How to Find Time to Take Care of Yourself

Self-care has become a buzzword in the last few years and for a very good reason. It’s being floated around so much, a lot of people are wondering what it’s all about.

The fact is, the concept – of making time to care for yourself – is so basic it’s a wonder why it even has to sound like advocacy to promote. But given the kind of environment and culture we have today, where almost everyone is talking about ‘success’, ‘hustle’, ‘financial freedom’, and ‘millionaire mindset’, it’s little wonder why something so basic as caring for oneself has been pushed down in the list of life’s priorities. It has also become lumped in the same category as self-indulgence or self-centered thinking.

Some may even argue that self-care is juvenile, lazy, and downright selfish. Life doesn’t wait on anyone and time spent on ‘unproductive’ things such as setting aside time for yourself means lost opportunity. That your friends are getting way ahead while you spend precious hours in a spa or doing yoga.

And that’s how we are conditioned. Many associate the term ‘self-care’ with simply spoiling yourself. This erroneous, diluted idea is what makes some people give little weight to the value of self-care. To appreciate the beauty of it, it is important to understand that self-care is essential if you want to win in life in the first place. We want to succeed because we want to fulfill OUR dreams – whether it be helping the family, community, or society, making an impact, or maximizing our potential. 

It all begins with us. A dream, a plan, or a vision that we act on.

Having said that, let me underscore that winning in life and self-care doesn’t have to be mutually exclusive. In fact, they go hand-in-hand.

You care about your abilities and you get frustrated when you know you can do so much more, but the opportunities are limited. And so, to pursue your dreams, you hustle some more. 

But the culture of ‘success before 30’ and "40 under 40" list or equating being busy with productivity causes people to get caught up in ‘life on the fast lane’ thinking that it is the only right way life should be. Slowing down is good, but not as important. 

It may also come from another faulty idea that while ‘hustling’ is investing time, money, and energy, ‘self-care’ is simply spending resources. Right? WRONG.

Self-care is investing in yourself so you can unleash your greater potential as a human being and not simply as a seeker of the money, status, and prestige kind of success. 

In fact, self-care isn’t just about baths, bubbles, and booze. It can also be things like prayer, meditation, taking a walk, reading a book, or re-watching the Great British Baking Show or The Real Housewives of Wherever (I definitely plead guilty to those last two). It is treating yourself to life’s pleasures that give the body and soul a sense of perspective and peace. The kind that makes you feel important enough to purposefully take a moment to rest and recharge. Batteries need it for their optimum performance, humans do too. 

And it doesn’t have to take much of your time either. Self-care can happen in just a few minutes too. In fact, self-care could mean doing nothing if that’s what your body is longing for. A respite from the daily hustle and bustle and a time for simple stillness – no sound nor movement, just hearing your breaths and staring into space. Amazing how this could help put you back in balance, regain your focus, and optimize your energy. 

Here are a few self-care activities you can do depending on your preference. I’ve grouped them according to the amount of time you can spend.

- Breathe deeply. Inhale till the count of three, hold for three and exhale at the count of three. Repeat as often as you want.

- Mentally recite affirming statements to calm your mind like “Take life one day at a time” or, one of my favorites "I can do hard things" to lead your thoughts in the right direction.

- Daydream about your ideal life. Seriously, just sit there and think about how you want your life to look. When you see it, you start to believe, and then you can work on being it, however, you define "it" 

- Do the same to your lips, hands, or feet. For your feet, you may also use petroleum jelly and put on socks overnight for a spa feel in the morning. 

- Read a daily devotional book and meditate on its ‘message for the day’. 

- Pour out some red wine and have a few sips while listening to your favorite music.

- Have a mini spa day! Give yourself a facial mask and do a sugar lip scrub.

- Do a quick 15-minute workout routine (YouTube has a lot of video tutorials you can choose from)

- Indulge in your favorite snack, like ice cream, and truly savor it. (Note: If you have kids, you may need to hide in a closet or car to do this successfully)

- Read a few chapters of a good book. 

- Have a conversation with a friend. 

- Take a walk in the nearby park or your own garden. 

- Power nap or sleep like a baby. 

You see, self-care doesn’t have to be lavish or indulgent.

Simple pleasures are actually the easiest to have and do. And don’t ever believe the myth that self-care is selfish. Because while it is about you, the benefits extend beyond you. 

You feel reinvigorated and motivated, you remember what really matters in your life and your priorities get streamlined. You see clarity instead of clutter. You get rid of the noise that often messes up people’s emotions. What remains are the things that make you truly happy and fulfilled, while doing what sets apart life from mere existence.

That's what self-care is: valuing yourself as much as you value others.