Self Care for Overworked Professionals
#TLDR
Self care activities are (1) the things we do to charge our batteries and (2) the things we don’t do in order to preserve our energy (aka boundaries).
Self care is important because taking care of ourselves allows us to feel good about ourselves. Which in turn, allows us to live happy+fulfilling lives.
Self care is also important because it allows us to show up at work, home and in our social lives in a way that is meaningful.
Self care can be anything that isn’t harmful to you and results in a more charged battery or less energy used.
Self care won’t “just happen.” You have to plan for it. You don’t break commitments to others; don’t break self care commitments to yourself.
Pay attention to all/nothing thinking. Stretch outside the box when it comes to what you consider self care activities.
The concept of “self care” gets thrown around a lot these days. And, I’m sure you agree it’s a good idea. But what does “self care” even mean?
What is self care?
Self care activities are….
The things we DO to charge our batteries.
The things we DON'T do in order to preserve our energy.
Both of these boil down to the boundaries you set on your physical time energy and emotional energy. For example: not bringing work home, closing your door during lunch, not ruminating about what an employee said, not checking emails while on vacation, or creating a recurring 11:00am block in your calendar to go for a walk.
There are literally thousands of ways to "charge" your battery; the trick is finding out what strategies work best for you.
Why self care?
When we take care of ourselves, we feel better about ourselves and life in general. Self care allows us to live happy and fulfilling lives - which is ultimately the goal, right?
Self care is also what helps us be present, available and helpful for those who need us.
I think this concept was best described by author Rachel Hollis when she said that often we are like vases of water tipping ourselves over in order to fill up the vases of others who need us (work, family friends).
We pour from ourselves over and over again and end up empty.
What would be more helpful, is if we filled our own vase to overflowing. Then those around us will benefit from the spillage.
Self care is a way to fill our own vase to the point of overflow in order to support those who need us without overextending ourselves.
What isn’t self care?
This feels like a tough question because self-care really can be anything that charges your battery or protects your energy. It’s all the stuff that leaves you feeling a little bit better for having done it.
Self care activities can be events that are days in length and tiny moments in time. It can be as simple as saying “no” or as complex as changing a job or moving to a new city.
Does self care differ by person or age?
Absolutely. Primarily because self care is, by definition, so personal. What charges my battery isn't going to be the same thing that charges your battery.
I have a friend who loves to get massages, but for me a massage isn't nearly as filling as a pedicure.
Or for my husband, yelling at the television for 8 hours on Sunday watching football is a great way for him to relax and refill. But I know for myself, I am much better served by getting in the garden to pull weeds or taking my dogs for a walk.
If you are a more extraverted/social person, a self care activity may be to host a game night. If you're more introverted, reading a book or putting together a puzzle may be a better self care activity.
The way that self care does not differ, is that we all need it.
How to begin self care.
Think about yourself holistically. What do you need physically, socially, emotionally, spiritually, mentally?
Make a list of boundaries. Include things you will and will no longer do. And don’t forget mental energy - what/who are you continuing to think, fret or ruminate about that you no longer want to give your energy to?
Think outside the box. Self care doesn't have to be a three day mountain retreat or a bath. (Side note: I personally hate baths.. that would definitely not be my self care activity. 😊)
Schedule self care activities like you would any other meeting or obligation.
Get others involved. Plan an activity with someone else to help increase motivation to follow through.
Perhaps most crucial… STOP BREAKING PROMISES TO YOURSELF. You’re great at following through with obligations to others. You need to apply that same commitment to yourself.
You wouldn't contemplate breaking a promise to someone else - don't break promises to yourself. Treat yourself with the same respect you show others.
Tell me!
What are your favorite self care activities??
