Why a Self-Care Routine is Important
Self-care. It’s the big buzz word flying around your workplace, social media, and even your friend group. We all talk about it. Sometimes we even make fun of it.
But what does self-care really mean? And why is it so important?
Self-care is about taking time for yourself. It’s those moments during the day where you get to take a moment to do what’s best for you. It can be something as simple as a bubble bath, or even a quick run around the block. However, it’s not all rainbows and sunshine.
Self-care is about setting boundaries for yourself, and knowing when you’ve taken on too much. It allows you to realize when you’re getting close to burn out and how to come back from the edge. It also means addressing those behaviors and habits that have been holding you back in life. This can be an uncomfortable and challenging process at times, but have no fear! It means that you are growing, changing, and honoring yourself on a deeper level than ever before. After all, we all deserve to live our best lives!
In our world today we are constantly bombarded with stimulus and activity. Sometimes it feels like we are constantly moving from one task to another without any downtime, leaving us overwhelmed and drained. Over extended periods, this can lead to a serious lack of motivation and burnout, leaving us on empty. That is when self-care is the most important! When we are constantly on the go, our nervous system is revved up and it’s easy to get stuck in a Fight or Flight response. Over time, this can lead to muscle tension, anxiety, agitation, and a whole slew of other health complications. However, when you begin to build a self-care practice, your body, and the nervous system will begin to recognize and feel safe enough to come out of fight or flight. It begins to kick into a Rest and Restore response. This can help reduce the amount of Cortisol in the body, allows the body to wind down, and dramatically reduce the symptoms of stress.
Why is it important to create a self-care plan?
Now, as I mentioned before, there’s a big idea that self-care is using that fancy bubble bath and sitting in the tub until the world melts away. Some say that self-care is a face mask, going on a shopping spree, or spending a few hours at the gym. No matter what self-care looks like for you, it’s important to remember that this is time for you.
Having a self-care routine gives you something to look forward to throughout your day. It breaks up the pattern of constantly being on the go and allows the brain to have a much-needed break from the day-to-day hustle. Whether it be the walk that you get to take on lunch, your favorite meal, or a bubble bath at the end of a long day it’s important to give yourself a break. Even during challenging days, self-care can help keep you motivated to keep moving forward.
When self-care starts to feel that way, invite you to remember that when we aren’t taking care of ourselves, it can make it harder to take care of those around us. Even five minutes to yourself can greatly change how you interact with those around you. Give yourself permission to take that bubble bath and take some time for you!
So, why is it hard to keep a self-care routine and what can help you start today?
When life starts to pick up and we get busy, it’s easy to feel under pressure. Almost like we have to keep going no matter the consequences especially when we have careers, families, and loved ones that depend on us. It can seem like a chore to take time for ourselves, over even worse, we feel guilty about spending 5 minutes alone.
The easiest way to make sure that you’re staying on track is to make a list of what your own self-care is. Take your time when making your list and explore all of the activities that make you feel good. You can even make a list of the things that you don’t make you feel good. This could keep you from doing things that you find strenuous or tiring. No matter how big or small self-care is so individual, only you know what works best for you!
Once you have your list, start planning things that you can do once a week, then gradually start implementing things throughout your day. Play around with what time of day you do things, like taking a run in the morning before you start your day. Or reading a book before bed. This will help you build a routine, and discover what you need at different points in your day.
The most important thing to know when you start a new care routine it won’t be perfect! You might try things you thought you liked and discover that they just don’t cut it. Maybe you’ll try something that you thought you hated, and end up loving it! It’s all about experimentation and finding what makes you feel good. Remember, as you change and evolve, so will your self-care!