How (and why) to prioritise self care
In today’s landscape, when we are constantly striving to be our very best selves (in an Instagram-worthy fashion), it’s not uncommon to run ourselves into the ground. While hustling to make your dreams come true is amazing, all that effort can begin to really take its toll.
As we all struggle to keep up, learning to prioritise yourself and taking the time to care for yourself is not only lovely, it’s an absolute essential. Self care is not a luxury – it’s a must. The way you care for yourself, and the time you allow to recoup and rest, is just as important as the time you dedicate to creating your dream life. When you take time for you, you’re creating the space you need to live a well, full life.
What’s more, when you’re overextended, overscheduled or overtired, those things you know are good for you are often the very first things to go. And when that happens, the very concept of being your best self can disappear.
So – prioritizing self care is what allows you to live your life smoothly and effectively, and bring your best to whatever priorities and challenges come your way.
Here are our top tips to prioritise self care:
1. Dedicate 15 minutes a day to you
This won’t take away from your productivity – it will increase it. Take time to connect with yourself and pay attention to what you need. Is it writing in a journal? Walking through the park? Meditating? Whatever it is – incorporate it as a key part of your day (ideally not 15 minutes before bed).
2. Be kind to yourself
Acknowledge that you are doing your best. As we know, comparison is the thief of joy. So run your own race, and be kind to yourself when you begin spiralling down the comparison trap.
3. Be realistic
If your to-do list (whether work or personal life) is out of control – each evening, identify the top three things you want to achieve the next day. Breaking it down into small, achievable steps will ensure you see progress and feel a sense of achievement.
4. Eat right for you
There’s nothing worse than feeling awful, and then exacerbating the feeling by fuelling your body with all the wrong foods. Plan for your meals, and choose the foods that nourish you best, so you can perform your best.
5. Watch how you talk to yourself
Spend a day listening in to the way you speak to yourself. Is it in a positive, loving way? Or are you constantly beating yourself up? Even when you are feeling down, talk to yourself as you would your best friend on her worst day.
6. Get off social media
We love Instagram as much as the next person, but the constant bombarding of filtered lives are not particularly conducive to a positive frame of mind. So switch off your apps (or delete them if you’re really brave), and go after some face-to-face interactions instead.
7. Prioritise yourself
While we’re all guilty of over-scheduling our lives, when was the last time you scheduled in something for you? Pop your workout, your manicure or your reading time in your diary and stick with it.
8. Sleep!
The benefits of a good night’s sleep are bountiful. So set yourself up for 7 to 8 hours of high quality sleep, ideally with a few hours before midnight.
9. Treat yourself!
Just as you’re now going to begin talking to yourself like a good friend, treat yourself like a friend too. Perhaps pick yourself up a small bunch of flowers, or sit down to a healthy treat to fill up your self love tank.
10. Discover what matters to you
As we’re so surrounded by messages, it’s easy to get swept up in striving for what everyone else is looking for. A new car? A new dress? A perfect set of abs? These things are great if they matter to you, but just because they matter to someone else does not mean you need to add them to your priority list. Spend some time determining what makes you most happy, and go after those things instead.
Tell us, how do you prioritise self care?
