While chatting with a few of our members lately I’ve noticed a recurring theme has stood out – the struggle to prioritize self-care. It’s a challenge that so many of us face as we juggle the demands of work, family and life in general. The cost of not addressing this challenge can be substantial – leading to burnout, decreased productivity, strained relationships, and a general sense of exhaustion that permeates every aspect of our lives. A few weeks ago I was able to attend a Self Care workshop and thought i’d share a few of the invaluable lessons that I learned:
What even is Self-Care?
Self care isn’t just about indulgence; It’s about nurturing your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It encompasses activities that recharge and renew your spirit, helping you to be the best version of yourself. Self-care is also a personal journey, and what works for one person may not work for another. The key to effective self-care is discovering what activities resonate with YOU personally. As well as having a balance of rest and renewal activities.
Rest activities can be as simple as taking a walk, reading a book, practicing meditation, getting in a workout, enjoying a hobby, or pampering yourself with a spa day! (I personally love my baths, baking, or going for a hike!) Renewal activities are the ones that you probably don’t want to do nor enjoy doing as much, but will feel better after doing them. For me it’s starting my week with a full fridge of groceries, a clean house and all my laundry folded. For some people that is getting your workouts in, cleaning up the yard and house or evening working on a home project that never seems to end! Identifying these activities is a critical step in ensuring that self-care becomes a natural part of your routine. Another critical aspect of self-care is recognizing when you’re on the verge of burning out. It’s important to catch yourself BEFORE you get to the point of burnout as it’s a slippery slope and hard to come back from! Signs of burnout might include increased stress, anxiety, irritability, poor sleep, and a decrease in productivity. Pay attention to these signals, and remember that it’s okay to ask for help when you need it! Self-care is not a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of self-awareness and strength. Now some might ask… why is this important? Well. If you don’t take care of yourself, how are you going to be able to take care of others? I talk with members each and every week who are feeling the stress of having to take care of their parents, children, and other loved ones. It’s easy to fall into the trap of constantly prioritizing others and neglecting yourself. However, remember that you can only give your best when you’re at your best. When you practice self-care, you become more equipped to help and support others effectively. It’s not selfish: it’s a compassionate act that enables you to be a better friend, family member, colleague, and community member. If any part of this resonates with you, here are a few things you can do starting now that will make a difference… Task #1: Open the notes on your phone or grab a pen and paper. Start writing down the things that YOU like to do and that help you feel rested and renewed. Try to think of a variety of things – small to big, inexpensive to the more expensive things you like, etc. Task #2: Open up your calendar and block off a minimum of 1 hour each day. Just like you do with your meetings or appointments, set this time for YOU. This can be first thing in the morning, it can be during your lunch break, or 45 minutes spent here at Lean Strong Task #3: Accept that you won’t nail it every day. If you plan for an hour and only get 30 minutes, that’s ok. It will start to become part of your regular routine the longer you do it for! If you can commit to doing these 3 tasks each week, that will be the difference in how you show up each day for your loved ones. Wishing you a healthy and fulfilling self-care journey ahead! Leesha “supporting your self care journey” Henderson
