It is extremely difficult to prioritize self-care when you have a busy lifestyle. Between dealing with work and home life, there is barely any time left to take care of yourself. Learning to take the time to take care of yourself is a necessity, not a luxury. The time you take care of yourself is just as important as the time you spend doing work and taking care of others. It is hard to be your best self if you let yourself go on the back burner.
Set aside 15 minutes a day just for you
Take the time to just be with yourself. No distractions, no screen time, no talking to others. Connecting with yourself can boost productivity and happiness. Some options are journaling, going for a walk, and mediation. Choose whatever works best for you to connect with yourself.
Eat what's good for you
Eating unhealthy foods can make you feel even worse when you're exhausted. Fueling your body with enriching and healthy foods can improve your physical and mental health. Choosing foods that nourish your body can help you perform your best during your busy days.
Get enough sleep
You need 7 to 8 hours of quality sleep for your body to function properly. Setting yourself up with a specific bedtime and wake up time can create a quality sleep schedule. Refrain from using your phone or watching TV an hour before going to sleep. Take the hour before going to sleep to take more time for yourself by journaling or reading a book.
Take your time
There never seems enough time in the day to get all of your responsibilities taken care of. Unfortunately, rushing through your daily tasks takes away the experience. By eating your breakfast on the way to work, you don't get to enjoy your breakfast. Taking the opportunity to slow down can provide health benefits including lower blood pressure and lower stress levels.
Treat yourself
If you are used to surprising others with small gifts and tokens of appreciation, why don't you do that for yourself? Small indulgences, such as a nice meal, can remind yourself that you're worth it and you deserve nice treatment. If you are trying to limit your impulsive spending, write a wish list and use it to reward yourself when the time is right.
Self-care is not selfish. You need to put yourself first when you are overextended and exhausted. It's harder to get back to your best self when you have not been prioritizing yourself for so long. Tend to your physical and mental needs to take care of yourself first.
Sources:
https://www.jodymichael.com/blog/prioritizing-7-ways-incorporate-self-care/
https://barrebody.com.au/blog/wellness/prioritise-self-care/