How To Take Care of Yourself (Even When Always Busy)

Many people find it hard to be kind to themselves. While the concept of being generous and respectful to others is not only familiar but also encouraged, self-care, by comparison, seems to many an almost foreign concept. Nowadays, self-care has become a trend, but practically out of necessity. Because to meet the demands of modern life can only be sustainability met by a collective effort towards self-care.

Like many others, you ask: “Where do I start?” 

First, you need to know what self-care really means.

What is self-care?

The most important thing to understand is what self-care is not. Caring for yourself is NOT selfish. Selfish means a lack of regard for others. Instead, self-care is about refilling your vessel so that you can continue to give. Giving, in this sense, does not necessarily mean dedicating your life to the service of others; it can also mean doing well with your personal talents, skills, and gifts and using them to make a positive impact where it matters.

"Taking care of yourself is the most powerful way to begin to take care of others." - Bryant McGill

Now that you know what self-care is, it’s time to see what self-care looks like in practice. As a beginner self-care practitioner, you’ll be relieved to know that it doesn’t take much to give yourself a bit of love.

Here are some simple ways to care for yourself.

1. Don’t compromise on sleep.

Regardless of how hectic life gets, always prioritize your sleep. The effects of sleep deprivation far outweigh any little benefit or enjoyment you get out of social media scrolling or trying to be productive late in the night. People who get less than the optimal 7 hours of shuteye every day are more likely to fall victim to chronic diseases, cognitive disorders, and early death. There are no upsides to staying up late, even if that means getting more work done. In fact, if you want to be more productive, get more sleep and your body will help you reach peak performance every day.

Image by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels

2. Be open to help.

If you’re one of those people who prefer to do everything on your own, it might be high time to learn how to delegate. In simple terms, delegating is having someone else do the work for you. But it’s much more than that. It also takes a careful assessment of another person’s skill and placing your trust in that person. Yes, it takes risks, but when done properly and with mutual trust from both sides, it can bloom into a strong collaborative relationship that both people can continue to benefit from for the long term.

Related: TikTok Therapy: A Look at the Role of TikTok on Mental Health

3. Learn to manage stress.

Stress makes everything worse. It not only takes a toll on your physical and mental health, but it also knocks down your productivity, endangers your personal relationships, and makes it so much harder to enjoy life in general. It’s like looking at the world through a gray filter — everything looks bleak and hopeless. That is why it’s so important for you to reinvigorate from time to time. There are so many different ways to restore your spirits: exercise is a common (and effective) one, others dive back into their hobbies, while others simply say No to things that stress them out (setting boundaries. Find out what works for you and make room for it in your life.

“Just when you feel you have no time to relax, know that this is the moment you most need to make time to relax.” ― Matt Haig, Reasons to Stay Alive

4. Find a way to laugh.

There’s a reason why everybody knows the saying “Laughter is the best medicine,” even though people don’t really know who said it. This wisdom of old may have been reduced to an overused slogan but its insight remains an uncontested truth. Aren’t your best moments with your loved ones the ones where you shared a good laugh? A good laugh is often enough to forget a long hard day at work; it can make even some negative experiences bearable. So the next time you feel stressed out, phone a friend so you can laugh about it. Even intentionally find your favorite funny skits on YouTube. If you can find a way to laugh your way through life, you’ve practically hacked it.

Image by Surface on Unsplash+

5. Honor the promises you make to yourself.

Can you trust a person who cannot keep their promises? Most likely not. It’s the same with you. If you can’t keep a promise to yourself, you cannot trust yourself. And if you cannot trust yourself, you cannot build self-respect. Self-respect is the bedrock of good self-care. You can only sustain your self-care efforts if you have a great relationship with yourself first. So meet yourself first: What do you like? How do you like to be loved? Treat yourself exactly how you’d treat a loved one and all else will fall into place.

Your Turn

Busyness is often used as an excuse. But one area where you have to make an exception is yourself. Only then can you really learn to navigate busy in your day-to-day life. If you can successfully learn to refill your cup, you will have everything else figured out.

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Related: TikTok Therapy: A Look at the Role of TikTok on Mental Health