Do you feel pulled in a hundred different directions? Does the smallest thing set you off? Maybe each new thing feels like the last straw. That is because stress adds up, in our lives and in our bodies. It is vital to learn when you need to get in some self care time.
1. You Feel Overwhelmed
Perhaps you feel like there is too much to get done, or too many burdens are falling onto your shoulders. If juggling work, family, friends, and everything else feels like too much, it probably is. That frantic feeling of being overwhelmed can lead to poor decision making, anxiety, and procrastination. Time to do some self care.
2. You Feel Irritable
Have your comments seemed a little more snarky than usual? Have you felt bad or needed to apologize to someone for snapping? Are you more easily offended right now? Do you feel like you could scream or throw something just to blow off steam? If yes to any of these, be sure to begin your self care planning and get in some restorative down time asap.
3. You Up Your Vices
Whether your go to for stress is a glass of wine, a bar of chocolate, junk food, smoking, gaming, or extra coffee, if you begin to do it a lot more often it is likely a sign that you need to take a break and regain more balance. The great thing about proper self care is that it can reduce the number of times you use vices, replacing some of the negative coping habits with healthier ones. The goal is to begin to substitute a negative vice for a healing one. Skip the junk food and go for a quick walk; have your typical amount of caffeine and a healthy snack, etc.
Love yourself first, and everything else falls in line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world. -Lucille Ball
4. You Cry More Often
Are you more tearful lately? Or maybe you just feel down or not your usual self. If it lasts more than 3 days, incorporate more physical movement and extra exercise into your daily routine. A few mini workouts every couple of hours will help to keep your anti-anxiety and anti-depression chemical levels boosted and your system balanced. Aim to get your heart rate up and to break a light sweat which will indicate toxin flushing and happy hormone release. Added bonus: your pants will keep fitting!
5. You have Major Life Changes Going On
Good or bad, big changes to our routines, lifestyles, or the addition of major life events can really throw us off balance. Whatever the event, if something important has changed for you, plan to bump up the self care and give yourself some extra TLC.
6. You Fantasize About Getting Away (A Lot)
Do you obsess about an ocean getaway? Do you fantasize about the next vacation all the time? Is it really bad and you literally don't care where you go? Maybe it's super bad and even a trip to Target feels like a vacation. If any of this rings true, make an effort to really pamper yourself with comfort items. Maybe a favorite meal, a feel good movie, or day spa at home. Try to schedule part of a day visiting your local, downtown shops and strolling through the park. Spend some quiet time alone on your lunch hour. We all dream about that tropical resort, which is healthy; when it becomes a recurring thought each day, it's a warning sign that you need to make some time to relax.
Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you. -Anne Lamot
7. Your body is Trying to Tell You Something
Headaches, stomach issues, exhaustion? Keep getting sick? Sex drive down? Restless or too tired? Skin breaking out? All of these are signals that your body is sending you a great, big message: SLOW DOWN.
8. You Feel Unmotivated to do Anything
Are piles stacking up? Do your normal activities sound unappealing? Do you just want to binge watch something on Netflix again and not have to deal with reality? If so, some serious self care is is order. You have to recharge if you're going to store up the energy it takes to set and work toward goals.
9. You Sleep Less (or Too Much)
Do you have trouble falling asleep at night? Or perhaps you awake at 3 a.m. and are trying to solve all of your problems. Alternately, you may just want to sleep longer or much more often from either exhaustion or as a way to get away from it all. Too much or too little sleep can be a sure sign that you need some down time. Also check out the post on improving sleep by having a plan which will really help lower stress levels.
10. People Around You Mention It
If your friends show concern over any of these items listed or your family members bring it up, chances are this is a sign for you to listen to them and make yourself a priority. If strangers bring it up either verbally or with gestures, you earn extra bonus points for needing to take this whole self care thing a lot more seriously.
If three or more of these apply to you, Code Orange! Plan for a minimum of 3-5 self care actions per day, effective immediately. Yes, I know that seems like a lot, but trust me. Consider this post as my writing your prescription for a life saving remedy. You not only need it for your health and relationships, you truly deserve it for your own peace of mind as well. Read more about great ways to take care of yourself in the how-to post on self care. I promise you will begin to feel better a whole lot faster.
What is your best tip on self care? Please comment so that we can all learn together.
Love,
Dax
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