written by Betty Nguyen
We’ve all been there — sitting in the office at work. It’s busy and stressful, juggling different projects and timelines. Endless business meetings about meetings and priorities are all over the place. No time for the gym, no time to socialize, and of course, travel is low on the list. How would you make room for all of this?
We usually put self-care on hold. More often than not, it takes a wake-up call to notice the toll this kind of lifestyle takes on our lives.
Self-care may sound fancy but it’s critical for our physical, emotional and mental well-being. You shouldn’t neglect it and here are the reasons:
- Love yourself: Self-care is important to maintain a healthy relationship with yourself as it produces good vibes and boosts your self-confidence. You need to make time for it. If you can’t love yourself, how can you love others? It’s important to remind yourself and others that you and your needs are important too.
- Plan a vacation: I wrote an article about utilizing your paid time off. Workaholism is not a virtue. Going on a vacation decreases your stress and anxiety and helps you with your physical and mental state. You can opt for a beach holiday or an adventurous tour (shameless plug; Nomoon Travel offers both) – your body, soul, and energy needs it. After every vacation, I often feel less tense with higher energy levels and more life satisfaction. To prove my point, a survey conducted by the University of Pittsburgh Mind-Body Center, found that “Leisure, including vacations, contributed to more positive emotions and fewer negative feelings and depression,” as reported by NPR.
- Stress management: Stress and anxiety can have an adverse effect on your mental and physical health. So play it smart and eat better and go outside for a walk or hit the gym. Release some endorphins. Practicing meditation also cuts down the toxic effects of stress by improving your mood and boosting your energy and confidence levels.
- Disconnect and unplug: Yes, that means, no internet for an hour or so and enjoying your surroundings for a bit. Taking care of yourself is your responsibility. Little things like having conversations with your loved ones (instead of texting nonstop during lunch) or taking a bath with a glass of wine. It’s the simple things. Or create a challenge and learn a new language or a hobby. Make your life more purposeful by giving you a new reason to get up in the morning.
I personally learned new habits of self-care and hoping these small, simple habits can get you on the right track:
1. Go outside for a walk or maybe take a mid afternoon nap.
2. Call a friend once a week.
3. Eat more greens.
4. Stop overthinking.
5. Plan a vacation with a group of friends.
6. Plan a vacation with family.
7. Saying ‘no’ more often.
8. Dates with the husband (no phones allowed).
9. Monthly manicures and spa treatments.
10. Coffee meetings or Happy Hours once a week with local friends.
How do you destress and take care of yourself? Comment below.