Self-Care for Busy People

Over the past few years, I have had many people ask me how I’m able to do everything I do and make it look so seamless.  Between working full-time, blogging, and having a full calendar with family and friends, it can be a lot.  Truth be told, I’m surprised that it looks easy on the outside but trust me- I have my days and it’s not always easy trying to be on top of things.

However, one thing that helps me keep it together is having a self-care routine each week.  I like to take time to myself to unwind, relax and re-energize.  I know most people think that you need to not be a busy person to have a self-care routine.  But I’m going to prove you wrong!  I’m able to give myself a self-care routine each week – despite my busy schedule.  So, I’ve compiled a list of my top tips that help me with my self-care, as a busy person.   Without further ado, check out my self-care tips for busy people below.

Get Organized

Giving my most important tip first – is not my usual way of listing my tips.  But without this first tip, the others are not possible.  Getting organized is important for busy people.  Having a way to keep your life together is a great way to know how much time you have for certain tasks.  It’s also a great way to figure out pockets of free time in which you can do one of your self-care routines or do nothing at all – which is always extremely important to do.

One way I like to get organized is by using a paper planner.  I have tried using a Google Calendar, using a notepad to keep dates/events together, etc.  Neither one of those methods for me worked besides using a paper planner (my favorite is the Happy Planner brand).  So, find a way that helps you keep yourself organized.  Whether that’s a paper planner, a note pad or a digital form – do what works for you.

Move Your Body

I can’t stress this enough but moving your body will help you feel less stressed and less worried about finding time for a self-care routine.  For most busy people, carving out a thirty-minute workout routine can be a huge task.  However, when you think of ways to move your body and incorporate it into your daily routine – you will feel a lot better.  Moving your body keeps your blood flow going and releases endorphins that keep you happy.

There are many ways that I like to move my body daily.  Since I work full-time, it’s hard for me to find time to move my body when I’m stuck at a desk for 40+ hours a week.  So, I’ve added small changes to my daily routine to move my body more. 

For instance, I will park my car the furthest away from the office.  This allows me to walk for an extra 5-10 minutes before and after work, allowing me to move my legs more.  I also like to take the stairs instead of the elevator at work.  At one point, I was working on the fifth floor of a building.  So, every day, before and after work, I would take five flights of stairs.  Taking the stairs is good for your health and allows more movement for your body.

Keep in mind that I also work out for thirty minutes- one hour, six days a week.  While I consider myself a busy person, I carve out the time for my workouts no matter what.  In addition to my workouts, I’ll try to move as much as I can during the day.

Multi-tasking

Multitasking is essential for busy people.  Without multitasking, it’s hard for busy people to get through their to-do lists.  For those that don’t know what multitasking is, it’s when you do two or more tasks at the same time.  For instance, you can be eating dinner and binging a new tv show at the same time or you can walk your dog and listen to a podcast at the same time.  Most people do some form of multitasking on a daily anyway.  However, for busy people, multitasking and the self-care routine can be essential to use your time wisely.

For me, I like to do a face mask as I put away my laundry or I like to curl my hair as I’m calling a friend to catch up.  Combining a self-care routine, such as a face mask or hairstyling, with a chore such as folding laundry or catching up with family is a great way to cross off two tasks from your to-do list.  For some busy people, since they have limited time, multitasking is the best way to do a self-care routine in combination with a daily chore.

Schedule your Self-Care

For a while, right as I joined Corporate America, I was struggling with finding times for my self-care tasks.  I always needed to juggle between my job, wellness routines, and family/friends’ social life.  It was hard to find time between all those aspects of life, to give myself a moment to relax and do what I enjoy.

However, after much trial and error, I realized that scheduling a time for my self-care was the best way to carve out time for myself.  For instance, every time I folded my laundry (which is usually once a week), I would put on a face mask.  I hate when my clean laundry piles up, so I make it a point to put away my clothes at least every Sunday or Monday of the week.  I knew that doing both these tasks together will ensure that I get both my self-care routine and my laundry completed. 

Set Boundaries

One of my second most important tips and saved this one for last, is to set boundaries.  Setting boundaries is important when you are giving time to yourself to unwind.  Having distractions or multiple tasks come your way will not allow you to fully relax.  Setting boundaries also comes in many forms like setting boundaries with friends/family as well as setting boundaries with yourself.

For example, when setting boundaries with friends and family, know when you need to say no to certain events or tasks to help.  My hubby and I like to carve out Sundays as our self-care days/do what you want day.  Unless something important comes up with families, such as Mother’s Day or a birthday event, we usually block off our Sunday for ourselves and do our own thing.  It helps us unwind, and also keeps us happy and refreshed for the new week ahead.

In addition, when setting boundaries with yourself, make sure to turn off the distractions such as your phone. This will allow you to focus, when doing one of your self-care tasks.

And that is the end of my self-care tips for busy people!  I hope you enjoyed the tips that I have provided.  Which self-care tip will you be incorporating into your new routine?  Let me know in the comments below!

Much Love,