We live in a world where there are a million things happening at once. Everybody we see on the street is leading a life of their own, aren’t they? With the plethora of things we have to manage everyday (family, work, relationships, friends and so on), it can get overwhelming for a lot of us. I have found that stress is contagious– stress from my work seeps its way into other aspects of my life (such as my relationships). It’s high time we commit to a self-care routine that benefits us during such times in our life because nothing is more important that our sanity, amirite? Here are 5 self-care tips that you can adopt today in order to stay sane while maintaining a healthy work-life balance:
1. Say ‘No’ More Often
This is personally very hard for me, TBH. I am a people pleaser so I almost always go along with what people want me to do. If someone says they’re not hungry, but I am, I’ll dismiss my hunger with no second thought. It wasn’t until recently, when I made quite a few lifestyle changes (for the better!), that I realised that the key to balancing a busy life is to say no if you’re not feeling up to something. So what if you made plans with your friends after work? If you feel like you need to take a break, go ahead! Also, in the workplace, make sure you’re voicing your opinion when it comes to being given tasks. It’s easy to take up something just because your boss has delegated it to you, but make sure it falls within your bandwidth and your skillset. Saying no is much better than half-assing a project just because, amirite?
2. Be More Organised
One point that I probably couldn’t stress enough is to be more organised in the way you deal with your work life and home life. This definitely goes hand in hand with point 1. If this means jotting down your children’s schedule on a calendar along with yours and your partner’s, then go ahead. Obviously, what might work for some, won’t work for others. Make sure you also prioritise activities. On a similar note, try to be neater and more organised in other walks of life as well. Have you heard that saying, ‘A cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind‘? Imagine the amount of time you’ll save in the morning if your closet is clean? Haha, I definitely would wake up much later! Self-care isn’t that hard now, is it?
3. Ask For Help If You Need It
Very often I’ve noticed a lot of my friends and family members trying to be nothing less than superhuman. My mother wakes up early every morning, cooks, does some work around the house and then leaves for work way before anyone else gets up. Now, if that’s not superwoman tendencies, what is then? While you might not want to bother your spouse or children about petty things like washing the dishes, just know that it’s their home as well! It’s very important to share responsibilities and divide the work so as not to overwork yourself. Similarly, in the workplace, I have learned that asking a million stupid questions is better than staying silent. Moreover, if you feel like work is getting too hectic and you’re on the brink of burning out, you definitely must speak with your boss about it! Communication is key in every relationship, including professional ones.
4. Make Time For Friends, Family & Yourself
Picture this: you’ve had a long day at work, went to your child’s football game and now you’re home cooking dinner. The last thing on your mind is to call up your best friend and talk, amirite? While this is perfectly okay, science has shown that meeting up with your friends and family members (socialising, duh!) helps you build a stronger immune system and is great for your mental health as well. This doesn’t mean you go out partying every night, but making time (even a half hour!) for your family and friends is advisable. Whether it’s watching an episode of The Office with your partner or reading a bedtime story to your kids, this is one practice that you should indulge in daily. Furthermore, it is important to note that while socialising is great for you, don’t forget some me-time. Honestly, that is my go-to way to unwind after a hard day at work. It’s all about balance, no?
So, which of these self-care tips will you start practising?
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