TOP 5 tips to look after yourself even if you don’t have time
If you are already flat out, then the thought of taking time out for YOU might seem a little luxurious, if not slightly crazy.
If you are flat out ALL the time, then chances are the thought of looking after you is just a dream – like winning the lottery: it’s never going to happen to me!
But what is it costing you? 5 Strategies for You
Let’s go on a pictorial journey!
If you are flat out, then you might feel like this:
Juggling everything, and never able to stop in case it all falls in a heap.
If you have little ones AND work from home, then this is not something new to you! You are constantly juggling, going from one thing to the next, and never staying focused, or being very productive.
At the end of the day, you feel like this:  and after a while, you forget who you are, what you used to love, what inspires you – your personality is drained away from putting yourself last all the time.  And that’s how life seems to be, day after day. But is that ACTUALLY how you want it to be? Is that how you want to live?
Here’s how you can start to look after yourself, even if you don’t have time:
1. GO TO BED EARLY
Yes – I’m shouting it so that you can hear it, and apologies if you already go to bed early. It is ONE OF THE BEST AND MOST IMPORTANT things you can do to relieve stress and feel happier.
2. SLOW DOWN
Yes – I’m shouting that one too!
It DOES seem counter-intuitive, but slowing down CAN actually make you more efficient, focused and save you time.
You know what it’s like when you are trying to do 10 things at once – it takes for ever (especially with children around), but if you actually slowed down and focused on ONE thing at a time, you would find that you felt better and took away that rushed, stressed feeling. You can use that time to recoup, re-energise and recharge your batteries.
3. Plan
Planning plays a huge part in being able to look after yourself. If you plan for it, give it the importance it deserves in your life, you CAN make it happen.
It means letting go of things in your day that SUCK your time and energy, and planning to do things that actually energise you, that you love, and that make you feel like a real person.
4. Start your day the best way you can
Starting your day well can give you a massive boost for the day – and it usually involves things you have to do anyway, so you’re not actually wasting time, or using up time that you didn’t have – you’re just using it better, and making better choices.
The days that I get up, go for a walk, stretch, and have a green smoothie are HANDS DOWN my most productive days – AND I feel good doing it.
5. SWAP the habits that are letting you down, for ones that support you and make you feel good.
Again, you are still using the same amount of time, but doing something different, helpful to yourself. For example, swap Facebook (read energy sapping) time for a yoga stretch on youtube.
OK – Now it’s your turn.
Write down 5 things you can do to look after yourself – starting today, using my list as a guide:
1. Go to bed early
2. Do one thing at a time when you get home from work.
3. Plan some exercise on the weekend
4. Fuel your body with some good energy tomorrow morning (and 3. plan what you’ll have)
5. Skip FB for 24 hours and go outside instead.
I’ve also started a selfcare Pinterest Board if you want to check it out!
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