The Importance of Self-Care

Text messages.

Emails.

Events to attend.

Phone calls to return.

Bills to pay.

Errands to run.

Several jobs or roles at work.

Friends to hang out with.

As women, and humans in general, we live very busy lives. Rushing to meetings, taking on projects, meeting up for coffee and lunch dates, volunteering, catching up with friends when we have time and trying to catch a little Netflix in between. Our minds are in a million different directions.

While all of these things can be incredible opportunities, sometimes we forget to just... breathe and be.

By the end of a day at work, I'm exhausted. I don't even have a significant other or children to take care of. But, I have friends I want to see, things I want to write, new cities I want to visit, books I want to read, ideas I want to study and things I want to learn, and places and projects I want to get involved with. But, it just seems that there are never enough hours in a day or week or year.

I think all of my friends in their 20-somethings can relate to this. We're all just out here trying to live our best lives, but there are also responsibilities to tend to. Sometimes it's hard to find balance. But, in doing so, we run ourselves into the ground, because we forget to take breaks. We feel that we're missing out if we aren't constantly on the go or constantly busy.

Over the last year, I've learned the importance of self-care. After passing out during a stressful situation and landing myself in the ER in 2016, I've tried to make some life changes, like setting boundaries for myself at work. Or only saying 'yes' to things I really want to do. Going home and resting when I don't feel well. Be selfish from time to time. It's okay.

These are just a few of the things I do to help myself unwind or when I know I need to take a break.

1. Find something outside of work to help yourself decompress.

Find a hobby - try painting, get into a league for a sport you enjoy...Something, anything, that pulls you out of your comfort zone and lets you use a different part of your brain. I'm still working on finding a hobby that isn't somehow related to my job or field, but until I find something I have my heart set on, it's fun to jump around and try various things.

2. Journal

I've journaled off and on since I was in jr. hi. Some months I write more than others, but I think it's important to not only document and capture defining moments in your life, but also to help process events. I let myself reflect occasionally and it's interesting to see moments where I made mistakes or how I've grown over the past couple years. It's also a much easier way to vent or get feelings off of my chest. It gives me a chance to get creative and daydream. Besides, looking at situation on paper can help you make better decisions on what to do next.

3. Exercise

Exercise isn't something that I've always made time for in the past. I was always "too busy," and would only do it when it was convenient. But, after feeling worn out, beat down and tired from work and life, I decided to make a change. I've started working with a trainer once a week to hold me accountable and give me that push I need. To learn how to truly treat my body. I've loved it because in that hour that I'm dedicating to fitness, I'm not thinking about my to-do list, I'm just trying to figure out how to survive the next few minutes. HA! It can be painful and challenging, but man, do I feel like I'm floating on air afterwards. It's get the heart pumping and the endorphins flowing. It's GREAT all around.

4. Spa Time

I never go to the spa, but even at-home self care, like facials or painting your nails is so important, whether it's a charcoal mask from Mary Kay or another treatment in a pouch from Target. I try to pick up masks to try whenever I see them in stores, so I can have them on hand when needed. If it's been a long week or even if it's just another Saturday night, I'll put a mask on for twenty-five minutes, drink some Yogi tea and catch up on shows, or I'll listen to music and journal/text friends. Or take yourself to the salon for a haircut and nails is a fun way to treat yourself, too!

5. Coffee with friends

One of my very favorite things in life is having coffee with friends. Occasionally I like group activities, but I'm more of a one-on-one gal, so I can take my time catching up with someone and getting into the deep stuff. Feelings. Dreams for the future. Relationship drama. Crushes. The whole bit. I want to know how my friends are doing and coffee is a great way to do just that. Plus, it gives us a reason to visit a new coffeehouse, duh.

6. Prayer/Quiet Time

This should really be the first thing, as it's usually my go-to when I'm stressed or just can't go on. I take a walk and talk to God - in good and bad moments. Knowing that I'm never truly alone in all of this alleviates the weight on my shoulders. We weren't meant to do this life alone and giving it over to God is truly the key. We can do our best and give our all, but at the end of the day, it isn't about work, accomplishments and the like. It's about surrender.

So remember to take deep breaths. Take walks. Look around a little more. Make time for your friends. Fall in love with your life again. You only live once and you might as well enjoy it.

~Shelby

#selfcare #anxiety #health #takingcareofyourself #Thingstodestress