Recharge and Refresh: Practical Tips for Making Self Care a Priority in Your Busy Schedule

What if I told you that the more time you carve out to take care of yourself, the more time you’ll have to complete your todo list? Would you believe me? 

It’s true! 

Taking care of ourselves is one of the most important things we can do for our mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

In fact, it has been shown that taking time for self-care can actually make people MORE effective and productive once they return to their regular schedule. 

And while most people would agree that self-care is essential for our health, many of us truly struggle to find the time to get it done, even a simple, quick, 5-minute meditation. 

But don’t worry, in this article, we'll explore what self-care is, the benefits of practicing it, and practical tips for making it a priority in your life!

We’ll show YOU how you can easily incorporate little self-care moments throughout your day so you can feel recharged and refreshed EVERY day! 

But before we get started, if you’re interested in enhancing your basic, daily, routine with one of the most powerful acts of self-care and mindfulness, then you MUST check out these amazing Intention Kits.

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What is Self Care?🤔

Self-care is the practice of taking time to focus on our well-being. It can include anything from going for a walk, to getting a massage, to taking a break from social media. 

Self-care is about intentionally taking time to do something that makes you feel relaxed, refreshed, and recharged and, as you can imagine, it only helps when you prioritize doing it!

The key to a successful self-care routine is to make sure you're doing activities that you enjoy and that make you feel peaceful and calm.

Everyone's routine will be different, so it's important to find what works best for you.

The Benefits of Self Care😌

Nurturing ourselves is an important part of preserving our psychological and physical wellbeing.

Taking care of ourselves can help reduce stress and anxiety, enhance our mood, and boost our energy.

Additionally, self care can lead to better productivity as it allows us to stay focused and energized.

Furthermore, self care can assist us in staying connected to our values. When we take the time to do activities that make us feel good, we can be more aware of our emotions and thoughts and be better equipped to identify the warning signs of stress and anxiety.

Practical Self Care Strategies🪄

Self-care strategies can be as simple as taking a few minutes to practice mindfulness or as elaborate as taking a day off to do something special.

Here are some practical strategies for making self-care a priority in your life:

➡️Set aside time for self care each day. Even if it's just 10 minutes, make sure you make time for yourself every day. Taking a mindful shower is a great way to squeeze those 10 minutes in.

➡️Schedule self-care activities. Put them on your calendar and treat them like any other appointment.

➡️Make self care a priority. It's tempting to push self-care to the back burner when things get busy, but it's important to make sure you're taking care of yourself. Remember, it can make you MORE productive and efficient when you’re done.

➡️Be intentional about your self care activities. Choose activities that make you feel relaxed and refreshed, and make sure you're doing them for the right reasons. Don’t start training for a marathon if you hate running. That’s likely to add stress, not decrease it. And don’t squeeze in self-care mixed with errands or chores. Focus on the enjoyment of the activity and do those other things when you’re done.

➡️Make self care fun. Try something new or make time for activities you already enjoy, like going for a walk, sewing, or playing with your children.

Making Self Care a Priority in Your Busy Schedule‼️

It can be difficult to look after yourself when you have a busy schedule, but remember that engaging in self-care activities can result in increased productivity and efficiency once you return to your schedule. 

Here are some tips for making it a priority in your life:

🪄Take a break from technology. This can be anything from disconnecting from social media for an hour to leaving your phone at home when you go out for a walk.

🪄Unplug from work. Set boundaries around your work hours and make sure you're taking time to switch off and relax.

🪄Put it on your to-do list and get it done. Give self-care the same level of significance in your schedule, and tackle it with the same ferocity, that you would a work project due tomorrow.

🪄Plan it in like a routine. Set aside time each day for self care and stick to that schedule just like brushing your teeth or taking a shower.

🪄Ask for help. If you're struggling to make time for self-care, ask for help from friends and family. “Hey sis…can you watch the kiddos for 30 minutes while I take a nap”. It feels selfish but in reality, it’s essential for your health! And hey, return the favor when she needs the same moment of pause. 

How to Recharge and Refresh with Self Care💪

Self care can be a great way to recharge and refresh after a long day. Here are some tips for taking advantage of self care to relax, specifically in the evening:

✨Take a break from technology. Turn off all screens at least one hour before bed. Choose instead to read or simply be present in a quiet moment. This can significantly improve your quality of sleep. 

✨Get outside. Take a gentle, evening walk after supper or simply sit outside to get some fresh air and get out of your head.

✨Practice mindful breathing while in bed. Taking a few minutes to practice mindful breathing as soon as you lay down can help quiet your mind in preparation for sleep.

✨Make time for self-reflection. Take time to reflect on the day, think about your goals and values, and plan for the future. Jot them down as an evening routine.

✨Treat yourself. Do something special for yourself, like going to get a massage after work or a pedicure after a long day with the kids. 

Ways to Make Self Care Fun🤗

Self care doesn't have to be boring! Here are some ideas for making self-care fun and enjoyable:

➡️Take a new class. Sign up for a cooking, yoga, or art class and learn something new.

➡️Get creative. Try something creative, like writing, painting, or drawing.

➡️Try a new hobby. Pick up a new hobby or dust off an old one.

➡️Try a self-care challenge. Take on a self-care challenge, like 30 days of gratitude writing or going a week without checking your phone. Reward yourself with a new book or a evening out at your favorite restaurant.

➡️Get active. Exercise is a great form of self-care, and it can be fun too! Tune up your old bike, hop on and enjoy the wind in your hair with a smile on your face!

Self-Care Ideas for Different Personalities👭

Self care activities will vary depending on your personality and interests. Here are some ideas for different personalities and interests:

🪄Introverts: Take a break from social media, spend time alone, read a book, or take a relaxing bath.

🪄Extroverts: Spend time with friends, go out to a concert, take a dance class, or join a card playing club.

🪄Creative types: Try something creative, like pottery, jewelry making or knitting. Join a quilting club and get social while you get your creative juices flowing.

🪄Nature lovers: Take a hike, go for a kayak ride, or spend time in the garden.

🪄Athletes: Go for a run, practice hatha yoga, or take a spin class.

Mindfulness and Self Care🧼

Mindfulness is an important part of self-care. Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment and focusing on your thoughts, feelings, and sensations. 

Practicing mindfulness can help you be more aware of how your mind and emotions work, helping you stay in control of them throughout your day. 

This could help reduce stress or anxiety by helping you become conscious of your triggers and finding ways to cope naturally in the moment, like taking 5 deep, cleansing breaths. 

Try incorporating mindfulness into your self-care routine. Take a few minutes to sit in silence and focus on your breath. 

Or focus on the entire act of eating your food, being present with every chew, swallow, and gulp.

Be aware of the tastes, sights, smells and sounds around you as you ride the bus or connect fully to the sensation of washing your hands. 

Just a quick 1 minute “be present in the moment” can strengthen your “mindfulness muscles”, helping you get better and better at living in the now. 

Intentionally Practicing Self Care😌

It's essential to remember that taking care of yourself requires effort and commitment. It's not something that occurs without effort. You must actively make the decision to set aside time to focus on yourself and make it a priority.

Start your day off with the plan that you will have a peaceful, fruitful, and exciting day.

Evaluate your day's schedule, pay attention to the moments that you have allocated for self-care activities, and ask yourself what you need to do to ready yourself for them.

Treat these activities with the same importance as a work task that you need to finish.

Doing this can help you develop a more meaningful relationship with yourself, improving your physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing.

Start Today!

Now that you know how essential it is to take time for yourself, it’s time to put it into practice! 

Making time for self-care will ultimately help you feel more energized, less stressed, and improve your performance in other areas of your life. 

So, don’t delay any longer! Take time to focus on YOU starting today.

Jot down self-care activities that sound good to you, put them into your schedule, and make them a part of your routine starting today so you always highlight self-care in your busy schedule! 

By following the tips outlined in this article, you can make self-care a priority in your life and reap the benefits right away. 

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