To Your Good Health

Hire a Pro!

Self-Care is Not an Indulgence

By Leslie Byrne

There’s an inspirational quote floating around the internet that goes like this: “She believed she could, so she did.” (It’s from a 2014 book by R.S. Grey.) It’s a valuable sentiment. After all, women can do anything they put their minds to…and quite often, we take on more and more, even when the weight of our responsibilities leaves us feeling overworked and stressed.

Perhaps it’s time for an even more inspiring statement, which has also been making the rounds: “She believed she could, but she was tired, so she didn’t.” This is not about ignoring our responsibilities; it’s about getting some help! This has been a stressful year, when the urge to do everything ourselves was compounded by the need for physical isolation. We’re starting to work together again. Why not hire some help around the house?

Back when we left the house early in the morning and spent the day at work, we could leave our undone chores behind until later. Spending the workday at home, surrounded by household and yard chores that need to be done, can leave us feeling overwhelmed and unable to focus on work.

The wide-ranging stress of the pandemic has brought a steep increase in mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and loneliness. If hiring out a few household tasks can improve your daily life, why not do it? Maybe the time you buy would let you commit to a once-a-week face mask, a phone call with a friend, or a workout routine you’ve been wanting to try. Imagine how great it would feel to have 30 minutes before bed every night, just to read.

Consider which chores or responsibilities around the house cause you stress but could easily be eliminated just by hiring the help. For many of us, that means a cleaning service. House cleaners can come as frequently as you please, from a weekly appointment to an annual deep clean. When you hire out the deep cleaning, the light clean-ups you do throughout the week will go much quicker.

Springtime is time to clean the windows, and that’s a great opportunity to hire out a tedious and difficult job. Professional window cleaners can take care of the inside and outside of your windows, including screens. They have the tools and the safety equipment needed to get every single window, and you won’t have to climb a ladder.

Another quick pick-me-up is to have your carpets professionally cleaned a few times a year. Even if you vacuum regularly and don’t wear shoes indoors, don’t discount the benefits of regular carpet cleaning! A clean carpet just makes the whole room look and feel better. You can’t beat that fresh smell, along with knowing that dirt and allergens are gone. Professional cleaners can also treat many floor coverings to better repel stains, making cleaning easier the next time around.

Is your family one of the millions in the United States that owns a dog? Treat yourself and your furry friend by hiring a dog walker to give your pet some extra time and attention. Better yet, hire a “pooper scooper” service to pick up waste in the yard.

Do you have a list of home improvements or repairs that never seem to get done? Turn that list over to a handyman. Handymen (or handywomen, of course) can fix all those little things that have built up over the years. They work for a flat fee, an hourly fee, or on a per-item basis—be sure to ask ahead of time. They can usually do a wide variety of chores, like painting, replacing baseboards, patching drywall, removing or installing hardware, or fixing stuck windows. If your projects include electrical or plumbing work, be sure to hire a specialist.

Some people love working in the yard, and some people just don’t. Landscaping companies will take care of whatever yard tasks you dislike. If you love maintaining your garden or doing the lawn fertilization, simply hire a lawn service to mow while you do the rest. Otherwise, have them handle it all so you can spend your Saturdays as you please.

Still feel like you should be doing it all yourself? Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Remember, stress is hard on our physical and mental health. It can cause poor sleep, increase blood pressure, compromise the immune system, and increase the chance of cardiac or inflammatory disease. Taking time for yourself is not an indulgence—it’s a vital part of a healthy lifestyle. Make this the month you take a hard look at your home responsibilities and your budget. If there’s a way to achieve a better balance in your life by hiring out your most dreaded tasks, go for it!

Sources for this article included: nbcnews. com, mayoclinic.org, and iii.org.