When considering addressing substance use, disordered eating, or any other mental health disorders that may be getting in the way of achieving your maximum potential, Recovery Frameworks encourages looking at your values, your strengths, and your goals to come up with an action plan that helps you grow towards a brighter future. The ultimate goal is self-actualization, helping you to be the best you possible. To achieve this, we must live a well-rounded life. We must practice habits and skills that encourage wellness. To assist with these goals, we have developed a series of blog posts highlighting a skill or habit that you can try for yourself! This week's habit is prioritizing self care.
We know firsthand how challenging it can be to take care of yourself when life gets busy and stressful. But we also know how essential it is to prioritize our own well-being if we want to thrive and recover from difficult experiences.
First and foremost, let's talk about what self-care actually means. Self-care is any activity that we do deliberately in order to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health. This can include things like exercise, healthy eating, meditation, therapy, spending time with loved ones, getting enough sleep, and engaging in hobbies or creative pursuits that bring us joy.
The problem is, many of us are so busy and overwhelmed that we don't make time for these activities. We tell ourselves that we don't have time, that we're too stressed out, or that we'll get to it later. But the truth is, if we don't prioritize our own well-being, we're setting ourselves up for burnout, illness, and a whole host of other problems.
So how do we prioritize self-care in a busy life? Here are a few tips:
1. Make a Plan
The first step is to actually make a plan for how you're going to take care of yourself. Look at your calendar for the week ahead and schedule in time for self-care activities, just like you would for a meeting or appointment. It doesn't have to be a lot of time - even 10 minutes of meditation or a quick walk around the block can make a big difference.
2. Set Boundaries
In order to make time for self-care, you may need to set some boundaries with others. This might mean saying no to invitations or requests that don't align with your priorities, or asking for help with household chores or childcare so that you have more time for yourself.
3. Practice Self-Compassion
It's important to remember that self-care isn't selfish - it's essential for our well-being. If you find yourself feeling guilty or ashamed for taking time for yourself, try practicing self-compassion. Remind yourself that you deserve to take care of yourself, and that it's not only good for you, but also for the people around you.
4. Find What Works for You
Not all self-care activities are created equal, and what works for one person may not work for another. Experiment with different activities and find what feels good for you. Maybe it's yoga, or gardening, or cooking - whatever it is, make sure it's something that brings you joy and helps you feel more grounded and centered.
At the end of the day, prioritizing self-care is all about recognizing that we can't pour from an empty cup. We need to take care of ourselves if we want to recover from difficult experiences, build resilience, and live a meaningful and fulfilling life. So take some time today to think about what self-care looks like for you, and make a plan to prioritize it in your busy life. You deserve it!
If you have tried everything and can not seem to move forward on your own, a recovery coach or companion may be able to provide the motivation and accountability to help you achieve what you previously thought was impossible. Reach out and we will help you understand the resources that are available to you and guide you through the difficult process of recovering from substance use, disordered eating, and other mental health disorders.
Disclaimer: Recovery Frameworks offers a non-clinical support service. The services and programs provided by Recovery Frameworks do not include medical advice, including diagnoses, medical care, or clinical treatment. Services should only be used in conjunction with the guidance and care of your doctors, therapists, consultants, and/or providers in part of your treatment team.