Practicing self-care isn’t easy when most of your free time is consumed by work, technology, and other responsibilities. Let’s face it, there just aren’t enough hours in the day and ‘me-time’ is usually last on the to-do list. Sometimes you even feel guilty for taking time for yourself, so getting started with self-care is not an easy process.
Here are 5 easy self-care practices you can do guilt-free
1. Prioritize Sleep
Sleep affects your emotional, physical, and mental health. This means that not getting enough quality sleep each night can have a disastrous affect on your body and can cause health issues (psycologytoday.com). So what are some things that could be preventing you from catching those blissful Z’s? Let’s talk about stress and how to manage it! Reducing things that cause you to feel stressed before bed can help improve the quality and duration of your sleep. Work-related stress can be bettered by creating to-do lists and planning your day ahead of time. Another huge helper: avoiding caffeine before going to bed.
2. Eat Well
You’ve heard it all before: eat more green stuff and less sugar, blah blah blah. Here’s a twist, don’t get rid of foods that make you happy! The key is moderate consumption of those sugary snacks and tasty beverages, and adding more vegetables and fruits in between. Shoot for a balance that makes you feel your best and gives you enough energy to accomplish everything you want to do!
3. Exercise
You don’t have to burn yourself out at the gym or on mile-long runs in the sweltering Georgia summer. Instead, try taking the stairs more or parking your car farther away from the store. Small, simple changes can improve your overall physical health and keep you feeling refreshed and content.
4. Say No
One of our favorites, learn to put your needs first. We’re not saying you have to turn all your friends or coworkers down when they ask for something, but make sure you consider your mental wellbeing and your own priorities before accepting other tasks. Can you help them and still finish what you need to get done? If the answer is no, or “Yes, but I will be more stressed until I finish,” it’s not worth it.
5. Go Outside
Yes, it’s getting hotter and the bugs are getting buggier, but being outside forces your mind to slow down. You should be away from technology so you’re not tempted by those incessant work emails. Take a deep breath, listen to the calming sounds of wildlife around you, and be content living in the moment. Maybe take the opportunity to play a game with your family or take your dog on a walk; the goal is to change up your environment and get rid of your cluttered thoughts.
You should never feel guilty about taking care of yourself, especially during all of the craziness we are facing right now. Take some time out of your busy day to check in with yourself, maybe go outside during your lunch break or read that book that’s been collecting dust on your shelf.
What are some ways you practice self-care? Let us know on our Facebook page at Customized Insurance Brokers!
Comments