Self-care is what we do deliberately, or in some cases, what we refrain from doing when prioritizing our well-being. It includes various actions we take to promote our emotional, physical, psychological, and spiritual state. Not only does self-care alleviate feelings of anxiety and stress, but it also prepares us for life’s demands, including family, work, and other commitments.
Contrary to what many think, self-care doesn’t have to be overly complicated. It also doesn’t need to be excessively expensive. All that’s required is planning and commitment. In this article, we’ll give you a step-by-step guide on how to develop a routine that works for you.
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Set Your Goals
The first step to accomplishing anything in life is setting a goal. Do a deep dive to discover the reason behind your self-care needs and ask yourself the right questions. You may want to be more present, spend more time alone, meditate more, or relieve stress from a busy week. Identify what you need and what your body deserves in terms of nourishment so that you can look for ways to address those needs.
Once you establish your goal, it will be much easier to create a routine you can stick to since you’ll be building it for the right reasons. Also, you will see self-care as a good use of time and an intentional practice. Remember, your goals must be specific, measurable, relevant, achievable, and time-bound. Being clear with your goals allows you to identify all the details. And when they are measurable, it’ll be much easier to decide how to evaluate your progress. Ensure you set realistic time frames to have enough room to make real changes in your life.
Incorporate Self Care into Your Daily Schedule
Finding time to take care of yourself can be challenging, especially if you have so many responsibilities. And even if you spare a few minutes, you might feel the need to make up for lost self-care time by doing so many activities at once. However, this is not the best approach.
If you want your self-care to be effective, then try incorporating bits of it into your day instead of going out of your way to stick to a rigid schedule. For example, you can make it a habit to pause and take a few deep breaths whenever you’re overwhelmed. Or, you can play your favorite song for a few minutes to ease stress. This method will likely be effective for you if you have tried severely at creating a self-care routine but failed at your previous attempts.
Overindulge Yourself on the Weekends, if You Need To
You might benefit from a weekend or day dedicated specifically to self-care. So, if you feel the need, spend the weekend doing nothing but relaxing. Or, you can pamper yourself at the spa or by engaging in other self-care activities. When you treat yourself to a great weekend, you’ll be more prepared for the following week and ease the Monday blues.
Remember, the whole idea is to dedicate more time to self-care than you would during the week. It’s not to overindulge to the point where you’re fed up. For instance, if you take a few cannabis edibles during the week, you can have a little more on the weekends or invite friends over to have a great time together. Kolas, a Weed Dispensary, emphasizes that” if you want to increase your dose of edibles, remember to do it gradually and be patient until you find the dose that works for you.”
Don’t Worry About Lapses
Don’t stress if you lapse when trying to establish a routine. Your own pace can flow and ebb in the process, but it’s going to be worth it in the end. It’s totally normal to adjust your schedule along the way. If necessary, find a way to adapt to your new circumstances and reprioritize your schedule while trying to figure out a new routine that works for you.
You can even take out some self-care activities from your list if they aren’t working for you. You know yourself better and therefore understand what truly makes you feel relaxed. For instance, you might discover that a spa day works for others but not for you. Be self-aware and flexible enough to improve your routine based on what’s meaningful to you.
Keep a Wellness Planner
A wellness planner is like a journal that helps you track your wellness goals, including nutrition and fitness. Keeping track of your self-care routine using a wellness planner can help you stay organized, see your intentions, and boost your mental health. Your planner can be a safe place to put down what’s troubling you or even track your sleep habits, water intake, diet, and thoughts.
