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Self Care

6 Tips for Practicing Self Care Even When Times are Tough

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In today’s world, we can expect things to go wrong. Between worries about health, finances, family, and all those things we cannot control such as world events, it can be very difficult to practice self-care.

When we are worried or experiencing upheaval, it’s hard to think about ourselves. At the same time, it’s more important than ever to practice self-care during times such as these. 

So when times are tough, what are some things you can do to take better care of yourself?

Accept Things Aren’t Perfect

By refusing to let go of normalcy and accept things are different right now, you create impossible levels of stress, and unnecessary suffering. The best practice? Step back. Acknowledge what’s going on. Realize you might need a different game plan for a while. this puts you less on the defensive and more in control. 

Eat Something

You’re not apt to feel hungry when you’re stressed. When you do eat, you might find yourself grabbing what’s easy. This means eating a lot of fast food or empty calories. Your better bet? Start scheduling your meals. Make an effort to eat a balanced diet. Having the proper fuel will go a long way to helping you get through what you need to. 

Exercise

Putting your body in motion when you’re under this kind of stress seems almost crazy at first glance. On the other hand, when you are overwhelmed, it’s very easy to slip into a routine of inactivity. To fix this, make a point to get up and move around every few hours. It’s especially helpful to get outside if you can. Remember, movement has been proven to ease stress, and help you feel better even when things are difficult. 

Sleep

Sleeping isn’t always easy when everything is chaotic around you. you might find it easier to sleep if you create a bedtime routine and hold to it. Slow your mind through journaling or other quiet activities which will help you process what you’re going through. Do what you need to relax yourself in order to get a good night’s sleep. 

Talk to Someone

Never try to go it alone. Difficult times call for a support network. Make talking to others a priority. Even socialization over the phone or via video conferencing will go a long way to keeping you on an even keel. If you’re really struggling in dealing with this situation, you might want to consider talking to a counselor or other professional.

Do Something to Relax

Lastly, remember to take time to pamper yourself. Look for small ways to give yourself relief. Time out for a bubble bath, to read a good book, or to indulge in hobbies will help restore your equilibrium.

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Self Care

5 Actions to Take at Work Daily to Practice Self Care

woman in black long sleeve shirt sitting on chair

Where does self-care happen? If you think it stays solidly at home, you’re not alone. Most people would expect self-care to be something which takes place after the workday is over. 

What if you considered self-care something which can happen anywhere? How would this change your life? Read on to discover five actions you can take at work daily to practice self-care. 

Get Out More

The idea of escaping from your workplace might seem pretty appealing, especially when you’ve been having a rough day. Sometimes your best form of self-care is to get out for a while. If possible, take some of your breaks outside. Go for a short walk. Breathe some fresh air. This will help restore your equilibrium and feel better about the rest of your day.

Initiate Conversations

It doesn’t matter whether you go to work or are working at home, you probably still have coworkers. Taking a few minutes to connect with them, even in a short text or conversation helps to build connections you sorely need. This is more than just networking. We all need to feel like we’re not alone. Building work friendships starts in these conversations and keeps you feeling like you’re not alone. You especially need this when you’re spending a third of your day with these individuals.

Ask for Stuff

Self-care makes sure your needs are met. This means having conversations with your boss when you have questions or concerns, and in making sure you’re part of things, especially on projects you feel passionately about. Self-care means sticking up for yourself to get these things when you feel like they’re not being offered. Doing these things is what makes work meaningful and fulfilling.

Drink More

No, you don’t need a shot of tequila. We’re talking about water. Staying hydrated is one of the simplest forms of self-care which is overlooked more often than you think. Did you know 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated? This affects cognitive function, which in turn affects your work. Is it any wonder self-care means drinking water throughout the day?

Play Games

Work becomes more interesting when you feel like you’re challenged. Sometimes this means you have to be the one to set the challenges. Make your day interesting by setting mini goals for yourself. Set a timer and try to beat the clock when it comes to getting things done. See how much of your To Do list you can cross off before the end of the day. Be creative and have fun!

By doing all of these things daily, you’ll find your workday is much more interesting and you get more done. More important, you’ll feel better, both mentally and physically when you get in the habit of self-care at work.

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Self Care

5 Things Busy Parents Should Do to Practice Self Care

man in long sleeve shirt standing beside girl in pink tank top washing hands

You’re an excellent parent. You’ve really nailed the finer points of taking care of your child. They are healthy. They are happy.

Every day they are learning new things and growing.

But how about you, how are you doing? 

It’s so easy when we’re parents to forget to take care of ourselves. Self-care somehow always seems to be on the bottom of the list, somewhere after laundry and running errands. Time for ourselves becomes something of a joke.

But there are things even a busy parent can do in order to practice self-care. Consider these things:

Take Five Minutes to Breathe

As parents who has time to breathe? As it turns out, you do. Stopping in your tracks for a few deep breaths is an incredibly calming experience. This is especially useful when your day has been extraordinarily stressful. Even a few minutes of deep breaths can do wonders to improve your mood.

Go Green

Numerous studies have been done to prove just how much nature matters. Green spaces have a way of recharging us which positively affects our cognition, our stress levels, and even our physical health. With this in mind, try to get outside when you can. If you can’t, consider creating an indoor garden to enjoy year-round. 

Read

It might seem laughable for a parent to have time to read a book. At the same time, you’d be amazed how quickly you can get through a story by reading a page here and there whenever you have a free moment. Reading engages the mind and gives you a much-needed respite. for bonus points, join a book club. Talking about something you’ve read with other adults is some of the best self-care there is.

Create an Oasis 

We all need a space apart which belongs entirely to us. This can be hard when you’re a parent. Try to carve out a cozy nook somewhere which is entirely yours. Maintain the space with knickknacks and delights of your choosing. No toys or children’s paraphernalia allowed.  

Take Some Alone Time

Grab a few minutes for yourself while the children are napping or at school. Use this for an indulgence designed just to pamper you. Enjoy a bubble bath. Visit a friend. If your children are particularly young, you might want to consider hiring a sitter. Even if you stay at home, having someone else watch the kids so you can have a few minutes to yourself will do wonders for your mood. 

Whatever you do, the point is to take time for yourself in a way which helps you to recharge. This is crucial, as your children really need a parent who is calm and relaxed and ready to take up the challenges of child rearing again.

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