Weaving Self-Care Into Your Day

I've become a huge believer in self-care. Admittedly, a couple of years ago when I was a figure skating coach, self-care was a low priority on my list (survival was at the top!). However after becoming a mother and full time stay at home mom, I have found that without ensuring there is some form of self-care in my day I have a tendency to burn out. And, although that was much the same for my previous career as a figure skating coach, I now have two people that rely on me to keep everybody alive and happy.

““Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel””

— Eleanor Brownn

Weave self-care into your schedule every day

Incorporating self-care into your daily schedule, Instead of feeling that you need to devote a large chunk of time out of your day to it, will give you more freedom to pursue it. How amazing would you feel at the end of your day knowing that you took just a couple of minutes out at various points to look after you. How would you feel going to bed at night? Relaxed? Happy? Centered? Only positive things can come out of self-care. 

Self-care doesn't need to be massive and expensive. Sure it would be great to get a massage or facial once a day, or even once a month! And if that's available to you and it's sustainable in your life then amazing and go for it! But self-care can (also) be simple, cost and time efficient and just as beneficial to you. 

Try weaving these simple self-care techniques into your day: 

1. 15 minutes of quite coffee or tea time in the morning  
2. Spending a couple of minutes when you wake up just laying in bed, feeling the softness and warmth of the fabric surrounding you.  
3. Spending a couple of minutes in bed with your loved one cuddling.
4. Taking a step away from your child, colleagues, business, housework etc. to just do 5 deep breaths or 5 minutes of meditation.  
5. Ensure that you are eating 3 healthy meals throughout your day to keep you energized.
6. Schedule a couple of minutes at the end of your day to write in a journal.
7. Incorporate a morning routine and evening routine to bookmark your day.
8. Join an online community, such as a facebook group or page, that involves something you love or are passionate about.  

WiFi, coffee, my bed.

Perfection. 

My Self-Care Schedule

The key to developing a self-care routine that works for you is really looking at your day to day schedule. Where could you fit in a couple of minutes to devote to yourself? Can you spare 5 or 10 minutes each morning before diving into your crazy day to sit quietly and have a coffee? Look realistically at your schedule and use time blocks to book the time you need to look after yourself. 

I have included four strong self-care techniques that work for me and my current schedule:

1. Perform my morning routine
2. Eat 3 nutritious, healthy meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner). 
3. Do 15 - 45 minutes of yoga (includes stretching and a short meditation)
4. Perform evening routine

I have purposely and thoughtfully created this small self-care schedule to ensure that I am continually looking after myself and don't reach a breaking point where I feel overwhelmed or completely stressed out.