small changes has the potential to pave the way for lasting change. Eventually, you’ll find that self-care has become a priority in your life.
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