We all experience bumps in the road, though some may feel more like giant obstacles, but we all need to prepare for important events throughout our lives. Good or bad, they can all lead to stressful situations where we may feel frazzled and are not performing our best. How we prepare for these events is incredibly important as to how we work through them and ultimately prevail.
Self-care, any activity that we do to enhance our physical, emotional and mental well-being, is something that many of us don’t practice on a daily basis, yet it’s vital in order for us to be better prepared to take on life’s inevitable challenges. We may think that we don’t have time for self-care because we feel that our days are maxed out, or that self-care is a luxury. But let’s take a moment to reflect on how we have dealt with important events in the past, such as planning a wedding or graduation, managing a project at work, or handling any of life’s unexpected curveballs. Did these events cause us to feel stressed or overwhelmed and we just wanted to get through them? How can we be better prepared physically, mentally and emotionally for what may come our way so that we can give our 100%, and how can we enjoy the journey?
The key to self-care and it being a positive force in one’s life is to practice it daily, but how? What are some steps that we can take now so that we can be prepared for almost anything? First, we need to recognize what causes us to feel stressed and what other factors may be contributing to it.
The following are areas that I needed to work on for my self-care.
Having a lot on my plate and sometimes feeling as if I was spinning my wheels.
Taking on one or two tasks at a time rather than ten things at once is very beneficial to stay focused and has made me more efficient and productive.
Difficulty sleeping, lack of sleep.
This was a tough one because a lack of sleep carries over to all aspects of one’s life. Limiting my coffee intake to one cup per day and before the noon hour, getting to bed earlier, unplugging from the day and reading something enjoyable at night has helped me sleep much more soundly and waking up more refreshed.
Getting daily physical exercise.
Although I love exercising and have always recognized its benefits, I was delaying it until after finishing my workday, frequently running out of time. Exercising first thing in the morning before my day begins has been tremendously helpful in starting the day energized and clear-headed. Physical activity is good for the body and soul. When we exercise, our body releases stress-relieving, feel-good endorphins. One of its many benefits is that it makes one even more productive because the body is recharged and ready to go.
Needing more face-to-face time with family and friends.
We cannot underestimate the importance of the social connection as it relates to our well-being and self-care. Spending more time with those I care about makes me feel connected, supported, reduces stress and improves my quality of life. Now I make sure to consistently stay connected and I couldn’t be more pleased.
Being present and fully enjoying the moment.
Being present means to enjoy the moment, whether hiking in nature, taking a walk with a friend, etc., without distraction. Making a conscious effort to be fully present is one of the most valuable actions that I have taken in self-care. This may, at first, not seem like a very significant practice, but it is amazingly beneficial to enjoying life’s wonderful moments and for one’s overall feeling of well-being.
Lastly, it is important to mention that having a healthy diet is also a significant aspect of self- care. Personally, I find that being vegan and eating whole foods is a major factor in feeling my best.
Self-care is not something that we should only practice for one or two days and then try again in a month. Being consistent and making it a part of our daily routine is the best way to achieve our desired results so that we can be better prepared for anything. I can attest to that.
