The Importance of Self Care | Why Self Care Your be Prioritized
Mar 15, 2021
The majority of us have a major problem when it comes to how we spend our time.
We don’t spend enough of it on ourselves.
It’s true, self-care is way too often brushed off to the side by many of us.
And most of the time, self-care isn’t prioritized because of one of these three reasons that have been impressed upon us thanks to our culture:
Reason 1: I don’t have time.
Between working 40+ hours, raising a family, managing a household, building a side hustle, being there for friends, walking the dog, and everything else we find ourselves doing throughout our waking hours there is literally no time left for self care.
Unless you count the few hours of sleep each night.
Reason 2: I feel guilty when I take time for myself.
It’s no secret that our society pours out an overwhelming amount of praise to those that give all they have for others and put themselves last. So much so, that those of us that take time for some genuine “me-time” feel guilty for spending energy on their own self-care rather than the care of those around them.
Reason 3: I don’t know what to do.
Perhaps you are able to find some time to dedicate to your personal well-being.
What exactly do you do?
Sometimes this precious block of time can be wasted by taking its entirety trying to determine the best way to make use of this time.
WHY PRIORITIZE SELF CARE
Before diving into how to prioritize self care it’s important to know your “why”.
Here are a couple of reasons that I find me-time to be crucial to a healthy life:
- It helps you be your best self
We all need time to recharge (in addition to adequate sleep every night.) If we neglect to take this time, it’s likely that we will find ourselves much more stressed, irritable and depressed that normal.
When we are feeling negatively, it’s only natural to reflect feeling this way in our actions with spouses, kids, coworkers, friends and strangers.
This in turn will cause those we interact with to have a negative experience in their day, causing them to pass along the negativity to someone else.
See the cycle here?
It’s amazing what a little bit of alone time to prioritize our well being will do for our mood and spirit. It not only benefits us, but everyone we come into contact with. - It helps boost productivity and creativity
Giving your body, mind and spirit some time to re-connect does wonders for your mindset.
After taking adequate time for self care, we often find ourselves with a clear head and recharged spirit free of abstract clutter and ready to conquer the day head-on. - Shows an example to others
When those who look up to us see us prioritizing self care, they learn the value of it as well. This in turn allows them to be their best selves and pass along these values to those that look up to them.
HOW TO PRIORITIZE SELF CARE
So what do you do when you can’t find the time, can’t shake the guilt or are unsure of how to spend your self-care time?
FINDING TIME
This answer might sting a bit.
Make time.
If you are rolling your eyes at me and thinking to yourself that I have no idea how impossible that is in your crazy life and I don’t understand… you’re right. I don’t know you personally.
But, I do know that you can make time. Even if it’s an hour a week.
Take a minute and evaluate how you spend your day. What can be eliminated? Who can help out to free up some of your time? Can you meal prep to save time on dinner? Can household chores and errands be more evenly divided throughout the household?
It may take a family meeting where you emphasize to your loved ones your need for some time alone and your desire for them to assist in making that happen.
You’ll be surprised at the support you receive.
LOSING THE GUILT
First and foremost: stop caring what other people think of you.
I know, I know… WAY easier said than done.
But in the long run, who cares if your neighbor judges you for spending an hour reading outside when it’s clear your lawn needs some work? Who are you trying to please? Yourself, or your neighbor?
Second, remember that by taking time to care for yourself you are setting an example to others that it is not only okay to have “me-time” but critical to living a healthy, happy and fruitful life.
KNOWING WHAT TO DO
Self care time does not have to be all about deep-moisture face masks and pedicures.
Self care is taking time to make yourself happy.
As an example, here are some things that make me happy and that I have used for self care in the past:
- Starbucks (a major one in my life)
- Shopping
- Reading outside
- Taking a nap
- Visiting the humane society
- Learning to dutch braid my hair (still learning)
- Browsing Pinterest
- Planning a dream vacation
- Dreaming in general
- Playing with makeup
- Coloring
- Organizing
Make sense? Knowing what to do to take care of yourself is simply knowing what makes you happy and ignites your inspiration for life.
If you are still scratching your head trying to come up with something to do during your me-time, never fear. I’ve creating a list of 99 ideas for self care. You’re bound to find something there. 🙂
