INSIDE: When it comes to making time for yourself, it's not always easy, and sometimes it can feel impossible. But taking time for self care is so important, and here are some tips to help you make it happen.

 

To adopt a healthy lifestyle, self-care is the most critical element to work upon. Self-care enables us to look after ourselves, which is so important because hectic routines and busy schedules can lead to burnout. We must set aside some time each day to rejuvenate our mental and physical health if we expect to feel good.  

Making Time For Yourself Can Be Easier

Making time for yourself can be easier when you give priority to your mental health. Think of the things you enjoy the most and try setting up a particular time for that activity. Taking it as a necessity for better growth in life will force you to keep that time aside for yourself.

When you prioritize your self-care, it will automatically make it easier to take time out. It can help if you realize that taking care of yourself allows you to help yourself through life. Self-care can be even in small steps, so keeping it simple will make it easier to take that time for yourself.

Use Time You’re Already Spending

With these high-paced lives we lead, it can feel like it's impossible to take time for self-care, which is why so many of us don't do it. To overcome this issue, you can use some of your ongoing activities and merge them with some activities you enjoy. 

For example, you could keep an inspirational book in your car and read it when you are outside your child's school waiting to pick them up. Or you could do some leg lifts while you watch TV, visualize the future you are manifesting while you're waiting in line, or doodle in a sketchbook while you are eating your lunch.

Find ways to turn what you are already doing into a self-care moment.

Find Pockets of Time

Pockets of time are the most efficient way to take time out for your self-care. Short breaks between your busy routines can help boost your mental health. Dedicate those brief intervals of your time to yourself.

Take five minutes before you start a new project to sit down, relax, refresh your mind, and think of the things you’re grateful for. A small amount of effort like this to make time for yourself can make radical changes in your life.

Use Your Lunch Period

Lunch breaks can be used effectively as self-care time. Most importantly, eat healthily and adequately to keep yourself fresh. Beyond that, you could go out and interact with nature. Breathe in the fresh air and notice how it puts your mind in a positive state.

Your lunch period can include journaling to get to know yourself, listening to some motivational podcasts, or taking a few minutes to meditate or go for a walk.

Change How You Do Things

Sometimes, finding time for ourselves just requires a shift in how we go about doing things. For example, you might be able to ride your bike to work instead of driving. Or, maybe you could take public transportation so you can gain some time to read a book while you are en route.

We tend to think we don't have any choices in life and that we don't have time for what we really want to do, but when we get creative and think of all the options, we realize there are many ways we can give ourselves the self-care we need.

Ideas for How to Find Time for Self Care

Taking time for self-care can be done in various ways. Here are some of the most effective ways to do it...

Plan a Retreat

Self-care retreats are a wonderful way to give yourself what you need in a truly nurturing environment. Go on a vacation and spend time with yourself - yes, just YOU! This refreshes the mind and soul. Even simple retreats can create a difference in your life. In fact, the simpler, the better.

You might include your favorite spots and activities on your retreat. Try getting away from your routine and spending time with yourself, creating positive energy for a new start. A self-care trip can help us relax and rejuvenate again.

Take that time out and do something for yourself that you enjoy and that pleases you. There are some great ideas here.

Create Morning & Night Rituals

Keeping a healthy schedule and sticking to it enables us to function better in life. That's why rituals can make it easier for us to have time for self-care.

For example, waking up early, connecting with nature, and exercising can change your day and improve it. Or maybe, your morning ritual could look like sipping coffee while you write in your journal out on the patio.

At night, we want to create a ritual that calms our thoughts and prepares us for good sleep. For you, that might include turning off the TV and reading a book in bed. Or maybe you want to do some light yoga stretches followed by five minutes of meditation.

Say No More Often

We must learn to live for ourselves first rather than for others. Prioritize yourself and respect your boundaries. Learn to say no when it is necessary to avoid any edginess.

It feels obligatory to say yes, but it can cause significant irritabilities. If you can learn to say no, it can go a long way in helping you achieve self-care.

It can give us more time for self-care as we are no longer engaged in the activities we don’t want to do. It gives us peace of mind and a little time to clear our minds. It relieves stress and gives us the ability to engage in activities that match out authenticity.

Create a Small Oasis at Home Where You Love to Spend Time

Create your happy place in any corner of your house. Making time for yourself is easier when you have somewhere to go to where you feel your best. Spend some time there relaxing. It can immediately change your mood and it can help in relieving your stress.

This place might be in your bedroom, an extra room, in your back yard, or some other area that gives off good vibes, takes away your stress, and allows you to feel like yourself.

Get Caught Up In a Good Book

Reading not only freshens the mind and enables us to think more clearly, but it also can allow you to get lost in a new land. A good book draws you in and makes you want to keep reading. And that's a tricky way to get you to give yourself more time for yourself.

Reading draws your attention from unnecessary things towards something that can bring you into an internal state of tranquility.

Schedule Your Time on Calendar

For most of us, the only way we get things done is by scheduling it. Otherwise, it sits on the back burner.

So plan out when you will do your self-care practices as well! Maybe its's every Saturday morning or Friday nights. Whatever it is, actually write it on your calendar and make it consistent.

Plan Something With a Friend So You Won’t Back Out

Even if we schedule self-care on our calendar, we still might push it to the back burner. But if we set up something with a friend, we are more likely to stick to it because we won't want to let our friend down.

So, plan to go get pedicures with a friend or even just to go out to lunch with them. Maybe you could set up a weekly time to go walking together or a special day trip to the beach.

Use the Time When Trying to Fall Asleep for Meditation

Meditations can help you to improve your mental health and live a healthy life, and there is no easier time to do than before falling asleep. It puts us into a relaxed state so we can easily fall asleep, and most of us lay there anyway trying to fall asleep (and getting frustrated in the process), so why not use that time for something that will benefit us?

Final Thoughts

It can be hard to find time for self-care, but it is vital to give enough attention to self-care as it is necessary to live an extraordinarily stress free life. The moments you spend with yourself will help you grow and achieve excellence in life.

The more you care about yourself, the more it will help you keep a peaceful mind. Making time for yourself can be a significant step towards a happy life, and the tips we have provided should be a good start!