Self-care is something a lot of us feel like we do, but do you ever stop to consider whether the practices are actually working for you? Caring for yourself comes in many different forms and what helps one person might not be the thing for you, but giving it some thought can help you figure it out.
To get serious about self-care, you’ll want to do a self-care audit. That may sound intimidating, but it really breaks down into five steps that will help you find what works best for you so you can use “me time” in the best way possible.
- Step 1: Ask yourself what part of your day currently feels the most frazzled - Knowing when stress levels are at their highest can help you figure out when to slow down and how to cope with triggers.
- Step 2: Try to remember the last time you felt truly peaceful - Think about where you were, and what sounds, smells and feelings you were enjoying. You can find ways to bring moments of calm into your daily life that include those peaceful memories with a meditation app or creating a unique space in your home filled with those textures and scents and that could be your relaxing self-care zone.
- Step 3: Take a hard, honest look at your calendar - Where are you spending your time and what commitments can you let go of or ask for help with? Being able to recognize where you’re overextended or need support can help you figure out where you can make time for yourself.
- Step 4: Consider what might stop you from investing time in yourself - If you get pushback on your new routine, think about how you’ll respond. Having clear, consistent boundaries can help you stay committed to self-care. Self-doubt can get in the way of self-care, so leave yourself notes with words of encouragement.
- Step 5: Write down your commitment to yourself in permanent ink - Writing it down makes it feel more official and putting it in your calendar may make it feel like a commitment you can’t cancel, so do both of those. And remember, self-care is not self-indulgence, it’s having a routine that helps you reach your wellness goals and you deserve it.
Source: Forbes
Scott's Thoughts:
- Come to think of it, a cup of tea and a face mask might not really do the trick!
- What make's you happy? We all need self care and even time alone.
- Self care for men typically involves sports, fishing, hunting... you know man stuff. :)