SELF CARE IS NOT A LUXURY, IT’S A MUST
Member feature by : Jennifer Botha of VA Connect
People used to think that self care was a luxury that only the wealthy indulged in, but today with the ever increasing fast paced lifestyle people live, it is a necessity for everyone in order to be able to function at optimal levels.
Self-care comes in many forms and shapes
What are the things that you love to do, eat, smell, see….? I’m sure that some of these things can be incorporated into your general every day to day life. Simple things like stepping away from your office space just for a few minutes at a time can make a huge difference to how you feel physically and mentally.
Grab a delicious snack and go sit outside for a few minutes, even if it’s cold outside. I personally love doing this myself. It makes me feel alive. One of my joys is taking close up photos of flowers. It’s truly amazing to me how much stunning beauty in the details is missed if you don’t get in close.
A simple little weed in the grass is an exquisite beauty.
You need to make a point of taking that timeout, whatever it is that delights you, especially when you are struggling to get your head around a problem solving task for instance. Incorporating something you love into each day will make those monotonous, mundane tasks easier to do if you allow yourself to break away even just for a few minutes. Indulge yourself a little.
Step away from the noise
We are living in a constant din of devices all day, in the car, in the office, at the shops and yes, even in the ladies room. There seems to be no escape, even from the constant voice in your head that is planning, reasoning, deciding…
This takes some practise but is possible. Find a spot somewhere (leave the phone behind, it is not a life support device) and be still. Tune your ears into the natural sounds and close your eyes, you will be amazed at what you hear.
Stepping away from the office for a few minutes for a coffee break.
Sleep yourself awake
I’m sure you must have heard the phrase “bright-eyed and bushy-tailed”. It’s a terrible thing to feel like you have to drag yourself through the day, how wonderful it feels to be wide awake and feeling great. You need to have self discipline to ensure that you get enough sleep. Get to know how many hours of good sleep you need to feel on top of the world and do your best to get it.
What also works wonders is to take a power nap during the day if you are feeling tired and dull. Ideally the best time is between 1 and 4pm for about 10 to 30 minutes maximum. I do this occasionally and it has worked wonders for me. Give it a try.
My Snuggles having his cat “power nap”.
If you’re are interested in finding out more about Jennifer and how VA Connect can help your business, please visit our members page.