5 Ways to Prioritize Self-Care in 2019
Self-care has become a hot topic in recent years, especially given today’s culture, where maximized productivity is rewarded, and women often put their families and friends before themselves. While busy schedules may not always allow for ideal self-care time, there are a few ways you can incorporate it into your life without completely clearing your schedule. Here’s how you can start prioritizing self-care in 2019:
- Move Your Body
Incorporating movement into your day is a critical part of self-care. Exercise can help give you more energy, improve mental and physical health and elevate your mood.1 Daily physical activity can range from brisk walks, weight training, exercise classes, yoga, and more. Not only is exercise good for your body and your mind, it can also be social, too! Schedule time with your significant other, a girlfriend or sister to get moving.
- Say Yes to Help
It’s easy to say no when someone offers to step in and save the day in your busy life –we often want to do it all. But sometimes the best thing is actually admitting that you need help and letting the people in your life who want to help you, help you! Allow yourself to let go of certain tasks or activities that may be taking up too much of your time. Start saying ‘yes’ to help, and if you can, say ‘no’ to taking on things that are beyond what your life and limitations allow.
- Practice Mindfulness
Practicing mindfulness in your everyday life allows you to focus on the present, and let go of stressors that may be weighing you down. Focusing on your intentions during mundane tasks allows you to feel more present and focused in the moment. Try powering down your cell phone an hour or two before bed, that way you can feel present for your nightly routine, and avoid your screen so you can get to sleep quicker.
- Give Yourself Alone Time
This tip is especially important for working women, moms or anyone who is just plain busy. Set aside time like you would for a morning meeting or lunch date and do something for yourself, by yourself, once a day. Whether it’s ten minutes or two hours, you’ll find that being alone and giving yourself time to prepare for (or reflect on) your day can help you de-stress.
- Nourish Your Body
Listening to your body and feeding it with healthy, nutritious and wholesome foods helps keep you at your strongest – and when you eat well, your body repays you. Fueling up on healthy foods like greens, fruits and protein can help sustain your mental and physical energy all day long, so you’re performing at your best during work, at home, or wherever!
References
- Mayo Clinic. Exercise: 7 benefits of regular physical activity. Accessed January 2, 2019. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389