Self-Care on a Busy Schedule Amanda Knight
We all know how important it is to make time for ourselves. As much as we care for others, it should be a given that we would care for ourselves as well. But in a busy life with a hectic schedule, most of us bump self-care so far down the priority list, we don’t even know it’s there anymore. Self-care is as simple as it sounds- taking care of you. Making sure that you are not neglecting your own well-being as you navigate daily life. Essential self-care habits include getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, knowing how to set limits for yourself, and being able to say “no” to something that may overwhelm you. How are you supposed to make time for self-care when all you have is five or ten minutes here and there? That’s where I come in. I’m going to share some easy ways to show yourself some love when you start to feel like you’re sinking. In five minutes, you can:
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Eat a quick and healthy snack. It won’t take long to eat an apple or banana. You’re getting a healthy dose of vitamins and providing a (natural) sugar pick-me-up to boost energy and mood.
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Meditate. Most people think of meditation as sitting on the floor in a special position, muttering “ohm” under your breath. Lucky for you, all you need to do is close your eyes and focus on your breath and soothing thoughts. No weird looks required. Even a couple minutes of this has been shown to revitalize and reenergize.
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Listen to a favorite song or two. When you’re feeling that afternoon slump coming on, pop in your earbuds and enjoy those couple songs that always bring a smile to your face.
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Take a quick walk. This doesn’t mean you need to put on the athletic shoes and hit the trail. Take a quick walk around your workplace. Simply getting up and getting your blood pumping will be a great pick-me-up to wake you up and improve your mood.
