Let’s be honest. It seems impossible to carve out personal self-care time when all your pending work is flashing in front of your eyes. During these restless times, even the thought of small, intentional breaks feels irrelevant. I perfectly understand your argument. I managed three projects in the past that challenged my body and mind, only to be captured by stress. Then, I understood the importance of self-care and realized that a few minutes of relaxation can pull you away from its gnawing clutches. So, I created my stress-relieving ritual by adding my favorite self-care tips to it, which calmed me within minutes.
We are all superheroes in our ways, managing a multitude of things simultaneously, but even superheroes need time to relax from their busy schedules. We didn’t get any disclaimers before stepping into this responsible adult life, but being prepared pays off. You can refer to my self-care tips (or add your favorites) to combat stress from the impending workload.
Remember, snoozing on your self-care routine damages the psyche. And that’s why I came up with these relaxing self-care tips (my personalized routine) that will help you deal with the stress.
Through life’s twists and turns, I have learned that prioritizing health is imperative. I added these self-care practices to my routine, which immediately relaxed my tensed muscles. So, when I find it unbearable, I revert to my favorite self-care routine because I prioritize my health. I undoubtedly follow these self-care tips to prepare myself before the chaos of the day begins. So, let’s bid goodbye to cortisol levels and embrace these relaxing self-care tips that will bring you closer to yourself.
Building your self-care practices
Carving a 15-minute break from a crammed calendar is meritorious. I am not turning a blind eye to the sizeable pile of pending tasks. But living in this hellhole prunes your relaxed body. I found myself in this situation before due to certain lifestyle decisions. And that’s when I curated this perfect routine by adding my favorite self-care tips. These tips work for me, and I tend to return to this routine whenever busy schedules call.
Remember, you don’t need to lose your breath while building a routine. All you need is to find relaxing habits that you would love to do. If not an hour, give at least 15–20 minutes. The secret to being healthy lies in a consistent approach, irrespective of the time frame. And once you get out of your rut, prepare yourself for amazing things. Let the notion of self-care infect you in a good way. You must be unapologetic and unfailing when it comes to following these self-care tips. An irregular self-care routine will break the streak, which drains your energy.
Relaxing self-care tips I follow for my busy schedule
8-9 hours of regular sleep
I am sleep-obsessed, and that’s why I can firmly encourage you not to adjust any time less than 8–9 hours for this revitalizing habit. Nothing is more restorative than a good night’s sleep. Your busy schedule might prevent any sleep breaks, so try not to adjust your nighttime sleep. A full round of sleep manages to deal with stress signs and prepare you for the hectic day ahead. When I am aware of the work, I, by hook or crook, always manage to take 8–9 hours of sleep (and extra beauty naps on the weekends for the skin recovery self-care process). My weekend self-care routine revolves around a 15-20-minute power nap as I use a face mask.
5-min breathing break
Taking 5-minute breaks strategically will not invite a Greek tragedy to your workplace. A good rest is an essential human need, and no “urgent email” can ever reduce its importance. When you feel breathless, that’s your body’s signal to take a breather. Since you find it difficult to sleep, breathing breaks can do the work. When I face similar situations, I quickly perform breathing exercises. My favorite is Nadi Shodhana Pranayama (Alternate Nostril Breathing); it is a type of pranayama, an ancient breathing technique, which is a part of yogic practices in India.
Drinking my favorite tea
The perfect calming sip exists. I wait for this precious time of my day when my tongue buds savor the delicious taste of my favorite “adrak ki chai” (ginger tea). Its strong aroma releases stress from my body. Plus, the wintery air causes me a stubborn cold, so I find myself sipping on my favorite tea. However, consuming tea in moderation is the real deal. So, get your dose of positivi-tea and feel its air of relaxation in your body. Other teas with stress-relieving properties include chamomile tea, jasmine green tea, etc.
Writing for 5-10 mins
I am slowly becoming a journaling addict. I find my heaven in journaling and writing poetry. I dedicate my mornings to these uplifting self-care practices of unknotting my thoughts onto paper, making more room for positive and creative thoughts, finding solace in writing poetry or expressing gratitude. Some days, I combine this self-care routine with blog writing. Blogging has surprisingly activated the creative nodes in my brain and has awakened joy within me. But for you, it can be different. It can be just a brain dump or a gratitude list. Whatever the content is, this activity is mood-boosting.
Creating clarified to-do lists
Have you been overwhelmed by an endless list? I may exaggerate the endlessness quality here, but we experience this feeling when our tasks aren’t well organized. One of the best self-care practices I picked up is writing a to-do list before my fingers touch the keyboard. Mornings are inspirational for me. Writing a well-thought-out to-do list in the morning prepares me.
Meal planning to my rescue
Whenever I see an imminent workload, I resort to this lifestyle technique. And frankly, I wasn’t ready to end my self-care tips list without mentioning meal planning. A tight agenda leaves no time for last-minute meal preparation, and sooner or later, you live at the mercy of online food orders. As someone who took a downturn in health by relying on outside food, I regretted not planning meals. We shouldn’t ignore eating healthy food due to rigid deadlines, but this advice doesn’t matter when work consumes you. Therefore, meal planning is an underrated decision that can truly save you trouble.
Meal planning has saved a lot of my time, especially in preparing breakfasts in the mornings. Before, I would rush my mornings and would often compromise on this healthy meal. As a result, my energy would drain as the day progressed, leaving me no room to focus on my tasks. I started including high-protein breakfast foods in my morning time. Ever since I started planning quick and nutritious breakfasts, I had fewer bouts of low energy levels. Having a full stomach takes away the unnecessary load and you can freely concentrate on the present tasks.
Conclusion
Working from home or the office, I find these self-care tips effective. You must actively pursue a self-care routine to not allow a jam-packed calendar to overtake your body. Create your own self-care routine; fit in your favorite ideas. My self-care tips can be an example of how to create your routine. But practice your self-care routine religiously. And you can joyously say, I managed it!
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