I am an active advocate of mental health and prioritising self-care is my basic need to survive. Health is wealth and this statement hits differently when you are in your late 30s. You want to be fit to take of things and you take care of things so that you can stay well, it is a never-ending loop. Most of sometimes when we are too busy fixing daily needs, we completely abandon our emotional and mental health, we put ourselves on auto-pilot mode and try to seize the day.
I am an active advocate of mental health and prioritising self-care is my basic need to survive. As a working mother, single parent and someone who is dealing with a critical illness at the moment, it sometimes becomes overbearing but I never stop to write, do you know why? Because writing is my coping skill, when I sit with my laptop and run my fingers on the keyboard and pour out my thoughts, I feel lighter and it helps me to realise all the pent-up emotions.
Writing puts me to ease and that is my way of caring for myself, giving myself some time to sit with myself, dwell in the day and sleep emptying those thoughts out of my system. It has always helped me to bounce back.
In this blog, I am going to share a few other ways that can help you start prioritising self-care, without feeling guilty about it.
Prioritising self-care in 5 easy ways
- Simplify your life: Begin with the most simple step- simplify your daily routine as much as possible to reduce stress and free up time for self-care. For example, meal planning and preparation can help you save time and ensure you’re eating healthy meals.
- Involve your children: Self-care does not have to mean being away from your children. Find activities that you can do together, such as going for a walk or any fun activity.
- Practice mindfulness: Meditation has helped me regain my lost balance whenever I felt put off by my circumstances. Take a few minutes each day to practice mindfulness, such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga. This can help reduce stress and promote relaxation.
- Set boundaries: Learn to say no to activities or commitments that do not serve your priorities or goals. Setting boundaries can help you maintain balance and prioritize self-care.
- Ask for help: Reach out to family or friends who can help you with childcare, even if it’s just for an hour or two so that you can have some time to yourself. You cannot pour from an empty cup.
Ending note…
Prioritising self-care as a single mom is not selfish, but rather, it’s necessary for your physical and emotional health, which ultimately benefits both you and your children.
This post is a part of #BlogchatterA2Z 2023
