Prioritise You!

Life can often be overwhelming for several reasons, and this is especially true if you are trying to look after a number of different people. However, whilst you might feel responsible for supporting and looking after your friends and family, the importance of looking after yourself is often overlooked.

This year, look to make your own physical & mental health a priority. In this blog, we’ll look at some of the ways you can feel better about yourself and what can help you approach any upcoming challenges you have.

Self-positivity

One of the best ways of feeling better about yourself and one of the first steps to take is to develop a self-positive mindset. It can often be challenging to get into this mindset immediately, but one way of easing yourself into a positive mindset is to talk up to yourself by using positive affirmations. If you are feeling low on confidence or suffering with consistent negative thoughts about yourself, positive affirmations can help to change your mood and get you feeling like your best self again.

Slow Down

If you’re feeling yourself becoming overwhelmed or stressed with various tasks in your life, then don’t be afraid to slow down and take a break. Resting, or taking a break, can often be viewed as ‘doing nothing’, however, resting is essential for recharging both your mind and body.

Stepping back and giving yourself enough time to get things done can help to improve your mindset, as you can clearly identify what tasks need to be done and tackle them one by one.

Get Enough Sleep

A lack of sleep can impact us in several negative ways. Tiredness and fatigue can affect us both physically and mentally, and these issues are often the result of either a lack of sleep or poor-quality sleep. We need a good night’s sleep to recharge properly and to be able to concentrate the following day.

In addition to the recommended daily amount of sleep, which is between 7 and 9 hours for adults, you should also aim for the best possible quality sleep. Try to sleep in complete darkness and silence, whilst keeping your phone as far away from you as possible for the best chance of having the best quality sleep.

Maintain a Healthy Eating Routine

One of the most important aspects of looking after yourself is to maintain a healthy eating routine. Don’t skip any meals and try to keep a balanced diet as this will help to keep you functioning at the optimum level. Although indulging in junk food can be tempting, it can leave you prone to feeling sluggish and unmotivated. Whilst small amounts of junk food can be ok, ensure you are maintaining a balanced diet and getting all the required nutrients your body needs.

Top up Essential Nutrients

If you’re not getting enough of the essential nutrients your body needs in your daily diet, it’s a good idea to top them up by using supplements. Ensuring you are getting enough vitamins and other vital nutrients such as omega 3, iron, and zinc will give you a better chance of feeling 100% and ready to take on any challenges you have ahead of you.

It may be the case that you are suffering from a vitamin deficiency due to either a medical condition or because your diet is lacking a particular nutrient. In this case, it’s a good idea to take a supplement for that specific vitamin to ensure you are getting the required amount your body needs to function properly.

Limit Social Media Usage

Whilst social media platforms can be useful tools for several reasons, they are often detrimental to our mental health. Social media platforms are designed to be addictive, and in turn, can limit our productivity. They are also susceptible to encouraging you to compare yourself to everyone else, which is bound to have a negative impact.

It’s important to keep in touch with friends and family but try not to spend too much time scrolling social media, and you’ll have more time to focus on yourself and your goals.

Ask for Help

If you’ve got too much going on, there’s no shame in asking for a helping hand. If you can delegate any work you’ve got going on to others, or if you can get some assistance, this should give you more time to focus on yourself and what’s important to you.