Caring for Yourself: Make This a Priority
By Rachel Shouse
The past year has taught all of us many lessons. It's unfortunate, but most of us can relate to each other during a time like this. That gives you plenty of sympathy and empathy for others, but not yourself. It can be hard to allow yourself to feel things when you see others struggle with something that seems harder. While this is understandable, it's not a sustainable way of thinking. Caring for your physical needs, inner self, and those you love, however, are perfectly sustainable.
Caring for Your Physical Needs
You've heard it a million times, that it's important that you eat a well-balanced diet and get adequate exercise. Going through hard times makes this really difficult. You're definitely going to need to give yourself grace, but it's important that you still try. Eating a well-balanced diet provides your body with the vitamins and minerals it needs in order for you to function at your best.
Finding time to get good exercise when your schedule is busy is a struggle, to say the least. There are a lot of everyday tasks that take longer now -- given the current circumstances. It's still important that you find some time to go for walks, go to the gym, etc. You may not do this as often as you used to, but that's OK. Effort is what matters here.
Caring for Your Inner Self
Giving your brain breaks is really important right now. Your brain can only process so much at a time. Most of the information you get in a day is actually processed during REM sleep. That being said, making sleep a priority is vital right now. Alongside sleep, you also need breaks. Breaks from work, school, spouses, parents, children, etc., are equally necessary. Even if long-winded breaks can't happen, short ones very well could.
Caring for Those You Love
This may not seem like a form of self-care, but it very much is. Parents, in particular, benefit from being intentional with the time they spend with their children. It may seem silly, but planning what you're going to do with them helps make the time that much more wonderful. One of the largest benefits to this is the lack of guilt you feel. Parents tend to feel bad anytime they have something else they have to do when their child wants their attention. Spending quality time will appease you and your kids.
Taking time for yourself may feel selfish, but you have to in order for you to take care of those you love and -- along with other obligations you have. Be sure to take your time when making these changes. Making too many changes too fast can cause you to burnout.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Seminole, Fla.