11 Ways To Take Care Of Yourself

11 Ways To Take Care Of Yourself When You're Super Busy.

Whether your schedule is packed every single day, or you're just going through a decidedly trying time, it can feel impossible to step back and find time to relax. However, finding ways to take care of yourself when you're busy is not only necessary, but pretty much essential for good health.

Here are some ways to practice a little self-care, even when you're day is crazy busy.

1. Make Sure You Get Enough Sleep

While we get into our deepest levels of sleep, our immune system rebuilds itself, and our serotonin and norepinephrine rebuild and replenish themselves. If we are missing our sleep, we are not allowing our body to do this critical function, which has major consequences on health and mood.

2. Try To Squeeze In Some Exercise

A quick walk, or a bit of yoga, whenever possible will go a long way  and help to reduce stress.  Even just a brisk walk in the morning will energize and motivate you for the day ahead.

3. Don't Feed Off A Vending Machine

Resist the urge to pop quarters in vending machines, and instead focus on eating real foods. If the body is fueled with healthy food and drinks, it helps build our immune system, and runs like a healthier machine overall.

4. Take A Break From Your Texts

Don't get bogged down with your constant stream of texts. Instead, put your phone down and practice having a few moments of peace.

5. Schedule In A Few Breaks

Don't forget to schedule some "me" time into the day, lest you go totally crazy. Take a short walk, listen to some music in your car, anything to remove yourself from the work environment for even 10 to 15 minutes can greatly reduce your stress

6. Make Sure Your Routine Is Super Easy

Make it a habit to cook a larger batch of dinner on day one, and eat leftovers for the next two days. Use Sundays to prepare what to wear for the next couple of days. Keep your hair styles simple and easy.

7. Cry Into Your Pillow

A stressful day, or week, or month can get pretty overwhelming, and you might find yourself holding it all in. If you’re tired and sad, cry it all out ... Get it all out, all the frustration, the overwhelm, the anger and the fear. You’ll feel much better after.

8. Call Your Mom Or Another Loved One

Take a second to call a best friend or family member, and let them bring you back to reality.

9. Get It All Out In Writing

Jotting down a few notes before bed may be just what you need. Writing is a therapeutic activity. In just a few minutes, you can write your thoughts, worries, gratitude, or whatever else comes to mind. Keep the journal near your bed and make a habit of writing a few paragraphs or even sentences each night before you go to sleep

10. Zone Out With Some Fiction

Life can get dumb, which is why books are so great. They're the perfect place to escape to when you're totally done with reality. So tote around your favorite novel, or peruse a book of short stories, and live someone else's life for a while.

11. Make All Of This A Priority

The most difficult thing about these suggestions is they require an adjustment in priorities.  That may mean pumping the brakes on your busy day, and taking a second to relax. You should be willing to do whatever it takes to look after yourself, and occasionally put your needs first. Because when you don't, your health and well-being will fall by the wayside. And that's just not worth it.