Note: This article is from blogger Julie Onos, who talks about how to take care of ourselves.
Although many people resort to these places whenever they feel stressed, people with limited incomes, who are committed to taking care of their children, who are under massive stress, find it unreasonable to resort to such means of relief.
Proper self-care involves setting routines and boundaries, simply living life, and having a solid support system. When stressed, we often put our needs at the bottom of our priority list.
This is because we are the breadwinner, the bond, and the person responsible for preserving the bonds of love and interdependence in the family; thus, we have condemned ourselves to permanent misery.
Types of self-care
When a person is distracted between the tasks they have to do and the aspects of their life that they should pay attention to, they will fail to take care of themselves.
when I told my friend why I was feeling exhausted, she suggested I should get a massage, even though my budget couldn't afford it.
I was an exhausted mother surrounded by people all the time. So, the last thing I wanted was to be around someone else.
I needed practical help like someone to watch my baby so I could take a hot bath. I needed advice on my problems at work or what to make for dinner.
These simple things were what I needed. I didn't need anyone to take care of me.
Basics of self-care
After the immediate needs were met, I needed to reconfigure my life to maintain continuity. So, I made three significant changes:
- I set up a daily routine.
- I became dependent on my surroundings.
- I set boundaries based on my values.
I prioritized building my surroundings. The prospect of asking someone for help relieves stress, even if you never ask. So, I intentionally scheduled activities related to my highest values and crossed out everything unrelated.
If you are like me, you may find rejection difficult. It is true that I still feel guilty, but it gets easier. I used to agree because I didn't wish to displease anyone, which made me overburdened consistently.
Previously, the chaos I created affected my mindfulness and spiritual practices. However, now that I have learned to turn down other people's requests and have been able to maintain the practices above with healthy boundaries, I can relax with a massage.
Self-care won't cost you anything
I will give you six suggestions that do not require spending a lot of money, and some of them are entirely free, all you need is self-reflection and commitment to yourself.
1. Organize Kitchen
If you are responsible for preparing food for your family, organizing and arranging the kitchen will make this task easier and make you more capable of bearing it. You should pay attention to the shopping list, arrange the mess, and organize the kitchen.
For a shopping list, enforce a rule that the person who consumes the last item has to add it to the list, which cuts down on shopping time since the list will often be quite complete, and ensures that you remember all essential items.
As for tidying up the mess, remove appliances, utensils, or other items you don't use. This is because clutter makes finding and organizing what you use and putting it away from your workspace difficult.
Finally, organize your kitchen according to your usage of it. For example, if you prefer to eat chilled meals, you should put them within easy reach in the refrigerator.
If you want your children to eat fruit, wash them and put them in a basket on the table to eat directly. Following these methods will save you a lot of time and effort.
2. Organize your workspace
Everyone deserves to work in an organized and private space for them. As for people who work remotely or even housewives, you must refrain from slackening at work to carry out your duties towards your family.
It is your right to have a private space that allows you to work, and you must also warn others not to trespass on your office. And make sure that it is clean and doesn't contain items unrelated to your work, which helps you find your things effortlessly, such as pens, chargers, and calculators.
If you need help deciding what items you need, list the things you use in a week, and stop people from using them if they don't put them back in the right place.
In case you do not have your own space, use a large basket or a special box in which you put your frequently used items, and in case you do not need them, put them in a closet to keep them handy when you need them.
3. Communicate with others
To receive community care, you must be part of the community, which requires forming and maintaining relationships. Amid this busy life, we often neglect communication with relatives or neighbors. Unfortunately, the longer we wait for a response in kind, the more difficult it becomes to restore friendship later.
Here's the fact: People who matter to you are more than happy to talk to you on the phone or even on social media. So, don't skimp on them, as developing healthy relationships is part of self-care because having loved ones gives us a fulfilling life.
4. Simplify your morning routine
When you're up late and rushing, you spend the rest of the day in a bad mood. A morning routine helps you know where everything is, what to expect, and how to handle your responsibilities and safety. It can also help you feel balanced and ready to start your day.
A morning routine could include the following:
- Playing sports.
- Practice mindfulness.
- Phrases of motivation.
- Turn off the phone for a specified period.
- Plan your day.
Maintaining your routine is the most critical factor. Indeed, leisure hours are unavailable to everyone in the morning, but try to rearrange your schedule.
At the beginning of the morning, drink water and exercise, such as stretching exercises. Remember to set aside a few minutes for mental focus through meditation, prayer, or thinking about the promising future.
5. Simplify your evening routine
Remember to have an evening routine. When we turn on the TV in the bedroom or browse our cell phones, the light from these electronic devices can stimulate us and deprive us of a good night's sleep. So, you should turn off electronic devices at least 30 minutes before bed, and in return, use this time to prepare for your morning by preparing your clothes, food, and schedule.
Repeat these tasks in the same order daily to get your mind used to it, which enables you to complete them quickly without much thought or tension. In addition to that, it will prepare your mind and body for sleep and allow you to carry out your morning activities without rush.
6. Enjoying the day off
All peoples have a day of rest within the week when they rest from obligations to start their week with energy to increase productivity. You can devote this day to a walk, watch movies, read books, or go to a spa if you have enough money.
Conclusion
Self-care means making your life livable, and here it is useful to distinguish between taking the time to take good care of yourself and the time needed to help those around you.
Keep going if your first efforts work. Just keep trying, and create a routine that works for your needs. Eventually, you'll find a way to give your mind, body, and soul the necessary care.
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