I think it’s a female thing. Taking care of others before taking care of ourselves.
I don’t do it on purpose, and you might not either, but it happens. It’s often instinctive.
That never-ending list of things we need to get done ticks away in our heads and sometimes we forget that we need to slow down.
We need to take time for ourselves. To care for ourselves.
Do you make time?
I remember way before my VA days, I was in my early 20s trying to figure out what I was going to be when I grew up.
I was working as a courier driving packages around the city. It was a good job and I was able to make as much money as I wanted. The better I did my job, the more money I made. I ate my lunch in my car every day. Sometimes breakfast and dinner too. I remember bursting into tears one day as I was eating a cheese sandwich in the driver’s seat. I thought ‘What am I doing? This isn’t me. This is not how I should be earning a living.’
That moment has always stuck with me. I guess it might have been my tipping point!
In business it’s when you hit that wall. When you try to take that breath and it’s so hard.
Sometimes it’s referred to as burnout. It’s emotional overload. And it comes out when you stop caring for yourself.
There are so many things we can do to make sure that we remain in the top form that we are capable of.
Here are my best tips on self care:
1. Eat right. I have a rule that I do not eat in front of my computer. I know so many VAs who snack all day or eat their meals at their desks. You probably figured out where this rule came from – LOL – but I think it’s really important, even if it only takes you 10 minutes to eat, to do it away from your desk. No snacks either! Get up and sit someplace lovely to fuel your body. And yes, food should be fuel. Strive to eat well. Cheat sometimes, but make the majority of it good for you!
2. Rest properly. Now this means sleep and also taking breaks during the day. I know a lot of VAs who burn the midnight oil all the time. It’s okay if you have to work odd hours, but you still have to make sure that you are taking proper breaks so that your body and your mind can rejuvenate. Turn off your digital stuff before bed and unwind. It helps to quiet your mind and prepares you for the next day. Honestly.
3. Move. Whether you do yoga, walk or love cross-fit, you have to move your body to keep your muscles and bones supple and strong. I don’t do cross-fit but I do love to do yoga or stretch. It is relaxing and it keeps me in tune with issues in my body that need attention. Make the time to fit some movement into your day every day and your body will thank you! Playing music while you work can really help with that! Dance break!!
4. Make good decisions. Many people will tell you to say no more often. I say make good decisions. If you think something can fit into your schedule then do it. If you don’t then say no. The best habit you can form in your business is a decision-making habit. So many of us come from a support background and our instinct is to help someone when they ask. But you need to assess whether that is a good decision for you. When you look at things this way it’s easier to choose properly.
5. Get distracted. I know, I always says keep distractions to a minimum. And I mean that, when you are focusing on a task. When you are done your work, get your mind off of things. All work and no play made Jack Nicholson nutty. And it will do the same for you. Instead of picking up a business book every evening, change it up and distract yourself. A friend of mine gave me this good advice recently and I have done it. It makes a world of difference to take some pressure off of your mind by thinking about things other than business.
What other things do you do to care for yourself? These are my favourites, and they are things that I try to keep at the front of my mind all the time. Some days it’s easier than others!
If you need help with your self-care, check out these blog posts for some inspiration!