When life gets in the way of personal time, carving out space for yourself can support your mood, health and quality of life. Even with seemingly endless obligations carving out a few moments daily to do something for yourself can be a great way to stay energized and take on your day with a positive attitude. When multiple people rely on you it is easy to let your needs and wants fall to the wayside.
Not today!
Here are our top 8 tips to help you put yourself first:
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- 1. Breathe: Deep breathing can be a great way to reduce stress in your body. Even if it is a never-ending day of striking things off your to-do list, you can squeeze in 1-2 minutes of deep belly breaths while staying in the groove of your ‘schedule’. Take a moment in the car after loading in the groceries, after you shower before turning off the water, or a minute before you go to bed at night- allow yourself the gift of breath.
- 2. Breakfast: Choosing the right nutrition in the morning can make or break your day. Finding nourishing options can help keep you alert, energized and ready to take on anything. Drinking Vega® Essentials in a smoothie first thing in the morning helps keeps the pep in your step and aligns with nutritious eating goals, as well as your busy morning routine.
- 3. Move: Have you ever taken inventory at the end of the day and realized that you spent most of your time sitting at a desk? Try setting an alarm for a few times throughout the day to make sure you are getting up and moving. Being active even when you’re busy can benefit your health, and energy levels. If you are looking for inspiration check out these one minute workouts to incorporate into your day.
- 4. Write: One practice that can help bring positivity and gratitude to your life is to write down the good moments from your day, something that you are grateful for, or just the qualities in yourself that you love. It might sound a little hokey, but creating those “feel good” feelings in your body can completely change your mood and perspective. Paragraphs or bullet points will suffice, whatever feels right to you.
- 5. Connect: Take the time to call friends or family just to say hello and catch up. If you’re like me and live far from most of your family it’s helpful to make the time to check in with those that know you best. If you have a hands-free device in your car you can use longer drives to make your calls or headphones while getting some chores done around the house.
- 6. Explore: So often we are focused on our routine driving to our normal stops and shuttling people around that we forget to notice some of the wonders of our neighborhoods. Maybe there is a hike right around the corner that you never noticed (that actually happened to me), a new restaurant you’ve been meaning to try, or a limited-time exhibit at the local museum. Take the time to appreciate your local culture, you can even pack the family in the car and explore together.
- 7. Dance: Turn up your favorite guilty- pleasure- tune and let loose! If you have never tried this we strongly suggest it. Dance equals movements and is a great way to get your blood flowing, release endorphins to boost your mood and to just have a good time.
- 8. Dress Up: There is something satisfying about washing and doing (yes, a ponytail counts) your hair for the day. Taking 30 minutes in the morning to get ready is so important for setting the overall tone and something that can often slip when you feel like everyone else’s needs trump your own. Give your self-permission to take that time before you take on the day- blow dry the hair, wear the lipstick, rouge up the cheeks- your future self will thank you.
Even though most of your time and energy is spent focusing on others, making time for yourself is a vital part of being a caregiver (and let’s face it, a human!) Your family is taking notes from you; leading by example in making yourself a priority teaches confidence, self-respect and boundary setting that enriches our quality of life. Don’t be afraid to make yourself a priority!
Comment below and share your favorite way of showing self-care or comment on what you plan to do for yourself this week.
