We are great at showing up for others but we must also show up for ourselves. We can show up by committing to habits, routines and rituals that support our well-being. It’s so important that we learn to listen to our own needs and discover ways of meeting those needs. One way to do that is to develop small daily habits that support our well-being in a holistic manner.

When We Feel We Have So Much To Do.

At times trying to do everything though can seem overwhelming. But if we break things up a bit we can make sure we support ourselves holistically. Don’t forget it’s as much about giving yourself permission to do what you can and rest when you need to.

If you haven’t practiced self-care for a while then come at this with a sense of compassion and curiosity. Give yourself the time and patience you give to others. Remind yourself that you are worthy of showing up for you just as much as you do for everyone else.

We Can Feel Like We Have So Little Time For Ourselves.

We have so many competing priorities in our lives. All too often the idea of taking care of ourselves seems to fall to the bottom of our daily to do list. We have forgotten that keeping ever increasing busy schedules can only lead to an increase in our stress levels and a lack of sleep.

A great place to start is to have a good basic self-care routine as your foundation. Taking care of our mind, body and soul must become our priority if we are to stave off stress. Creating a plan that is manageable for you will help you practice basic self-care and look after your mental and physical health better.

Over the next 3 blogs I will give you some ideas that will help you create a plan for you. Some tips that will help support you holistically. These small habits I hope will help you get back on track towards making you a priority.

But remember start slowly, one small habit change at a time and build from there. I would recommend picking one habit from each of the blogs to try. In that way you can support yourself holistically.

Self-Care Habits To Support The Mind

1. Create a wins jar. Write down all your wins, small and big, and keep it in this jar. When you feel down read these to remember how much you have achieved. This can be great activity to get the kids involved in too. They can have their own jar or make it a family celebrations jar.

When we become stressed, worried, anxious, sad, etc., we so quickly forget how much we have achieved. Our minds get caught up in over thinking. Taking a few minutes to remind ourselves that we have achieved so much will also help to reduce our stress, anxiety, etc. We remember what we have coped with and survived before and that we can do so again.

2. Reduce your to-do list. Get some things off that list. The to-do list can become overwhelming particularly if we are feeling stressed. Sometimes we have things on our to-do list that are unrealistic and have been there for what seems like forever.

It’s time to scratch something off that’s been there for ages and you’ll never do. Or maybe they belong to someone else, hand them back. Or perhaps now isn’t the right time to complete that project, put those items on a parking list sheet. You can always go back to them later. By clearing up our to-do list we can help reduce our stress and overwhelm. Giving our mind a much needed break also.

3. Complete a mini-declutter.Pick one room and recycle three things from it. Or even one cupboard that you’ve been meaning to reorganize. Clearing the clutter can help with our mental and physical health. Those items you know you need to clear will continue to nag at the back of your mind until you do them. So make a plan to remove even one item at a day until it’s finished. Write it on your to-do list and get it off your mind.

4. Fix one thing in your home. Similarly to clutter things that need repair will nag our minds until we tackle them. Start with something simple and get it done. Small mends such as fixing a button, a switch or light bulb. Even phoning someone to get something fixed will help move this item from your mind and clear up some mental space.

5. Change up your meditation. If you normally meditate then try changing up how you meditate. Perhaps you use mindfulness everyday try a walking meditation instead. Or if you use the 7/11 technique then instead of focusing on your breath focus on a candle flame or the scent of the candle. Changing things up like this help us to broaden our mind and not allow it to get stuck in a comfort zone.

6. Try some doodling. Doodle, let your mind wander and just create some doodles on a page or the corner of your notebook. In case you need to be persuaded there are many benefits to doodling least of which is stress reduction. It can also help with your concentration, give you some creative insights, help process your emotions, help you learn better and see the bigger picture. Instead of just watching TV bring in a notebook and pen and start to doodle.

7. Take another route when you walk.Mixing up your routine in small ways creates new neural pathways in the brain to keep it healthy. This helps your mind to step out of its comfort zone. If you walk to work, or walk for exercise, try switching things up by taking an alternative route.

8. Pay complete attention to what you are doing. We spend so much of our time on autopilot that we miss so much of what is happening around us. So instead learn to become more present with what you are doing. Try some of the simpler things from your routine. For example pay attention when you wash your teeth or eat a meal.

9. Switch off the technology for an hour.We are constantly connected these days. Try making it a habit to switch off all your devices for at least an hour before bed each night. Allow your mind to rest and prepare for sleep instead. You’d be surprised at how better your sleep will be.

Work With Me.

Remember you are allowed to ask for support. No one is an island. If you need extra support then you can also work with me. We all struggle with stress and overwhelm from time to time. If you find this has become a problem for you and you’d like some support then schedule an appointment with me.