By: Kilondra Davis
Our busy lives are often extremely consuming. Whether its devoting ourselves to the many different responsibilities we have or just sprinting through life’s journey. As we commit much of our time to the demands of life, we generally tend to neglect ourselves as a result. This ultimately leaves us stressed out and running on fumes!
Stress can manifest differently for everyone. However, there is are a few commonalities of what stress can look like. Here are a few of them:
- Anxiety and Agitation
- Difficulty Concentrating
- Feeling Overwhelmed
- Headaches and Other Aches
- Lack of Interest
- Low Energy and Lack of Motivation
- Moodiness, Irritability, and/or Anger
- Other Mental and/or Emotional Health Problems
Neglecting the self can cause many of the symptomology stated above. Its almost as if, on our list of priorities, the self is at the bottom. If this neglect continues, the consequences can lead to severe issues. So, lets move the self to the top, because You Are So Worth It!
Without you in your best state, how will everything get done? This is what self-care is all about! It’s a wide range of activities that provide you with space and time to replenish all the daily energy you are extinguishing. These small daily acts of self-care help to stabilize and promote emotional, physical, and mental health. The more you implement acts of self-care in your lives, the more you will be able to sustain and thrive on life’s journey. Finding time for self-care amidst the demand of life can be challenging.
So, here are a few small 5-minute habits that could be done daily:
- Drink a cup of tea: A great way give the mind a rest by being in the moment
- Take 3 Dep Breaths: Concentrate on the breath as it travels through your chest and nose
- Say No: Creating time for yourself
- Write a kind note to yourself: Showing yourself appreciation
- Write out your thoughts: Clear your mind and get it on paper
- Unplug for 5 Minutes: Switching your mind to autopilot and just being
Here are a few more Self Care acts that use more time:
- Start a journal
- Laugh heartily at least once a day
- Limit overthinking
- Read
- Go for a walk
- Exercise
- Take yourself on a date
- Meditate
- Unplug for an hour
- Take in nature
As long as the activity is being used to give back to yourself and relieve stress, self-care can be anything! Remember, as you take care of yourself, you will be able to keep up with the demand of life and thrive while doing it!