Hopefully everyone is having a relaxing holiday season but I know for some people, it can be the most stressful time of year—there are more events to attend, deadlines to meet, gifts to buy or send out, etc. So if you’re feeling like you’re stretched too thin lately (or any time, really), I thought of some tips for how to practice a little self-care. Some of this info you’ve heard from me before and some of this is common knowledge, but I find that everyone benefits from a refresher now and again. Hope this helps you, too!
If you’ve been feeling like crap lately, make sure you’re eating well, sleeping well, and drinking tons of water. It’s easy for some basic things to slip our minds when we’re busy or on-the-go. Like bringing water with you if you’re traveling and remembering to drink it regularly. And sleep is often the first thing that gets sacrificed when we feel like we don’t have enough time in a day to get everything done. As for eating well…well, sometimes you feel like crap if you eat like crap. So if you find yourself constantly tired or crashing, it might be diet-related. And of course, exercise as often as you can! A bonus is that exercise will lift your mood, and you might find it to be a welcome break to your day.
On a similar note, make time for yourself. Whether that’s to work out, go out for a walk, write in a journal, read a book, meditate, etc., take some time for yourself. If you find social functions stressful, a little solitary time can help you recharge. This is also the time of year that most people reflect on the past year and think about what will come next, which can cause some anxiety and pressure. Try to be kind to yourself and focus on the positives—how you grew as a person despite any challenges or setbacks that you may have had.
Practicing gratitude for the people or things that you have in your life is a good way to help you remember the positives and bring back some perspective if you’re feeling overwhelmed, too. We oftentimes get stuck in the day-to-day quagmires that we lose sight of the bigger picture and what’s truly important. Tied into this is just being mindful and existing in the present. People often recommend disconnecting from your phones and trying to focus on the here and now. Sometimes that’s easier said than done, but it really does make a difference. If you’ve ever wanted to just disconnect from the rest of the world for a few days, you’ll really appreciate this.
Personally, I’m not really one to do a lot of self-care. It’s hard for me to find time to relax or disengage with the rest of the world because I’m always looking forward to the next thing and a big part of my business requires social engagement. I try to push myself in everything I do, but that usually comes at the price of my mental health. So I could probably take a lot of my own tips on self-care. But as I get older and my life becomes more hectic, I’ve learned the value of taking time for yourself. So my hope is that you, too, can gain something from reading this. If you take the time to work on your body, remember to also work on your mind.
