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:

Eat a quick and healthy snack. It won’t ta ke 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.

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.

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.

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.

In ten minutes , you can:

Make a “grateful for” list. Making a list of things that you are grateful for can be done in just a few minutes, and it can help bring things back into perspective and level your mood.

Enjoy a stroll down memory lane. Scroll through pictures on your phone that make you happy and bring back good memories. This will boost the happy chemicals in your brain and is sure to have you feeling more relaxed in no time.

Read something motivational or watch a Ted Talk. Ted Talks are often less than 10 minutes long and can be a quick way to remind yourself of how great you are. You can also read something motivational. Try buying a book of motivational quotes or read your favorite Bible verses if you’re religious.

Those are just a few ideas of things you can do when you’re short on time to make sure you make time for you. Other things that will help you feel your best include eating a balanced diet and drinking plenty of water. Find a hobby that you enjoy and make sure you devote time to it several times a week. Even if you feel like you’d rather just veg out in front of the TV, making time to work on a small craft or other hobby will probably make you feel better than television.

Photo by Willow Wood

Making time for yourself is essential. If you’re not in tip - top shape, you can’t effectively care for others. This includes your significant other, your children, your elderly family you may care for, and even your coworkers. If you’re feeling run down, you won’t be as productive at work. Start small and begin showing yourself some love and attention today.