A Reminder to You: Self Care is Important

I'm not going to lie, I've been struggling a lot lately. I've been dealing with a lot of stressful situations in my life and it's been taking a toll on me.

Those who know me personally know I'm a people pleaser. It brings me so much satisfaction and joy to make the people in my life that I interact with daily happy. But that sometimes comes with a price of sacrificing your own well being for others.

I know I'm not alone in the way I've been feeling. Especially with the pandemic, I know I'm not the only one feeling stressed out, burned out, tired out and overwhelmed.

On one of the days this weekend that was particularly hard, I found myself scrolling through resources from the National Institute of Mental Health, and found the portion on managing stress. I was reminded that stress is something that can be managed in the following ways:

• Be observant. Recognize the signs of your body’s response to stress, such as difficulty sleeping, increased alcohol and other substance use, being easily angered, feeling depressed, and having low energy.
• Talk to your health care provider or a health professional. Don’t wait for your health care provider to ask about your stress. Start the conversation and get proper health care for existing or new health problems. Effective treatments can help if your stress is affecting your relationships or ability to work.
• Get regular exercise. Just 30 minutes per day of walking can help boost your mood and improve your health.
• Try a relaxing activity. Explore relaxation or wellness programs, which may incorporate meditation, muscle relaxation, or breathing exercises. Schedule regular times for these and other healthy and relaxing activities.
• Set goals and priorities. Decide what must get done now and what can wait. Learn to say “no” to new tasks if you start to feel like you’re taking on too much. Try to be mindful of what you have accomplished at the end of the day, not what you have been unable to do.
• Stay connected. You are not alone. Keep in touch with people who can provide emotional support and practical help. To reduce stress, ask for help from friends, family, and community or religious organizations.

You want to know what I realized? I'm stressed because I've had so much going on. I haven't had much time for myself to take care of these. Me. Self. Care. Is. Important.

I'm making myself a priority in my life and am going to set time aside each day to better my mental state. If you find yourself feeling the same way, use this list as a guide like I am - and join me.