Why You Need To Practice Self-Care
Do you find that your emotional energy is completely depleted and you feel drained because you just haven't given yourself a break? I know from experience the effects of burnout. It isn’t good for anyone involved. You are tired and overwhelmed which in turns makes you moody and fast to react to your cute toddler and others around you.
It is so easy to ignore all the signs of a burnout and then -BAM it hits and you feel paralyzed. By not doing the things we enjoy like exercising, socializing (hard today in COVID world) and relaxing because you are “too busy” you are only adding to the emotional and physical burnout.
Practicing self-care is important for EVERYONE to do, no matter how busy and hectic our lives may be. We need to give ourselves a chance to step away from the day to day headaches to breathe and relax.
Burn outs are not pretty for anyone. They are physically and mentally draining and can really hinder us from reaching our goals. Remind yourself if it is OK to slow down, to take a break and to do what the body needs to recharge both physically and mentally.
I know from experience the effects of burnout. It isn’t good for anyone involved. You are tired and overwhelmed which in turns makes you moody and fast to react to your cute toddler and others around you. TAKE THE BREAK YOU DESERVE BEFORE YOU HIT THE WALL.
5 easy ways to incorporate quick self-care activities into your busy life:
Make time for things in your life that make you feel happy and energized (yoga, meditation, a quick workout, a walk with a friend, etc.) making the time for things we enjoy is important! We have enough things in our lives we would rather not be doing - let’s do more of what we enjoy!
Keep a journal - gratitude journals are a great way (and quick way) to reflect on all the things in our lives that are going well and bring us joy. Reflecting on happy feelings is always good for the soul!
Read a book / listen to an audiobook - you don’t have to read/listen to a textbook or a book that you don’t enjoy. Choose a book that inspires you, keeps you on the hook wanting more.
Sleep - take time to get more sleep (better sleep). If you have time on the weekends to sleep in and not rush - take it, if you can take a quick power nap while the kiddos are sleeping - do it! Sleep is so important and many people think that if you take time to do it - then you are lazy. This is far from the truth. If we are sleep deprived it puts more strain on our body than necessary!
Enjoy a glass of wine, cocktail or beer with a face mask on / even enjoy a little cheesy TV show- This one is always a good one. I never really appreciated it more till I can’t participate in (currently 28 weeks pregnant). If this doesn’t suit you - then sit back, relax with the mask on and watch a cheesy feel good TV show.
Rest and Refreshed is better than Stressed and Exhausted
Take time to slow down mentally and physically
Meg DeSalvo Fit