Making Self-Care A Priority Not A Necessity
Self-care is a personal matter. Everyone will have a different way to approach it and traumas and mental health issues play a part in making sure that you pick the correct steps to perfect your routine.
Let’s take me for an example, I love a holistic approach to my wellbeing so that I can meet my personal and professional goals and commitments head on and without delay.
A good self-care plan should help reduce stress, time management, relaxation, mindfulness, avoid procrastination, create assertiveness and create healthy habits.
Don’t worry, I don’t wake up smiling and on a constant high. Even the most well-adjusted people and professionals need a good morning and night routine. But the one thing I can say is everyone needs a self-care plan, and you need to commit to it every day.
It takes four weeks for a habit to turn into a routine. So remember to re-assess how you are going at the end of one month, and then again after three months.
What is Self-care?
Self-care is taking care of yourself, so that you are functioning at your best to take care of the people and duties that are counting on you. Often when people hear self-care, they immediately think taking time to be self-indulgent… or even selfish. But this is a popular misconception that is just plain wrong!
Basically, self-care means looking after all aspects of your health and wellbeing. From eating the right foods, maintaining your personal hygiene, getting enough sleep and regular exercise, right through to taking time out to just ‘relax and chill’. Self-care means being aware of everything you need to do to keep your mind and body fit and healthy.
Incorporating Self-Care Into A Hectic Schedule
Creating habits for self-care is not a priority for most people. With the most prevalent excuse being “I just don’t have the time” or that it is overwhelming to start. However, there are too many benefits to pass this up.
Let’s start small and break down each category into Work or professional, Physical, Psychological, Emotional, Spiritual and Relationships. From there, you can create a daily schedule of events that need to happen from your morning routine until bedtime.
Don’t overwhelm yourself by going in-depth with elaborate efforts like weekends away. It is more important to focus on daily, short, frequent self-care activities.
Here is a self-care plan template to get you started – you can download it for free.
Here is breakdown of what each self-care category should mention:
Work or professional
Be strict with times that you work from and boundaries set between clients and staff
Read professional journals
Attend professional development programs.
Write goals for the week, month and year.
Stick to a routine and don’t skip the daily bathing and dress in that outfit that gets you feeling your best self.
Physical
Develop a regular sleep routine.
Aim for a healthy diet.
Take lunch breaks.
Go for a walk at lunchtime.
Take your dog for a walk after work.
Get some exercise before/after work regularly.
Sing. Put on your fave songs and belt out a tune. Also jump and dance around your home.
Psychological
Keep a reflective journal.
Seek and engage in external supervision or regularly consult with a more experienced colleague.
Engage with a non-work hobby.
Turn off your email and work phone outside of work hours.
Make time for relaxation.
Make time to engage with positive friends and family.
Emotional
Develop friendships that are supportive.
Write three good things that you did each day.
Play a sport and have a coffee together after training.
Go to the movies or do something else you enjoy.
Keep meeting with your parents' group or other social group.
Talk to friends about how you are coping with work and life demands.
Spiritual
Engage in reflective practices like meditation.
Go on bush walks.
Go to church/mosque/temple.
Do yoga.
Reflect with a close friend for support.
Relationships
Prioritise close relationships in your life e.g. with partners, family, colleagues and children.
Attend the special events of your family and friends, even if it’s a phone call or Zoom at the moment.
If you need more:
Remember that there are a multitude of professional support services out there, so you can always chat to qualified health professionals if you need more at any time too.
Looking for self-care ideas?
This is my (Chrissy) self-care routine.
My Day starts like this:
30 mins of Mediation mindset for the day
3 page Journal entry and write down the things that I am grateful for
Pick my tunes for the day, and even a hint of my lovely singing voice comes out
Breakfast, Coffee (who can live without this), Vitamins (a MUST do).
Note: These are my vitamins – but you take what is relevant to you and consult a naturopath for the correct ones. I take multivitamins, Vitamin D, Apple cider, Emu oil turmeric and ginger tablets.
Shower – I do add in aromatherapy oils or streamers into the shower (my favourite at the moment is lemongrass, cinnamon and peppermint). To me I see showers are ‘washing away the crap’. Get a clear head and a good mindset to start the day ahead.
Dress in full clothing with something fresh and feisty like my earrings, shirt or head piece (dress like you are going out and still seeing people).
To do list - it is important to segment your list into categories. I like to do a daily FOCUS list, and then a weekly list of GOALS (2 goals for the week), FIT IN, BACKBURNER.
Note: Also make sure that you are setting goals for the month and year.
I like to ensure that I have affirmation either in front of me or I find them, and say them out loud, and while you are saying these affirmations make sure you are taking deep breaths. There are heaps of apps or podcasts that play this over and over.
My Day ends like this:
I finish off by doing my Gratitude journal and 3 things that I am grateful for. It could be work related, or someone simple like I have a home. There is power in writing down what you are grateful for.
With my MS, I need to stretch every night. This also takes the tension out of muscles, increases blood flow to your muscles and calms your mind.
I love skincare and always do this before bed including adding in a mask and serum
Night time diffuser – my favourite is lavender, mandarin and ginger oil.
Note: Lavender oil helps aid sleep.
Music – Beach waves and nature American with pan flute
Do you have an amazing self care routine, tried tips or tricks? Let me know I’d love to hear.