Taking Time for You
Ashley Svaty, Nutrition,
Food Safety and Health Agent
Life is busy and as a result you may neglect your own
well-being. This can lead to stress,
irritability, moodiness, and even depression.
Proper self-care can improve mood and daily productivity. By taking care of yourself you will be more
relaxed, content, stronger, better able to help others, and more
confident.
It is mentally healthy to take breaks from life’s daily routine,
and such breaks should not come with guilt.
Slipping away from your daily routine doesn’t have to occur for extended
periods of time-it can mean taking a bath, reading a book, walking your pet,
playing with your kids or grandkids, or going to your bedroom with your door
closed to sit in solitude for a bit. Sometimes it can be hard to find time for
your self-care, but to-do lists can help. To-do lists allow you to prioritize
due dates, short-and long-term goals, and rank importance which can help you
feel more control and balance. Crossing items off to-do lists can be empowering
because it’s a mental reminder that you are making progress.
One way that you can take time for yourself is to relax. Relaxation is the body’s natural unwinding
technique and has been referred to as the single most important key to health
and well-being. Relaxation allows you to
experience more energy, sleep better, build up your immunity, concentrate
better, and much more. Relaxation can
occur through taking a hot bath, reading a book, getting a massage or even
taking a few deep breaths.
Taking care of yourself by eating a nutritious diet and increasing
your physical activity are also highly important. Exercise affects overall
physical and mental well-being. It
increases strength, cardiovascular conditioning, flexibility, balance, and
muscle mass. It also boosts self-esteem
along with confidence and helps lower stress and anxiety. Adding a 10-minute
calming walk to your to-do list is a fantastic way to sneak in daily self-care.
Wholesome, nutritious foods provide you with more energy, combat depression by
keeping your brain functioning at its best, and prevent numerous other health
problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancers.
Finding humor in daily situations and laughing more throughout
your day is truly the best medicine.
Laughter has the ability to increase the “feel good” hormones in the
body, called endorphins. Laughing more can reduce stress, lower depression and
help your body heal. Watch a funny movie or show, go to a comedy club, take a
comedy class, or simply laugh with a close friend or loved one.
