When I set myself a deadline for complete the paperwork for my Yoga Teacher Training. It was more work than I thought. Instead of extending the deadline, I worked harder, to the point where I stopped my regular self-care habits to fit it in. I’m sure you have done something similar.
How I work towards deadlines is one of the things I am exploring how to change. I am noticing more and more quickly when I am not looking after myself. I want to find a way to work that is more sympathetic with ageing well. Being your own boss is not always best for your self-care!
If you have a deadline due or perhaps just time poor, creating a list of the bare bones of your self-care can help to relieve the pressure and reduce feeling stressed about it. I often set deadlines for myself that can be a challenge, but I know it is a big motivator for me to complete tasks.
If your deadline is something that is planned and regular or perhaps month end or quarter end, what planning can you do beforehand?
- Food: having food that is quick and easy to cook is a priority here. What can you stock your cupboards with to help with that? I am a scrambled eggs for lunch girl, it doesn’t get much quicker than that!
- Stress: how do you manage your stress? Do you need to pop an alarm on your phone to remind you to do some breathing exercises or just to take a break? Be able to spot when you are stressed and being able to quickly do something about it.
- Dance it out: it’s so easy to have a cheesy tune at your finger tips to change your mood in 5 mins
For your physical self-care, what do you need to do to keep things ticking over? Everyone will have something different here:
- Sleep: it is first on my list for a reason and going to bed early is one of the things I would protect. Getting up early would be my preference as I am a morning person.
- Water: keep a big bottle on my desk as a reminder to keep hydrated
- Activity: getting to the gym may be a struggle. Yoga or Pilates at home may be a reduced session or perhaps some breathing.
- Activity: walking is high on my list as my brain works so much better when I am on my feet rather than sitting on my bum! It might not be 10,000 steps but anything is a bonus.
What else?
- Company: if you are an extrovert, getting out and speaking to people is necessary to help you regenerate even if you are busy
- If you are an empath like myself or an energy worker then grounding your energy is non-negotiable. The short version takes less than 5 minutes.
- Keep the kitchen tidy. There is nothing worse than having a quick lunch break only to find you need to spend it doing the dishes as you have used every dish. Tidy as you go, repetitive tasks are good for the brain too, and you’ll get some inspiration for your creative project.
- Keeping note of what you have done as well as what you, still have to do is important to help you feel you are making progress.
- Book into your usual classes for next week. You are more likely to go if you have booked in, and you will be annoyed if there isn’t a space!
- Verbal gratitude list at the end of the day if you don’t have time for a written one
How simple can you make self-care when your life is busy? What else would you add to this list, I would love to hear!
Samantha Valand is a Pilates teacher, Yoga Instructor and Personal Trainer. Who helps women fall in love with exercising again after the menopause. You can find some inspiration over on the blog Samatha has a free newsletter and a fun way to sign up is through my 'Elements of Exercise | Post menopause Quiz' which help you figure out what type of fitness focus to set next using Elements of Exercise framework
