16 Strategies for Self-Care

How good are you at scheduling in self-care? 

Last week I was able to enjoy my first morning walk since Eloise was born - an exciting milestone! For those that know me, one of my favourite things to do is catch the sunrise! I love to go out for a walk with Maui, take in the crisp morning air and witness the sun as it peeks over the horizon.  

While I was walking, I was considering the importance of self-care. It's a significant challenge for many of my high performing clients and often one of the first things we address when working together to improve energy management and their overall performance. 

If you don't have any time in your schedule for you, for rest and self-care, then you are probably overloaded. Often when people say they need to take a break for self-care, such as stepping back from a meeting or commitment, they are already burnt out and are really taking our time for self-repair. There are two different mechanisms at play here. Self-care is proactive, while self-repair is reactive. Self-care is how we consciously look after our future selves. Self-repair is a reflection that we aren’t currently coping and need to take time out. 

Both self-care and self-repair are important and should be utilised as needed, however when we focus effectively on self-care we will experience less periods where we need to shift into self-repair mode. 

Self-care can be hard, particularly when we enjoy the feeling of being ‘productive’. It’s tough to take time out for ourselves, yet effective self-care strategies help us to sustain a higher level of performance for longer. If you’re sitting here thinking you don’t have time for self-care, then ask yourself whether you have time to treat yourself for burnout? Burn out is never fun, and it’s a longer road back to repair ourselves from burnout. So let’s reconsider self-care. 

Self-care doesn't have to look like full days out at a spa or a week-long vacation. More effective self-care strategies are small, consistent, conscious habits that we implement to enable us to show up at our best. A morning walk, a hot cup of tea, a quick stretch, listening to a favourite song, time to read. Self-care isn't an indulgence, it's an essential part of our wellbeing and our ability to lead ourselves. 

Here’s 16 self-care strategies you can consider:

Quick self-care strategies (5-20 mins)

• Cup of Tea

• Listen to Music
• Hot Shower
• Mindful Breathing or Meditation
• Practice Gratitude
• Healthy Snack and Hydrate
• Stretching
• Affirmations

Longer self-care strategies (20+ mins)

• Go for a Walk or Run

• Read a Book

• Digital Detox

• Connect with a friend
• Get Outside
• Yoga
• Bubble Bath
• Indulge in a Hobby (crochet or puzzles anyone? Or is that just me?)

If you know that self-care is something you struggle with (as so many people do!) consider these 4 simple steps:

1. Mark a time in your diary right now to make a self-care plan!
2. Identify 3-5 small self-care habits you would like to implement.
3. Proactively schedule consistent time in your diary for small acts of self-care. 
4. Follow the plan!

Even scheduling just one act of self-care in can have immense benefits. If you have grand plans and don't quite get there, yourself some grace as you learn this new, invaluable skill.

Have you made time for self-care this week? If not, this is your reminder to do so. If you want some friendly help to be kept accountable send me an email with your intentions and I’ll be sure to follow up and cheer you on!

You've got this!