Put Your Mask on First: A Simple Self-Care Plan
Today, I want to talk about making a self-care plan in three simple steps:
- Talk to Someone
- Take Time for You
- Try Deep Relaxation
Many people who come into my office have been so busy taking care of other people and other things that they have completely neglected caring for themselves—often for years on end.
In many cases, it can feel like we don’t have a choice. We have family to look after, children to care for, and so many other things that we allow to take priority over caring for ourselves.
But what happens when we neglect self-care? We can’t keep going forever. Eventually, we break down and become unable to help anyone. It’s sort of like ignoring the oil-light that goes on in your car. If you ignore it for too long, then your car breaks down and it won’t work any longer.
If you can’t help yourself, how can you help anyone else? When I talk to clients with this problem, I remind them of airplane safety: always put your oxygen mask on first.
So here are three simple steps you can take toward prioritizing self-care.
1. Talk to Someone
Do you have someone who will hear you out when you just need to talk?
Perhaps there is a close family member or best friend you can call who will take time to hear your thoughts when you need a place to air them. Or maybe you need to talk to someone who is disconnected from your day-to-day life, such as a long-distant friend or even a therapist.
Don’t underestimate how important this is. Make sure you have someone to talk to every now and then, so that you don’t have to feel like you’re carrying all of your burdens alone.
2. Take Time for You
Take a look at your calendar.
How many people own your time?
There’s your boss, your family, friends, coworkers. Once all of their needs are scheduled in, I bet there isn’t much time left just for you.
You need to make that time. Schedule it in and keep it sacred.
Perhaps “me-time” for you, is doing things like taking a long walk every morning, sitting in the park and reading a book during your noon break, or listening to your favorite music while relaxing in the tub after dinner.
How you take time for yourself is completely up to you, but two things are important.
First, make sure everyone knows you’re unavailable. Switch off your phone. Tell the kids you’re going to be out of reach for an hour. Ask your partner to give you some time alone.
Second, do something that relaxes and rejuvenates you. Don’t think about work, and don’t do anything that makes you tense. Give your mind and body a break. Let your thoughts wander and find inspiration.
3. Try Deep Relaxation
Do you struggle, even when you have found time for yourself, to quiet your mind and find relaxation? Let’s face it: this isn’t easy.
In such a high-paced, inter-connected world, thoughts buzz around our head at a rate equivalent to activity levels on Twitter during the Oscars. It’s no wonder we struggle to disconnect!
But it’s at times like this where a tried-and-proven tool such as hypnosis can come in.
Hypnosis puts you in a state of deep relaxation, so you can finally let go of all the stress that is muddling your mind and interfering with your progression.
Hypnosis is a scientifically tried-and-proven tool that can help you re-program your mind through a state of deep relaxation.
At my office, I offer a free screening to see if hypnosis is right for you. So, when you’re ready to take the next step in your self-care plan, give us a call at (647) 210-8842.