Some weeks I am feeling quite overwhelmed with my schedule and scheduling time for self care can fall to the wayside. These are usually the weeks where I start to feel low in energy or stressed as I am not looking after myself.
Self care can be a difficult thing for those with a busy schedule and they may feel overwhelmed even thinking about it. For those of us who are time poor it is important to realise that self care does not have to take hours and hours. It can be as little as 1-2 minutes in the morning saying affirmations and breathing deeply to set up your day.
I have found setting up the day to be extremely important for my mood and mindset for the rest of the day. Therefore, I believe scheduling time in the morning (whether it be 3 minutes or 5 minutes) to be vital for those that are vulnerable stress or burnout or in busy professions. As an old zen saying goes "You should sit in meditation for 20 minutes a day. Unless you're too busy, then you should sit for an hour." And John C. Maxwell stated "You'll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine." Setting up the day can involve doing a morning meditation, journaling, setting intentions for the day ahead or just sitting and breathing with a soothing cup of tea or coffee in nature.
Another thing I believe is important for those with busy lifestyles is winding down at the end of the day. This is especially important for those who 'take work home with them'. There is a large temptation these days with technology to come home at the end of the day and be drawn into our screens (either our phone, computer or the TV). I have had excellent results with clients by implementing a 10-20 minute routine at the end of the day of winding down from work. This consists of a brief gentle walk in nature, followed by earthing in grass and deep breathing with your favourite cup of tea if applicable.
Finally, I believe in scheduling regular 'me' time to do what makes you feel good. This could be once a week baths (with candles and music), once a month massages or meet ups with friends, or playing a game of golf. This requires you to take a look at your priorities and understand what you enjoy about life. What will make you happier this week? This month? What would you like to look forward to? Although we want to find enjoyment in the everyday, sometimes it can be fun to look forward to that bushwalk with friends or simply that cup of tea at the end of the day. If you are really struggling sometimes it can be a good trick to write down 5 things that bring you joy and schedule those things into your life.
I wish you all luck with your self care practices and send you all love and light. These are strange times for us all and many of us are going through immense changes. Remember to be kind to one another as you don't know what someone else has been through.
For more assistance with self care routines I will be available in late February for bookings. Bookings tab to be open in the next few weeks!
Branwen
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