Beneficial habits like self-care often go by the wayside during stressful times. It can be difficult to focus on anything but the bare minimum when life gets hard. The fact is, though, that these are the days when you most need to take care of yourself. One way to have a self-care toolkit to help you out during these instances. Having a list of self-care routines can make it easier for you to implement them when needed. There are some other tricks you can employ to get you through the tough times, too. Keep reading, and I’ll share them with you.
Make a List
Let’s start with your self-care backup plan. This is a list of at least five activities you can easily fit in your life during the most stressful periods. Having such a reminder on-hand will let you gain the benefits of caring for yourself without having to think about it too much. This list can include simple reminders like go to bed early so you get enough sleep, Stock up on and eat nourishing food to keep your energy up or ask for help you need it because these are all things you might forget when you’ve got a ton on your plate. Jot down things that make you feel really good, getting out in nature, eating fruits and veggies with each meal, or listening to music while you get ready in the morning. During times of trouble, the very basic foundations of self-care can be the most important.
Make a Care Package
Another way to boost your chances of keeping self-care at the focus during hard times is to prepare a care package ahead of time. This can include some of your favorite little indulgences like a good book, herbal teas, facial mask, fuzzy slippers and classical CD. Include anything that brings you joy. Being able to reach for this package when you’re stressed can mean the world and make a huge difference to your outlook. It's a little gift you can give yourself when you need it most! Or start a little box and add a little something to it as time goes. In times of stress, pick a prize for yourself!
Involve Your Crew
When things look bleak, you may require a bit of help to get back on track. That’s why it’s a good idea to reach out to trusted friends and family now to enlist their help for the future. Talk to your closest confidantes and let them know you would like them to always encourage your self-care routine. Share with them the benefits it’s provided you and tell them you’d appreciate their assistance if they see you aren’t caring for yourself as well as you should be. Sometimes those who know us best can see things we don’t. When your crew knows to look out for you in this regard, they can reinforce your self-care needs during times of stress.
Taking steps to plan now can make maintaining your self-care routine easier in the future. Always remember it’s during the hardest times that you need to nurturing yourself the most, and you are the one who can give it to yourself!
Great advice. As always, timing is perfect. I'm so blessed to have good friends who watch out for me and point out when I'm neglecting my self-care because they can see it from their perspective earlier than can. I agree, abandoning self-care when life is tough is the worst idea ever. But it happens and it's happened to me. Ironic how our brains decide to ditch our self-care at the time we need it most. Knowing now how our brains are trying to alert us to its perceived danger of change or different feelings is comforting and it also shows me I can reassure my brain and Little Tami that we are safe and thank them for letting me know…