The pandemic has forced us to pause the everyday tasks that kept us busy. Taking the kids to school and sports practice, work projects, meetings, errands — you name it — our days were packed full.
This time has also opened the conversation surrounding self-care and mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. Here are our tips to help you make time for yourself.
Start the Day Off Right
Before starting your day, it’s important that you set the tone. Begin with exercise, meditation, a nature walk or hike, prayer, or whatever works for you. Setting your day allows you to center yourself. Be sure to schedule this time as well. This practice usually works best first thing in the morning right after waking up.
Starting your day off right also allows you to prepare yourself mentally for upcoming tasks and helps you look at any problems that arise from a different point of view. Instead of stressing over everything you have to accomplish in a day, you’ll have a clear mind to find a solution and take on tasks like a champ.
Disconnect From Your Phone & Social Media
The technology age is a blessing and a curse. It allows us to have information right at our fingertips. It makes it easy to connect with anyone around the world right from our phones, tablets, and computers.
But being connected to technology can also cause burnout. The need to be on our phones and social media 24/7 is stressful and causes us to miss out on important moments. It also keeps us from connecting with ourselves.
To break the habit of needing your phone, take baby steps. Start with going phone-free at dinner or while hanging out with your friends and loved ones. Disconnect your phone headset from your car and respond to all missed calls or messages once you arrive at your destination.
If they aren’t emergencies, let your callers know you’ll call or text later via an automated text. (You can set this up in your phone settings.) It takes off the pressure of being immediately available and allows you time for yourself, even if it’s just five minutes.
Give Yourself a Day of Rest
Allowing yourself one day to regroup will give you the extra boost you need. Whichever day you choose, make sure you make a conscious effort to avoid anything that will disrupt your peace.
If that means staying off social media for the day, then so be it. This is the one day where you do that thing that satisfies your mind, body, and soul. If you need to sleep the day away, have at it. If it brings you joy, that’s all that matters.
You may want to schedule this day into your calendar. Be intentional with how you organize your tasks for the week, and make sure nothing gets in the way of your scheduled day of rest. You can be flexible as to what day it is — just make sure you take it. It will be well worth it in the end.
Create Hard Stop Times
This is a great reminder and a hard habit to break, especially for business owners or workers tackling a task with a tight deadline. We live in a culture where it’s frowned upon to take a vacation. Believe it or not, that’s not healthy.
It’s important that we put limits on the tasks that will take us to our breaking point. If your schedule is 9-to-5, then you stop at 5 p.m., no if, ands, or buts about it. Having a hard stop time when you are done working is a method of self-care, and it’s something you should not feel guilty about. The work will be there tomorrow, but there’s a chance that you won’t be. Remember to take care of you!
Say No
Saying “no” is so liberating. Telling someone “no” does not mean you are hurting their feelings. It allows you to set healthy boundaries and only take on tasks or projects that will not cause you unnecessary stress.
