You’ve probably heard something like it before, "if you don’t keep your own cup full, how can you continue to help fill the cups of others?" With busy schedules, it’s easy to understand why self-care takes a backseat in daily routines. However, the busier you are, the more critical it is to set aside time to care for yourself.
Self-care means something different to each individual, but the core idea of self-care is to engage in an activity that helps calm your thoughts and replenish your energy. Common self-care techniques include meditation, yoga, nature walks, mindfulness, and coloring, but is not limited to these types of activities. For example, mountain biking or cooking may help calm your mind and reconnect you with yourself. I’ve even heard from individuals who have shared that cleaning is a self-care strategy that they use to help them slow down their thoughts and to disengage from day to day stressors.
Self-care can take as little as a few minutes and depending on your activity, may require nothing more than a quiet space. It is best if you can work self-care into your routine in a way that supports your day rather than causing additional stress or worry. Mindfulness meditation for example, can be fit into your day first thing in the morning or before bed. Taking a walk with your dog or coloring with kids or family members are other options to fit a little self-care into your already busy day. It is worth noting that it's important that self-care not develop into a chore, otherwise it won’t serve its purpose of helping you quiet your mind from the noise of your day.
Self-care is a critical step in supporting your own wellbeing and further, engaging in self-care communicates to those around you that they have permission to care for themselves as well. In addition to calming your mind, engaging in self-care can help you manage and even reduce your experience of stress and anxiety.
Take a moment
Take five minutes today to engage in an activity that calms you and takes your mind off of your task list. Schedule the time on your calendar or take five minutes after reading this post. After the five minutes are up, take note of how you are feeling. Did the activity help slow your breath? Do you notice your heart beating slower? What was it like to calm your thoughts?
Additional Resources
For calming music, nature sounds, and soothing rhythms, try listening to Spa Radio on Pandora.
Choose from hundreds of printable coloring pages here.
Visit this website for a guided deep breathing exercise to slow your breath.