You may have been hearing a lot about the topic of self-care lately. And, for good reason--it is so important to focus on yourself along with your mental and physical health. Especially during times of high stress-- which many people are feeling now with all that we have going on in the world as well as in our own lives. Sometimes it feels as if all of that is taking priority over our lives, and we have lost touch with taking care of ourselves.
It is so easy to forget to focus on yourself when the stress of life takes over and things get hectic, especially when it seems that so many other responsibilities should come first. That is when it is especially important to remember the importance of self-care and refilling your energy tank!
Allowing yourself to constantly be on-the-go and maybe even run down may work for you in the short term, but it's not a good action plan for your wellbeing in the long term. It may take many years of depleting your energy before you notice in a big way. Or you may be someone who notices sooner than later.
Neglecting your energy needs can raise the risk of chronic diseases, aches and pains, hormone imbalances and chronic stress in the future. It is imperative to your health, your energy levels and your longevity to recharge your batteries and refill your energy tank.
Why is a recharge important?
Energy is the fuel and foundation for everything in your life. Recharging your life-force energy and reconnecting to yourself gives you more access to your needs, desires and the guidance of your soul. When you get caught up in the dramas of life without taking a break and resetting your system, then those micro-traumas can build-up over time.
This buildup of stressors can lead to burn-out, exhaustion, mood swings and chronic illnesses. Once this occurs, it can be difficult to get yourself back on track. For some, it takes years to eventually get back to feeling normal. I'm sure you have heard the saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and that couldn't be truer in this situation.
There are plenty of things you can do in your everyday life to keep you on track with feeling healthy, happy and energized. Then you are able to approach your life from a place where you are more productive, in a better mode, can think clearer and you make better choices for your health and your body. You have more energy because your energy isn't being used up by what is not serving you. You need that energy to feel enthusiastic and for life to be fulfilling, joyful and happy.
How to quickly refill your energy tank?
While it would be great to go on a month-long retreat in Bali, that's not realistic in our everyday lives. It doesn't have to be something so extravagant. In fact, the easier it is to incorporate a daily self-care focus, the better it is for you. Waiting for that break or vacation to catch up is not going to help you today.
It is possible to organize your life in such a way to optimize your energy and vitality. It's basic and minute-by-minute--how you feel and how you live in each moment comes together in the big picture of your life. You are the one in control.
Eliminate the drama as much as possible by taking an inventory of your energy zappers. What causes you to feel depleted...or upset...overwhelmed or stressed? Once you are aware, you can start small and eliminate the worst culprits. And then, establish boundaries around the areas in your life that are most important to you to preserve.
It is also important to use your awareness to check in with yourself so that you don't get to that burn-out point. You can easily incorporate small, simple tasks into your daily life. These are the things that usually get pushed to the back burner because you feel like you don't have the time or energy. But, it doesn't have to take long. Resetting yourself can even take just a few minutes. Make it a habit--and make it a priority!
Simple self-care reset tips to refill your energy tank:
Stretch:Â Tune into where you hold tension in your body. It actually requires energy for your body to hold this tension. Wouldn't you rather have that energy available for something else? Stretch several times a day for the best results.
Breathe: Most of us tend to breathe short, shallow breaths, especially when under stress and usually without even realizing or thinking about it. Deep, long and slow breaths are a direct cue to the nervous system to switch from a stressed state to a relaxed state. You can switch to a relaxed state within minutes just by focusing on your breathing.
Exercise:Â Especially outdoors as studies have shown that being in nature greatly reduces stress. You are also getting Vitamin D from sun exposure which many are depleted in especially during the winter months. If you don't have a lot of time, just take a short walk. Do whatever you can to get some sort of movement into your day.
Journal:Â Writing down your thoughts, feelings and emotions can establish awareness and help you find patterns around your stressors. It helps give you a different perspective of your own life.
Hydrate: Drinking plenty of water is one of the best self-care activities that you can do and one that is commonly neglected.
Sleep: Prioritizing deep, restorative sleep is crucial for good moods, good energy and good health.
You don't have to start doing all of these things in one day if you aren't already used to including them on a regular basis. The point is to relieve stress and overwhelm, not to cause more!
Take small steps and work on what you can. Little by little over time, they will become habits. Once you start realizing that you feel healthy, happy and energized when you are focusing more on yourself and your health, you will want to keep going with it.