Prioritizing Self Care During Life’s Busiest Seasons: Top Tips for Well-Being

For many of us, our day to day lives are filled with a million different things to do, yet no time to spare for ourselves. Stress and feelings of overwhelm can feel like insurmountable obstacles, especially when we have so much going on and don’t know how to balance it. Thus, when life gets overwhelming and anxiety creeps up, self care often gets put on the back burner. However, prioritizing ourselves is actually the most important factor in being able to show up as our best selves for ourselves and others. Self-care and online therapy is convenient and essential for maintaining balance in one’s life and for one’s well-being, especially during life’s busiest season. 

Create a Routine 

When life gets to be at its most hectic, creating a routine and sticking to a schedule is essential to maintaining balance. Having a structured daily or even weekly routine helps to bring a sense of control and predictability, even in times of chaos. A way to better organize yourself is blocking out specific time slots for self-care, such as engaging in exercise, meditation, or reading. This type of organization will help to incorporate these practices into your day as pre-planned nonnegotiables, no matter how busy you become. If you’re a morning person, you may try dedicating the first 30 minutes of your day to stretching, journaling, or a quiet cup of coffee alone by yourself. This can provide peace and quiet to the start of your day.  If you feel energized enough after work to set aside time for yourself, you may incorporate a daily relaxing walk or something else that brings you joy. The key is to find what works for you and make it a non-negotiable part of your schedule. 

Prioritize Sleep 

This can be hard if you have kids running around, or a baby to feed in the middle of the night. Sleep can take a hit when we’re juggling multiple things at once, but it’s one of the most critical aspects of self-care. Lack of sleep can impact your mood, productivity, and overall health very negatively if you aren’t giving your body what it needs. Prioritizing sleep can help recharge your body and mind. Establishing a bedtime routine will also help in prioritizing your sleep so you can be excited to get to bed. This could include dimming the lights, reading, or practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation right before it’s time to sleep.

SET BOUNDARIES! 

Boundaries are a critical aspect of putting your needs first. There is so much power in saying no and protecting the sacred free time you have. It can be so tempting to say yes when someone asks for a favor or social plans, but sometimes that’s just not realistic with your busy schedule.  Learning to say no is necessary in allowing you to focus on what you already committed to, as well as make sure you’re setting aside time to take care of yourself. Identifying your priorities first and foremost will help you to set boundaries and communicate clearly with others when you have too much going on. This may feel uncomfortable, especially if you are a people pleaser, but in the long run it will be essential to avoiding ultimate burnout. 

Online Therapy and Mindfulness

Using mindfulness practices- such as meditation- can be such a powerful tool for managing stress, especially during busy times like the holiday season. Research shows that mindfulness can reduce anxiety, improve focus, and enhance emotional regulation. Even just a few minutes of mindfulness each day can have a significant impact on your well-being. Alongside mindfulness, online therapy can be very helpful in maintaining time for yourself to actively talk about the things going on. Online therapy is not only helpful, but also convenient. 6 benefits of online therapy can include it being easily accessible, more affordable than in person, introduces comfort, offers more convenience and flexibility, access to a wide range of online therapists and counselors, and offers more chances to fit counseling into your schedule. 

Make Time for Joy 

The holiday season is a very joyful time of year for many people! The National Alliance on Mental Illness says to “Decorate for Comfort.” They note, “During the holiday season, you may find yourself surrounded by an overwhelming number of decorations. This kind of celebration, however, is not a requirement for your own space. You need not use traditional holiday colors or symbols for decorating (unless they bring you joy, of course)”. Pick colors that give you a sense of happiness, peace, safety, lightness or calm. Consider a soft blanket to snuggle in with or a favorite pillow to cuddle. Choose a color that makes you cozy. Are there certain fragrances that remind you of a special time or place? Perhaps a new scented candle or an essential oil might help make your house feel a bit more like your safe space and sanctuary. This can help you get into the holiday spirit, but in a way that works for and feels true to you! 

Stay Active 

Exercise is one of the best ways to manage stress and maintain a healthy balance between mental and physical health. Regular physical activity can improve mood, increase energy levels, and even help to regulate sleep. This doesn’t have to take up a lot of time or energy, but can look like small bursts of movement throughout the day. Maybe that looks like going for a walk in between meetings, taking a stretch break, or using the stairs instead of the elevator if able. 

The holiday season can be a very stressful time for most, as holiday cheer and quality time with loved ones begins to bleed into daily activities. Prioritizing self-care especially during life’s busiest seasons is essential for maintaining mental, emotional and physical health and well-being. By creating a routine, prioritizing sleep, setting boundaries, using online therapy, mindfulness techniques, and creating time for joy and staying active, you will be set up for success! REMEMBER: Self-care is NOT selfish! 

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FIGURE OUT WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE FOR YOU WITH THERAPY FOR WOMEN IN MANHATTAN & BROOKLYN

The truth is, there’s no single or one-size-fits-all definition of success. Everyone has a different idea of what they want their life to look like. That is why it’s important to get clear on what that looks like for you. Once you have a better understanding of yourself and your values, you can start designing your life based on the things that are most important to you. 

Therapy for women in Manhattan and Brooklyn is a great way to figure out what success looks like for you. At Manhattan Wellness, we will provide you with a safe space to explore your feelings and goals. So you can find clarity on what you want for yourself. We will pair your vulnerability with our empathy and encouragement. Then together we will uncover the key elements that will take you from where you are now to where you want to be. If you are ready to make the changes you want in your life:

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We believe that you have the power within yourself to make the changes you want and find your version of success. Our female therapists are here to support you in navigating this journey. Allowing you to reclaim your identity and take control of your life. Thus allowing you to create the future you’ve been dreaming of.

OTHER THERAPY SERVICES AT MANHATTAN WELLNESS IN NEW YORK

At Manhattan Wellness, our therapists are here to support you in navigating this journey and reclaiming your identity. So you can take control of your life and create the future you’ve been dreaming of. This is why we offer a variety of services to ensure you get the support, care, and guidance necessary. The therapy services we offer are Therapy for Maternal Mental Health, Self-Esteem Counseling, and Anxiety Treatment. Along with Dating/Relationship Counseling, Counseling for College Students, and more. Feel as if you are not living the life you deserve? Let’s talk about