A side effect of modern life seems to be that we’re always on the go. From balancing your career and personal life, to spending time with your family, it can be hard to find time in your schedule to dedicate to yourself and self-care. Finding time for self-care can often take a backseat to our other responsibilities and obligations, but it’s important to take the time to feel refreshed and rejuvenated.
Here’s our top 7 tips for finding time for self-care, even if you’re living an ‘on the go’ lifestyle!
1. Master a go-to meal
When we’re having a busy day, or even a busy week or month, taking care of our nutritional needs is often the first thing to go out the window. Eating well is one of the most basic aspects of self-care, although it might sound obvious – but how often do we just grab something with little to no nutritional value because we’re in a rush? Finding time for self-care with our food is easy, if you can master just one or two meals that you can whip up when you’re too tired or busy to think about your next meal. Think about what you can make that is simple, with ingredients like lean proteins, whole grains and fresh fruit and veg that will take care of your nutritional needs.
2. Meditate
Taking some time out of your schedule to meditate is a great way to practice self-care. Meditation is a great way to tap into yourself and increase your sense of self-awareness, which can help with your well-being. However, if you’re on the go it can be hard to find the time. Taking just five to ten minutes to check in with yourself is a great way to add meditation into your daily routine. Setting up an area in your home where you can sit in peace is a great way to help yourself relax and switch off from your busy lifestyle for a few moments.
3. Have set work and play hours
Technology is a vital part of modern day to day life, but it can make it hard to switch off. Smartphones, email and instant messaging means that we’re reachable at all hours of the day and night, and can the lines between work and our personal lives blur. It’s easy to pick up your phone and reply to that work email straight away, but having set working hours and personal hours is a simple way to find time for self-care. It ensures that you’re present in your personal life and not letting your to-do list cloud over time spent with friends or family.
4. Practice yoga breaths
For those days where you just can’t find the time for a yoga practice, or even our quicker classes, you can still bring a bit of yoga to your life by practicing yoga breaths. Taking the time for conscious breathing will bring you into the same zen-like mind-set you experience while in a yoga pose.
5. Write down your to-do list
This might seem like a simple action, but finding time for self-care can be just as simple as staying a little more organized. If you’ve got a hectic day with lots to do, take a few moments to write down the tasks you have to complete, and don’t forget to include basic items, like ‘have lunch’ or ‘take five minutes to meditate’. You’ll feel a sense of achievement as you tick things off throughout the day, rather than feel overwhelmed.
6. Keep active
Keeping moving throughout the day is important for your mind and body to take a break. This might be hard for those who have a desk job, and it’s easy to stay sat in our office chairs from 9 to 5 without taking a break. Try to set reminders to get up, stretch, and walk around for even just five or ten minutes. This can help your clear your mind, and gain perspective. If you can get outside, even better!
7. Start your day with yoga
If you don’t find time during the day or evening, consider moving your yoga practice to the morning. This week’s classes on Yoga Download are designed to slot into a busy life, and are the perfect way for finding time for self-care. If you get into the habit of starting your day with a yoga practice, you’re helping to set the tone for the rest of the day, and start with an energized and calm mind-set. Not a morning person? Try just setting your alarm for a few moments earlier each day, till you’re waking up with enough time for your yoga flow.
By Amy Cavill
Pressed for time? Check out these yoga classes designed to fit perfectly into your busy day!
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