Time management and self care
Time management and self care seem to go hand in hand. If you think about it, one of the biggest contributing factors, or triggers for generalized anxiety, is the fact that we feel like we don’t have enough time in the day to get everything done. The feeling of being pressed for time, running late, working under tight deadlines - they can all lead to a feeling of overwhelm. With everything we are trying to accomplish during our day to day routines, it’s no wonder why so many women feel they simply “don’t have the time for self care”.
As counterproductive as it may sound, or even feel, slowing down is actually a great way to get a handle on things. This goes against everything our body is telling us, especially when that fight or flight response has kicked in, and our body’s cortisol levels are through the roof. However, when we practice mindfulness, and create space for self care, we are actually giving ourselves more time. When we get into a routine of feeling rushed, we open ourselves up to the possibility of having to correct simple mistakes, or even make two trips to the store because we were operating under foggy brain conditions.
Time management is a form of self care, and vice versa. By cutting out even just one hour a day, we are able to set ourselves up for success. With my new virtual group coaching course, The Nourished Women Collective, we meet online for one hour a week. The rest of the week, women have access to the private Facebook group where they can encourage, support, and act as accountability partners for each other.
I’ve specifically set this up this way, because I know firsthand how demanding day to day life can be, especially if you’re running a household and a business! That said, I truly believe that by giving ourselves at least one hour a week, we can restore balance and cut out the overwhelm.
Read on for a few simple strategies to help master time management -
1. Put The Day Into Focus
Start each day by getting a hold on the most pressing matters. It’s a good idea to make a list of what you need to accomplish for the day, including what needs to be done first. Set clear goals and expectations for the day. It’s okay if those tasks end up changing order, but by having everything laid out in front of you, you’re more likely to stay on task. Plus, who doesn’t love the feeling of checking things off a “to do” list? You may not get everything done, but you’ll be a lot further than if you had tried to attack it blindly.
2. Create Habits
Go to bed and wake up at the same time. Set a shower/bathing schedule. Eat breakfast at approximately the same time. Give yourself flexibility within your work schedule, but try to keep it uniform. If there are certain nights that the kids have practice, make sure you’ve planned for that. Start by planning meals and snacks for the week, which will give you a nice overview of what you have going on, then take it from there. Find a night where you can carve out 30 minutes out an hour just for yourself, and get it on the books - no negotiating!
3. Sacred Space
Everyone deserves to have a sacred space in their home or even office. This doesn’t need to be a huge deal, it can be a patio that gets great sunlight where you can take lunch breaks. Or maybe it’s a chair in the corner of the room where you can actually read a book. For lots of busy moms, it might be the bathroom where you can sneak away for an uninterrupted bath. Whatever it is for you, make it a space where you can take time for yourself. This should be communicated with family members, and should also be a non-negotiable. This might be your excuse to finally design that she shed you always wanted - ha!
4. Take Regular Breaks
It’s important to take breaks, but it is also important to keep them on the schedule. It can become routine to work through lunch, eat in the car, and completely push yourself to stay on course. That’s exactly why scheduling breaks into your day is so important. You should be scheduling yourself 10-15 minutes breaks periodically throughout the day and actually blocking this time out on your schedule - whether it’s a day planner, or a Google calendar. You might use this break to check social media and get a snack, or maybe it’s your reminder to drink a glass of water. It doesn’t matter how you use your break, but it really matters that you take it, and stick to it!
For more tips on creating balance in all areas of your life, I’d love for you to consider my group health coaching course, The Nourished Women Collective - feel free to reach out to me directly HERE, if you think this might be a good fit for you!
xoxo,
Lindsay