My computer notifications sing in my ear while my iPhone vibrates in my pocket, each alerting me to new information that day. Emails, tweets, and texts all poke and prod me like eager children asking me to “look” at the newest development.
I value and respect productivity and efficiency just as much as the next person inspired by the “hustle.” I am quite blessed that I enjoy my work, and that I am always looking to start the next task on my never-ending to-do list.
However, there is one item on my list that always seem to be overlooked, pushed aside, forgotten, or even removed from my list when perceived as “unnecessary.” Nevertheless, this task is anything, but unnecessary.
Deborah Day, the author of BE HAPPY NOW!, has stated the importance of the unnecessary, forgotten task: "Nourish yourself in a way that helps you blossom in the direction you want to go … you are worth the effort.” In addition, clinical psychologist Christopher Germer explains how “self-compassion is simply giving the same kindness to ourselves that we would give to others.”
Researchers and experts (and those wiser than I) have all come to the same conclusion: self-care is important and critical to one’s overall being. Yes, this seems quite obvious, yet too many of us neglect our self-care needs.
We live in the world where it is more valuable to protect iPhones with Otterboxes and LifeProof cases than to protect our mental health with simple self-care practices. Self-care can be as simple as closing your eyes and taking some deep breaths between deadlines or meetings. Self-care can be cuddling with a pet, going on a walk, coloring, crafting, reading, and so much more.
Why is it that we deny ourselves the mental breaks and downtime we deserve? Because we are busy, we have always been busy.
But what many of us forget is that self-care breaks in our day keeps us form getting bored, unfocused, and thus, unproductive. University of Illinois psychology professor Alejandro Lleras explains: "Deactivating and reactivating your goals allows you to stay focused," he said.
"From a practical standpoint, our research suggests that, when faced with long tasks [such as studying before a final exam or doing your taxes], it is best to impose brief breaks on yourself. Brief mental breaks will actually help you stay focused on your task!"
Self-care breaks also aid information retention and making connections in our brains. Lleras describes "when you’re focusing, you’re actually blocking your access to the diffuse mode. And the diffuse mode, it turns out, is what you often need to be able to solve a very difficult, new problem." Harvard Business Review presents yet another prime benefit of self care: “it allows us to take a step back and make sure we’re accomplishing the right things in the right way.”
Our lives are busy. We juggle quite a bit, but as this new academic year dawns, please place self care on your to-do list and ACTUALLY do it. Taking care of yourself in this loud world has to remain a priority not just for your well-being, but for your career, school work, family, relationships, and more. You cannot take care of anyone or anything else until YOU are taken care of.
