Being too busy has become the new norm and worn as a badge of honor but being too busy can be detrimental to your health. So in this blog post instead of using the work "‘busy’ I am going to use the word ‘priority’. It automatically changes the view point of our topic.
Everyone has a lot of priorities in their lives which makes taking time out to look after yourself a bit of a luxury. So we tend to keep pushing ourselves hoping to get on top of things but eventually end up at the point of exhaustion.
Taking time to do some simple self care habits regularly may help to avoid burnout and keep stress levels more manageable. It can also help you function at your best so you end up being more efficient and productive. Try these 3 tips to start your journey of self care.
No matter how many priorities you have you should always make time for your body. Exercise is not only good for your overall physical health but your mental health too. The weather in Albany, WA doesn’t always help when it comes to getting outdoors for exercise so try something new. Try swimming or yoga or dance classes. Check out the Australian Physical Activity Guideline for the average amount of exercise you should be getting.
Emotional well being plays a very important part in avoiding burnout. The first step is to recognize that your thoughts can impact your bodies ability to function. Now try this simple exercise. Write down all the things you say about yourself, both positive and negative. Go on… Write it down. Next to each line, write down if this is something you were told or if it was something you made up about yourself. An example could be “ I am not a good friend” This is something that I’ve made up about myself because I have lost a few friends over the years. Now Write down all the things that you are doing that is the opposite of this. e.g I am helpful, caring, nurturing, fun and approachable. Once you’ve figured out that the excuses you’ve been telling yourself are fooling nobody you can start telling yourself that you deserve it e.g I am a good friend because I am helpful, caring, nurturing, fun and approachable.
Spend your time and money on things that matter to you. For example if you love spending time with your family then spend the money on booking a weekend away with them. If you feel recharged after doing yoga then spend your money on some classes where you can do more and maybe even learn more techniques. If you love a sport then you might want to invest in good equipment to help you be your best and do more of what make you feel good. There are only 24hrs in a day. What you do with self care time can help you live a happier and more motivated life.
If you are struggling with your priorities then please ask for help. There is no more time we can create only how you deal with time. Be productive by getting your priorities set.
