Every day when you wake up, you have to face the world again. The hustle and bustle of everyday life can seem never-ending from getting your kids ready for school, getting off to work, meeting deadlines or staying late, picking up your children from school, PTA’s, and extra curricular activities. Not to mention playing Superman or Superwoman at work in an effort to guide your client as they battle day-to-day difficulties.
When you finally get home tired with aching muscles, dinner still needs to be made, kids still need help with their homework, or maybe you have noisy roommates who have friends over, perfect timing Jack and Jill. Your days are like a busy highway, and you need some time where your highway has less congestion even if it is just for a few hours.
Self-care seems impossible at times with so many work and family responsibilities in our every day lives. It seems more and more people are balancing family, career, school and/or another part-time job which leaves very limited to no time to take care of themselves. Without self-care, the outcome will only result in burnout and total exhaustion. This can be avoided, but why is it so hard to fit self-care into our schedule?
According to a Huffington Post article, “Self-care refers to activities and practices that we can engage in on a regular basis to reduce stress and maintain and enhance our short and longer term health and well-being.” It’s important to understand that self-care is not always taking a vacation to a tropical island or taking a week cruise. Self-care can be simple everyday activities which can help you maintain a healthy work life balance, and here are few self-care ideas you may have never thought about:
Sleep
During the night-time our bodies need sleep, and while we are sleeping our bodies recover from being tired. When we are tired, our body does not function as well as it should, and our mood appears different from our normal usual self. Lack of sleep can cause us to feel overworked, moody, sluggish, angry, stressed and forgetful. I recommend going to bed early three nights a week for at least 8 hours of sleep, and you will begin to feel better. Of course, there is the second option called power napping.
Exercise
I am quite sure many of you did not think of exercise as a form of self-care rather mostly to enhance appearance. However, many people go for walks, jogs, meditation and the big one known as the gym in order to help alleviate stress. You are not obligated to exercise every day, but at least three days minimum a week, although five days sounds better. Don’t forget, you can always take a Zumba, dance or soul cycle class or two. Exercise can be your outlet to release stress.
Art
Another great way to spend quality self-care is to paint a room in your house or apartment or attend a wine and painting events. Remember, there is always the museum where the prices are right, also known as free entry.
Dinner and drinks
Book your reservation or simply grab dinner with a group of friends, or significant other at home. Play trivia night, do taco Tuesday’s at home, have a wine night with the girls, sports night with the boys or even have a mixed crowd for an evening of cooking and wine. Dinner and drinks are so easy to arrange, and it is a great way to spend time with friends or a companion with laughter and socializing.
Book a flight or cruise
OK, now you are to take a flight to the destination you have been dreaming about all year, take a cruise on the Atlantic or do both if you can afford it. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of work and your city, and enjoy the warm weather and sandy beaches of Jamaica, the history of Cuba, skiing in Switzerland, and the delicious foods Italy has to offer. You can go anywhere in the world that your heart desires, or maybe take a drive.
But, start giving yourself some care.
