DO YOU WANT TLC and Self Care?
Self-care is foundational to thriving in your career and in your life. When we are busy or overworked, or feeling tired and depleted, self-care is often one of the first things to go. But neglecting self-care can ultimately lead to burnout. In fact, if you find you can't make time for self-care, you will be sure you are on the road to burnout. If GreySteps experiencing burnout in your job or career, self-care is the first step to recovery and transformation. The great news is this something you can change.
I talk with many people that are actively seeking balance in their job or career. When we talk about what it means to have more balance, the most frequent answer is that more balance means time for self-care.
What is self-care? Literally, self-care means doing what you would like or need to feel looked after. Self-care is not about looking forward to your family or friends to deal with you, instead it includes the items you do for yourself.
Many of us have grown up with the belief that self-care is selfish. The truth is without self-care your capacity to care for others or to accomplish your goals diminishes. One of my contacts shared this great quote on Facebook this week and I wish to share it with you.
"It isn't selfish to love yourself, take care of yourself, and to make your happiness a priority. It's necessary." - Mandy Hale
Got that? Self-care is necessary. Self-care includes your physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual needs. When I need self-care, I start with sleep, diet, and exercise, in that order, because in the event that you aren't getting enough sleep, everything else can be compromised.
Next, check in with your emotional and spiritual needs. Are you spending time with people you love and who love and accept you? Are you connecting with your spirit then one greater than you? What can help you with that? I personally prefer to start my day with a healthy breakfast, a cup of fresh brewed coffee, and journaling. That's how I connect to my intuition and with God. Among my clients relies on yoga and meditation; another client attends a martial arts class each day. For myself, I've found that as the seasons change, my needs change. During warmer months, I'll replace my daily journaling time with a brisk walk by the lake, when I will spend time appreciating nature. These are just a couple of examples. The important question is: What realy works for you?
Finally, are you being challenged intellectually? Perhaps you would like to read a book during your commute to work, or work a Sudoku puzzle together with your afternoon tea.
Remember, self-care isn't selfish, it is necessary. Benefits of self-care include having more energy for the work you need to do and the work you should do. You will get a nice boost to on your own esteem when you take the time for self-care. Self-care is quite possibly the most significant thing you can do to help yourself.
What do you need at this time to feel cared for? Is it possible to take a break, make some tea, and sit quietly and breathe for just 5 minutes right now? Or perhaps you'd rather take a walk to the break room or restaurant and buy a cup? So what can you do for just several short minutes, right now, to practice self-care? I encourage one to take one step of self-care, right now.