Do you ever feel guilty taking time for yourself?

Self-care shouldn’t be a thing of the past. Here’s why you don’t have to “earn” me-time or feel guilty about taking it.

It’s so easy to make [fill in the blank] your whole life. Whether it’s work, kids, caring for others or home improvement projects, it can be hard to disconnect and take a step back. Plus, with the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re all facing something we’ve never experienced before…an insurmountable level of stress. If we’re not putting our energy into something, we feel guilty, selfish, wasteful. Believe me, as a mom of twins and small business owner, I can empathize.

As much as you you might love your work, etc, it can become consuming and stressful if you let it.

That email (dishes, laundry, etc) can probably wait a few hours or even until the next business day, if needed, so you can knock off a little early and make time for you.

Every week, look at your calendar and book some “me time.”

Head to the gym, catch a sunrise at the beach, read a book, make a nice meal, go for bike ride, meditate, work on personal goals… get enough sleep. Whatever is important to you, schedule in the time for yourself.  Literally book an appointment with yourself and then DO NOT CANCEL.

Take time away from “being busy” to relax and do something you enjoy (that has nothing to do with deadlines, homework or responding to emails) and that makes you a better person from the inside- out.

It’s not only better for your brain to disconnect, it’s better for your overall health to step away and make time for YOU….before you have nothing left to give. Psychologists agree self-care is effective against all kinds of external stress and can help you:

1 – Relax your Mind
2 – Boost Concentration & Focus
3 – Understand Yourself
4 – Resolve Problems
5 – Build Mental Strength

Because, if you’re not caring for yourself emotionally, mentally and physically, how can you give it your all in your work, for your kids or for others?

Even if it’s just taking five minutes to get up from your desk every hour for a little stretch break or scheduling in your workout (and then not cancelling on yourself). In the end, carving out time for yourself (and then actually taking it) will help you be a better employee, parent, spouse, etc.

Let’s be honest. When the **** hits the fan, so can a lot of our healthy habits. Maybe the chips are disappearing from the cabinets a little faster than usual or maybe you’re i the thrones of a full-on Netflix and wine binge.

Guess what?

You’re human. It’s okay. Seriously. I never judge and I understand you more than you might realize. You’re not alone. This is normal. The last thing you want to do is harm yourself further by beating yourself up. That will only amplify the stress-loop-of-doom even more.

Instead: The key here is to recognize those patterns so you’re better prepared to make future changes. But the only way you’ll get to that point is to go deep with yourself. So, strap on your scuba gear and bust out your journal. Time for some honest self-talk.

Then…MOVE ON. And recognize it’s ok to ask for help.

Nourishing our body with good, clean food is the foundation of health. Diet culture and Instagram influencers often make food out to be the enemy or as something that needs to be controlled. However, the food we eat impacts our ability to thrive and can be a form of self-care.

Here are a couple of ways to practice self-care through nutrition:

That’s what I call self-care.

In our busy world of endless to-do’s, it’s essential to give yourself permission to take a mini time-out and recharge your batteries. Doing so will help you prevent burnout, reduce stress and refocus your energy.

Your time and your energy is precious and should be respected. Because, if we treat ourselves as less important, it’s likely that same response will be mirrored back by colleagues, family and friends.

Especially as a parent, you want to ensure that your children know that they deserve the same quality of care and attention as everyone and everything else… help them feel confident about making the time for themselves by leading by example.

Do you struggle with self-care? At Salus Nutrition, we care for our clients the same way they care for their own loved ones. You’ll find countless diets, programs and fads out there…but Salus Nutrition Coaching is the only program designed to take care of what matters most to you (your nutrition, wellness and well-being) the same way you would take care of those who matter most to you, too.

It’s not about criticizing your food log or demanding you do fasted cardio, it’s about recognizing your unique needs and giving you the help and support you deserve.

So, let us help you.

We accept a small number of new clients every month, so reach out and get your name on the list today.

The post Taking Time for Yourself: Why Self-Care is SO Important appeared first on Salus.