Self-Care is Important!

“Do less.”

“Simplify your life.”

“Stop being so busy!”

Busy is a word that has become synonymous with success. We are busy because we have so much going on, and we’re successful because we’re always working hard. But lately I’ve started to wonder: Is it possible that being too busy isn’t actually helpful? In fact, could being too busy make us less productive in the long run? If you’re looking for ways to relieve your stress and increase productivity at work or home, here are some things I’ve been trying lately that have helped me feel less overwhelmed.

When was the last time you felt so busy that it was difficult to get through the day? I do, and I know many others who do as well. There is a lot going on in everyone’s life. In addition to work, friends and family, pets and plants, the list goes on and on! However, we cannot ignore this feeling of overwhelm. Eventually, we will burn out or feel stuck in a rut without a way out if we do that.

You may need to let go of some things or stop doing other things for a while, in order to make room for the things that matter. You may need to ask for support from others. Or maybe you just need to change your perspective.

Establish a daily routine

Once you’ve established what’s important to you, it’s time to create a routine. This is the daily structure that will help guide your choices and keep you focused on what matters.

The key here is consistency—the more regular you can make your habits, the more they’ll become ingrained in your life. Aim for three main things: eating meals at roughly the same time every day; getting up and going to bed at roughly the same time every day (or as close to it as possible); and having some kind of exercise or physical activity every day (even if it’s just going for a walk).

Take time to reflect and plan

When you’re feeling overwhelmed, the first thing to do is take time to reflect and plan. Here are some options for doing that:

• Take a walk around the block or down the street
• Listen to music or an audio book on your commute (on a bus, train or subway)

Learn to say no

You might find yourself saying no to someone on a daily basis. But do you know how to do it in a way that doesn’t make people feel like they’ve been rejected? Here are some tips:

• Think of an excuse. Usually the best reason for saying no is: “I have other plans.” This reply can be used for anything from attending an event to helping out with something or even just spending time with friends and family. If someone asks you why you’re not going, simply say that your plans are more important than theirs!

Change your perspective

When you’re busy, it can be hard to see the big picture or why you’re doing what you’re doing. But if we could see our lives as a whole, perhaps we wouldn’t feel so overwhelmed by our busy schedules.

You might have heard of the concept of “work/life balance,” which means trying not to let work take over your life. This sounds like a good idea, but what does it really mean?

It’s about finding meaning in your job and making sure that whatever work-related goals or dreams you have fit into your life plan as well as possible—and then making sure those plans are realistic and achievable (instead of just being dreams).

You might feel like there’s no time for anything, but we hope this blog has given you some inspiration to make a change. Start small and work your way up from there! As always, remember to take care of yourself first. If that means taking an hour off every day for solitude or meditation—do it! 

Remember not to let your busyness consume you completely; otherwise, what good are any of these tips?