Photo by Team B4BC rider Kimmy Fasani
If you’re a driven, passionate person who wants to do great things, you probably have a tendency to overload yourself with endless meetings, appointments and to-do lists. We get it — feeling busy can make us feel good but this typically only goes well for a while until, one day, you wake up completely exhausted, overwhelmed and drained. Those are not adjectives that generally describe a healthy, happy person.
Loving yourself is one of our 8 Steps to Stomp Out Breast Cancer and we think it is oh so important. Making sure you are feeling healthy mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually should be one of your main focuses in life. The better you’re feeling the lower your risk will be for diseases like breast cancer (and you’ll be a generally happier person!) Check out the self-care tips below to make sure you’re giving yourself the love and respect you deserve!
SET BOUNDARIES
Think about the areas in your life that drain you. Think about the people in you life who suck your energy. What sorts of tasks and obligations leave you feeling exhausted? Your answers will reveal where you need to create boundaries.
Saying no isn’t always easy, but there are graceful ways to do this without hurting other people’s feelings. For example, when declining an invitation you can say “This sounds like such a wonderful event and I can tell that you put a lot of love into it, but unfortunately I have to decline. I really look forward to the next one.” Honor the invitation, but stand up for what you need.
GET CLEAR ON WHAT YOU REALLY DESIRE
Sometimes we chase the wrong goals in life, simply because we think that we should. Going after goals (a career, a partner, or a body) that are not actually in line with your truth will always exhaust you. That will keep you in a “busy” cycle without paying you back in any meaningful way. You won’t feel recharged and you’ll inevitably find yourself feeling too unsatisfied.
REVIEW YOUR PRIORITIES BEFORE YOU START YOUR DAY
Look at your to-do list and split it into two categories: “urgent” and “would be nice.” In other words, ask yourself: What needs to happen today? Keep this list to three major things. If you finish early, you can always go back to the list and tackle more. Starting the day overwhelmed will not get you anywhere, so take 10 minutes each morning to map out your daily tasks.
CREATE DEADLINES FOR YOURSELF
If you start a project with the vague idea that you’ll finish it, there’s nothing pulling you through. Instead, put a mental note that says “I will finish this project by 2pm.” Then work toward that deadline. (This is particularly important if you are a perfectionist who can easily work on any even mundane task for hours!)
MAKE SPACE FOR SELF-CARE EVERYDAY
This is a non-negotiable. I am not saying you have to spend vast amounts of time on a beautiful two-hour nature walk every day —during certain periods that is just unrealistic — but I’d recommend taking at least 30 minutes at some point during the day and three 20-minute breaks throughout the day to tune in, get into your body, and free your mind to wander aimlessly.
SPEND TIME IN SISTERHOOD (OR BROTHERHOOD)
Surround yourself with people who understand you, support you, and want to see you thrive. Our lives can sometimes feel burdensome and we forget that ultimately we are only “alone in this” if we choose to be. If you don’t have a support system, create one. Your friends will thank you.
Source: Mind Body Green
