Introduction
Putting yourself first is not, as many people think, selfish. It's a basic human need to take care of ourselves, and do the things we need to do in order to be productive, healthy humans. You can't pour from an empty cup, and you can't float a boat with a hole in the bottom. The time you invest in taking care of yourself will come back to you tenfold in the long run. Here are 9 ways you make some time for self-care today!
1. Take a few minutes to practice deep breathing.
The first thing to understand is that deep breathing is not the same as shallow breathing. With shallow breathing, you are taking short breaths and then quickly exhaling them. You may even be holding your breath sometimes. This is not good for your body or your mind, so it's important to make sure you don't do this when practicing deep breathing exercises.
To practice proper deep breathing:
Breathe slowly through your nose
Let all of the air out of your lungs after each breath (don’t try to hold on to any!)
Repeat these steps until you feel calm
2. Start your day with a WRITTEN list.
The first thing you should do at the beginning of your day is create a list. Make sure it includes everything that needs to get done, but don't feel like you have to do all of them. Prioritize what's most important for today and make sure those items are done first, before moving on to other tasks. The most important aspect of this step is to stay Realistic and Practical in your list making. If you have 10-15 tasks on your list I am assuring you that you are not being realistic in your expectations of your own time at all. Condense your list to 3-5 important goals/tasks a day. You will see the rate of your successful days sky-rocket once you do that.
Here are some ideas for what could go on your list:
Eat breakfast or pack lunch for work/school
Make doctor appointments or schedule maintenance appointments (for example, car, home repairs)
Check email inboxes and respond quickly
Schedule a self-care activity for the day(that doesn't include your daily exercise), big or small (for example; soak in the tub instead of quick shower at the end of the night, oil your scalp before wrapping it for bed, turn on aromatherapy diffuser before bed, read a book that induces peace and joy before bed, sit on a bench next to the park during lunch)
3. Make time for exercise each day.
Make time for exercise each day.
Exercise helps improve your mood, sleep, productivity and more.
One of the most important things you can do to take care of yourself is to make sure you're getting enough exercise. It's easy to fall into a routine where you don't make time for physical activity every day—or even once a week—but when you find yourself in that rut, it becomes important that you do something about it.
4. Make time for a healthy breakfast.
The first step to putting yourself first is making time for a healthy breakfast. Studies have shown that people who eat a healthy breakfast are more likely to lose weight than those who skip it, so it's essential to get this down pat. You should aim to eat within 90 minutes of waking up each morning—that's the best way to start your day off on the right foot! By eating breakfast, you'll ensure that your blood sugar levels stay steady throughout the day and avoid energy crashes later on. In addition, eating an early meal can help you feel full until lunchtime or longer if necessary; thus reducing cravings for unhealthy snacks later on in the day (which definitely don't serve anyone).
5. Make time for regular check-ins with yourself.
Be kind to yourself.
Ask yourself what you need.
Ask yourself what you want.
Ask yourself what you are afraid of.
Ask yourself what you want to do.
Ask yourself what you want to change.
Ask yourself what you want to become. (VERY IMPORTANT!)
6. Set boundaries and stick to them.
You are not a doormat. You are a human being with needs and desires, and you deserve to be treated accordingly. Setting boundaries is the first step in putting yourself first every day, because it shows that you care about your own well-being more than anything else.
Setting boundaries means making decisions about what you will—and won't—do for others, and sticking to them even when people around you don't respect them or try to convince you otherwise. If someone asks if they can borrow money, insist on paying back the loan; set aside time each day for yourself; say no when someone asks too much of your time or energy; don't let anyone rush through a conversation without listening closely; tell people what works best for them so they have an idea of how far away from their house is okay before asking them out again (or worse yet: trying over and over again). The most important thing is that whatever decision you make should be based on what feels comfortable and safe for YOU!
7. Learn to say 'no.'
You’re not a doormat.
You get to choose who you interact with and what you say, so don’t feel guilty about it.
Saying no shows that you have boundaries and that your needs are important too.
Remember that every yes has a no attached to it! If you have 10 yes' for the day and you give them all out to others, you have to keep the 10 no's for yourself. That sounds like a terrible exchange if you ask me.
8. Gently remind yourself that you are responsible for your feelings, not others.
You are responsible for your own feelings. You cannot control others’ feelings, nor do you have the power to control how they attempt to treat you or think about you. You can only control your actions, thoughts and reactions. That is all the power that any of us has—and if we choose to use it wisely, we will be taking care of ourselves no matter what happens in any given situation.
9. Taking care of yourself first can help you get more out of life in some positive ways.
Putting yourself first doesn’t mean you’re selfish or ungrateful. In fact, doing so can help you in several ways.
It can make you more productive. When your mind and body are well rested, it’s easier to focus on what needs to be done.
It can make you happier. Stepping back from the rush of everyday life to spend some time alone with yourself allows space for reflection and self-care—a surefire way toward living a better life!
It can give you more energy. By giving into those moments when we feel tired or ill, we often start feeling worse—not just emotionally but also physically too! When your body needs rest, take it; when it needs exercise (but not over-exercise) get moving; if there's something that could be making us sick (like stress), remove it from our lives or find a new way of embracing this moment instead of avoiding it altogether until later...we might find ourselves feeling much better after all!
So there you have it, 9 simple ways to put yourself first each and every day.
Are you looking to change your lifestyle and transform yourself into a better version of yourself?
Unlock the secrets for a more productive, efficient, and fulfilling life with our personal development workshops.
Become a part of our growing V.A.S.T Community by attending our upcoming session!
- Weekly Personal Development Workshops
- Q&A Sessions
- Feature video recordings of group sessions
-Expert Guest Masterclasses
-Private V.A.S.T Online Community Access
The V.A.S.T. Community is a safe place for busy women to meet, learn and grow with other like-minded women. Embrace your full potential! Learn to feel more in control, more present and more excited about your life with this exclusive online V.A.S.T Women's Community. Click the link below to get on our waitlist for September, 2022! That's it! Can't wait to see you there!