Too often we live our lives running from one task to the next, crossing items off our endless to-do list of life. But when we're always on the go it's easy to forget to take care of the one thing we depend on: ourselves. So wherever you find your crazy life taking you, don't forget to tend to these key areas.
Hobbies
Whether you have five minutes to spare or an hour, set aside time to do the things that make you happy. Pick up the book you've been wanting to read, spend some time outside, or indulge your creative side -- wherever you find yourself happiest and relaxed! This serves two purposes: 1) it allows you to destress and 2) it reminds yourself of the wonderful things that make you you.
Exercise
Okay, so exercise may not be everyone's thing but chances are if you make time to take care of your body, it will reward you. If you're not naturally someone who is gung-ho to hit the gym, try using different activities to spice up your exercise life (Zumba, hiking, yoga, spinning, walking, etc.). Exercise can be a great outlet for many as a way to diversify activities, fighting off that "rut" we all aim to steer clear of. Also, exercise should overall strengthen your muscles and leave you feeling rejuvenated (the perfect combination for your hustle and bustle life). What better thing to invest in than yourself?
Health
Dieting isn't easy for everyone. We all know we are supposed to eat right, avoid junk food, and spoil ourselves with sweets sparingly... Yet, I can't say that is easy to stick to. What we can all hold ourselves to is making sure to drink enough water and taking care of our daily hygienic and cosmetic duties. When you drink the amount of water that you are supposed to, you should see healthier skin, feel more energetic, and be less likely to experience cravings. So now that you are feeling better on the inside, you can also tend to any exterior areas. Whether this is your skin, hair, or whatever you would like to improve, allow yourself a small amount of time to do so. You'd be surprised how simple things like this will overall leave you feeling more put together and ready to take on whatever life throws at you.
Relationships
Ironically, a large part of our self-care comes from devoting time to the relationships we have with others. It's important that we don't take these for granted. It's easy to become so overwhelmed by our busy schedules that we neglect our relationships with our friends, family, or significant others. We neglect our relationships when we find ourselves distracted by the world around us. Make sure to take time to actively be a part of this relationship because it takes two to tango, right? When you are talking, be present and not distracted. Give up some of the spotlight and take an interest in their lives and what they have going on. Finally, always maintain these relationships in a healthy manner. When you're in a good place with the ones you love, you will definitely find yourself happier and at ease.
Alone Time
We all use alone time for different reasons, some for relaxation, some for an escape from conflict, and some as a sort of safe haven from the rest of the world. Meditation, yoga, Netflix, sleep, music...take your pick! It's important to allow yourself time to rest. If you choose to simply keep going and going, eventually it will take a toll on either your work or your health. Rest is to be treated as the sort of "pit stop" of life -- just enough time to stop and refuel on energy and peace of mind to be more prepared physically and mentally.
Knowing Yourself
Now, arguably the more difficult part, but possibly the most rewarding, is knowing how to be alone with yourself. Especially in a world distracted by technology, most people have a hard time being alone and not doing anything. When someone is alone in public, what is the most common reaction? Most people would pull out their phones and scroll through social media websites, text someone, or maybe even pretend to be on a call (don't say you don't know someone guilty of this). This is why it is incredibly important to be comfortable with the one person we are with the most, ourselves. So get to know yourself! Think about the questions you have, what has been on your mind, the things you are grateful for, etc. Enjoy where you are and appreciate your surroundings. Take it all in. It's when we take the time to be alone with ourselves, alone with our thoughts, beliefs, and ambitions that we become more secure in our identities. By knowing yourself and all that you embody, you are able to step out into the world confidently and secure in the unique person you are.
