Make 2024 your year of self-care

Making time for self-care is crucial for maintaining overall well-being and managing the demands of daily life.

Think of a car constantly travelling at 100mph, it’s going to breakdown – and so will you.

We all think we’re super-human.

Let’s face it nine times out of ten it’s us ladies that are in control of family life – from remembering appointments and birthdays, to doing the Xmas shopping, deciding what to eat each day, coordinating the shopping, the meal planning, the housework, the kids’ schedules…. The list goes on and I’m exhausted just thinking about it. But in many households, that’s exactly what happens (now I know that I’m generalising, and many do get support from their other halves!). That’s not including your usual day to day working life which needs to be factored in too. Your own self-care gets put behind everyone else. There is a term for it - emotional labour.

Not anymore – 2024 is your year!

Self-care can be something small and it doesn’t need to cost you necessarily. A walk in the fresh air; decluttering a cupboard; listening to music…

Not sure how to make it happen? Here’s come quick tips to help:

Schedule It: Treat self-care activities as non-negotiable appointments. Schedule specific times for self-care in your calendar, just like you would for work meetings or other commitments. If it’s booked in, you’re less likely to cancel or ignore it.

Set Boundaries: Learn to say no when necessary. Establish clear boundaries to protect your time and energy and prioritise self-care without feeling guilty.

Start Small: If you're overwhelmed, begin with small, manageable self-care activities. Gradually increase the time and intensity as you become more comfortable incorporating self-care into your routine.

Identify Priorities: Determine which self-care activities are most important to you. Focus on those that align with your values and bring you the most joy, relaxation, or fulfilment.

Combine Activities: If you have limited time, try to combine self-care with other daily activities. For example, listen to a podcast while exercising or practice mindfulness during your daily commute.

Create Rituals: Establish regular self-care rituals, such as a morning routine, bedtime routine, or a weekly self-care day. Consistency can help make self-care a habit.

Learn to Delegate: If possible, delegate tasks to others to lighten your workload. This can create more time for self-care activities.

Unplug and Disconnect: Take breaks from technology to disconnect and recharge. Limit screen time, especially before bedtime, to improve sleep quality.

Express Your Needs: Communicate your need for self-care to friends, family, or colleagues. This can help them understand and support your efforts to prioritise your well-being.

Mindful Awareness: Be present and mindful during self-care activities. Fully engage in the moment, whether it's reading a book, taking a walk, or practicing mindfulness meditation.

Remember that self-care is unique to each individual, so it's important to find activities that resonate with you personally. It's not about adding more tasks to your to-do list; rather, it's about making intentional choices to nurture your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Regular self-care can contribute to increased resilience, reduced stress, and an improved overall quality of life and best of all – help with those pesky menopause symptoms!

If you are struggling with your menopause journey – reach out. Some of our discussions will be about self-care.

Don’t suffer in silence or alone, drop me a message and we can book in a session.