Ten Self-Care Suggestions for People with No Time (And Who Need It Most)
Self-care is an essential coping strategy when stress levels are sky-high, and everyone is working twice as hard to keep up with the pace of life. But many of the suggestions for self-care suggested by mainstream media are, at best, inconvenient and, at worst impossible for many people. For example, aside from the practical complexity of having a shower but no bath, thus making a luxurious bubble bath surrounded by candles impossible, there may also be difficulty in finding the time to run it and lie in it.
Of course, there is an inescapable irony in that the people with little time for self-care are almost certainly the people who need it most. And that's why it's vital to have some strategies for relaxing and giving your mind a break that can slot into a busy schedule. And the Mayo Clinic confirms that even small acts of self-care or kindness can significantly decrease exhaustion, stress, and depression.
So what is self-care, and how does it make such a difference? The US National Institute of Mental Health states that self-care is investing time into things that help you live well and improve your physical and mental health. It seems logical to conclude from this that self-care activities should have the characteristics of being rejuvenating and enjoyable, giving rather than depleting energy, and something that perhaps gives extended benefits such as better sleep or a more positive outlook.
With the parameters defined, here are ten suggested ways to take some time to care for yourself, even in a busy schedule, creating the rejuvenating and enjoyable vibe that is so important.
Zone out: Watch an episode of your favorite series, or play your favorite game. Distracting yourself from the day-to-day pressures that buzz around in your mind is a perfect way to give your brain some downtime, and it's a great way to switch off from work at the end of the day.
De-clutter a much-used space: Maybe it's your desk, the kitchen, or even your inbox! The point is that taking 15-20 minutes to tidy up and clear away the clutter in a space you use often is a liberating and cleansing experience. And there's the bonus that if you can keep the area tidy, your enjoyment will extend further.
Give your eyes a rest: Most of us spend far too much time in front of a screen, whether on a PC or a phone. As a result, our eyes get tired and dry, but they are often the last thing we consider when caring for ourselves. To rejuvenate them, first, place a warm compress gently over your closed eyes. Then, after a few minutes, replace the warm compress with a cool one to increase the blood flow. The effect will be soothing and will make your eyes appear more alert and awake.
Be in nature: If you can take a lunch break, find a spot with as much nature as possible. Spend 10-15 minutes paying attention to the birds or the breeze blowing through the trees. Look for anything that connects you with nature. Take deep breaths and feel the sun on your skin. This is very grounding and breaks your focus on the business of life.
Pamper yourself in small ways: Few of us have time to go for a spa day, but you can bring the spa to you. Treat yourself to a luxurious hand cream, and make time each day to lavish your hands and enjoy the scent as you rub it into your skin. Close your eyes as you apply it and lose yourself in the moment.
Practice daily gratitude: Keep this as simple as it needs to be to fit into your daily routine. Reflect and select three things that have happened the preceding day that make you feel grateful. You can do this in bed, in the shower, or wherever else you can have uninterrupted time by yourself. But be sure to feel the gratitude. Initially, it will feel odd, but if you can form the habit, it will change how you look at life.
Expand your mind: The key here is to find a way to do this that best uses your time. Find an audiobook or podcast that piques your interest and listen to it as you travel to or from work or run errands. Your journeys and errands will become enjoyable as you delve into exciting subjects.
Protect your mind: The news is full of doom and gloom, and with technology at our fingertips, it can be hard to avoid negativity. Take a moment to reflect on the things that drain you the most, and stop exposing yourself to them. It may be the morning news as you get ready for work. If so, turn it off. It could be a social media platform is draining you of energy, and if it is, deactivate or mute your account for a few weeks. Protect your mind at all costs.
A change of scenery: They say a change is as good as a rest, but it doesn't have to be huge. If you work from home, move your laptop to a different place, and if you are in the office and have no flexibility to change where you sit, think about taking another route home or going somewhere new for lunch. Mix it up a bit and enjoy the difference it makes.
Be kind to yourself: This one takes a bit of practice, but on the upside, it doesn't take any time out of your day. Pay attention to your thoughts and pick up on the ones that run you down. For example, if you spill a cup of coffee and your inner monologue chastises you, notice and diffuse it. Remind yourself that you're busy, and accidents happen. The more you do this, the easier it gets, and you may even find yourself surprised by how often you run yourself down!
And there you have it - ten ways to build small acts of self-care into your life. The more of them you can embrace and build into your daily routine, the greater the benefits you will experience. If you can find a way to do this, you will have a better balance in your life and can look forward to improved overall health and well-being, all without creating extra pressure for yourself.
