Self-care is frequently the first thing to suffer when we’re busy. The pressures of both work and family life never stop. Someone must make dinner, the laundry does not wash itself, and someone is waiting for a report, presentation, or sales call. Self-care, or the work we do to maintain our own physical and emotional health, consistently ends up at the bottom of the to-do list when the demands on our time and attention simply cannot be stopped.
It’s bad because our wellbeing is built on those self-care times. Our foundation will soon start to deteriorate and break if we don’t take care of ourselves. This leaves us and all the structures we support, both at home and at work, at risk of collapsing.
The good news is that we don’t need to spend endless hours on complex self-care routines. This is not about getting waxes on a regular basis, being dyed and having pedicures done, making fancy concoctions of collagen and protein powder, or going away to a silent meditation retreat for a week once every three months. Rather, it’s about maximizing your time and putting it to work in a way that supports your own time, energy, and mental well-being.
Sometimes it just takes a minute to improve your foundation.
Listen up
While there are drawbacks to modern life, the accessibility of meditation apps isn’t one of them. Look at the one-minute meditations on an app that you enjoy using. Set up a one-minute meditation to help you breathe, relax, and re-center yourself whenever you have a moment or need a moment to yourself.
Write it down
The concept of gratitude notebooks may seem a little outdated at this point, but research has proven that people who take the time to appreciate and celebrate the positive aspects of their lives are happier. The project doesn’t have to be fancy; you can use a separate notebook, or you can use the Notes app on your phone to keep a running list.
Take five
Put your feet on the ground, place one palm on your heart, take a deep breath, and take a brief sensory break when life’s hectic demands are overwhelming you. Notice five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste. Continue going over the list and adding things until you feel centered once more. Bonus points if you can take a moment to complete this outside and get away from the hectic pace.
One-up yourself
Although no one enjoys being one-upped, it’s acceptable to outdo oneself. As a way to make better decisions, try walking for an additional minute, a block, or a song if you’re already walking. Replace one item in your lunch with a healthy one (for example, exchange your cookie for a high-fibre granola bar or your white bread for baked sweet potatoes).
Learn more one-minute wellness wonders at: https://yourdoctors.ca/blog/healthy-living/wellness/
Reference: https://yourdoctors.ca
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