In a fast-paced and bustling world, women represent roughly 38% of all workers in the labour force- not to mention most of them are executives and professionals, according to Catalyst organisation. Every woman may wear different hats in society, but if there’s one common ground among hustling women, it’s the fact that they always tend to put everyone and everything else first while their own needs and wants are relegated to the background. Indeed, women are so good at juggling a number of responsibilities like attending to their careers and family needs as they rush off from their swivelling chairs to PTA meetings and then family gatherings just to play their part very well. But, aren’t they missing a very important thing? Life can be busy and chaotic, but at the end of the day, women need to nurture themselves and take a breather, too.
Unfortunately, a lot of busy women think of self-care as a luxury- something that they can only pursue if they have the chance. As a result, they are usually left feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and incapable of handling different life stressors and inevitable challenges. Prioritising self-care practices is essential for building resilience against those pressure factors in life that you can’t control or eliminate. Once you have taken every step towards protecting your mind, body, and spirit at all costs, you will be more equipped to live your life to the fullest.
A slow (but soulful) Sunday is oh-so needed to help you recharge before the busy week ahead. To help you get started, we have curated a list of self-care habits that every hustling woman may incorporate into her self-care Sunday routine.
Start by assessing your physical needs.
Your physical self-care needs involve the things that help keep your bodily functions at their optimum level.
- Nutrition: Your body needs essential nutrients to run smoothly and properly. However, obtaining good nutrition is not just about a healthy diet plan that includes all the nutritious foods that nourish and protect your overall health. How you eat your food is just as important as any healthy diet. Practise mindful eating by giving yourself enough time to eat slowly at regular intervals. This way allows you to focus on what you eat and enjoy your meals without rushing yourself.
- Sleep: Not getting enough sleep (somewhere between 7 to 9 hours) is very common among working women. Compromising your sleep quality for a sustained period of time can greatly affect your mood and overall well-being. You may improve the quality and quantity of your sleep by establishing a regular sleep/wake routine every night (even on weekends, holidays, and other days off).
- Exercise: Adults are encouraged to perform physical activities for a minimum of 150 minutes per week. Choose activities that you enjoy—something that won’t make you feel like you’re actually working out, especially if you’re not a fan of exercising. Consider fun activities, such as swimming, biking, or any other recreational sports that will get your muscles to move.
- Healthcare: Ensure you are getting any health concerns checked before they become even much worse in the future. Aside from regular checkup, supplementation is also essential when it comes to improving your immunity. Whether it is a CBD vape pen, capsules or oral tincture, you may wish to supplement your overall health with CBD oil before or after a healthy meal. Cannabidiol (CBD), a natural ingredient that is touted for its potential ability to supplement symptoms of many common health conditions. Indeed, using CBD oil for pain can help to reduce aches and provide needed relief. It is also commonly used to help diminish anxiety and address insomnia. Regular consultations with your physician alongside supplementation may sound a bit pricey, especially if you are uninsured. Still, prevention can save you a lot of money in the long run, more than you can ever imagine.
Move on with your mental needs.
Mental self-care needs include the things that keep your mind sharp, healthy, and at peace.
- Cognitive functions: Have enough time for activities that stimulate you mentally. For instance, reading, playing mind games, or learning a new skill can help improve your cognitive skills.
- Stress reduction: Stress levels can impact your mental health in a significant way, which is why it is crucial to know how to handle issues and other things that stress you out. There are several ways to get your mind away from all those life stressors. Taking a steam bath with a bath bomb, for example, may help improve your mood by inducing a sense of comfort, luxury, and relaxation. Other stress-relieving practices may include meditation, smile therapy, or spending time with family and good friends.
- Limitations: You can’t control all the stressors and certain challenges in life, but you can always say ‘no’ to things that do not necessarily ignite your self-worth and confidence—relationships that turned toxic, real friends who turned out to be fake, or jobs that take over your entire life to name a few. Learning to set your own boundaries by being selective about what you take on can be an efficient way to manage your stress levels.
Don’t forget your emotional and spiritual needs.
- Affection: One of the most common characteristics of women is their tendency to become emotionally expressive. At some point, we all want to feel loved and be reminded that our family and friends care about us. Missing this type of emotional support can have health consequences. Make sure to spend time with your loved ones and share mutual affection by simply talking to them or showing kind gestures.
- Intimacy: Skin-to-skin contact is an essential human need. Science says that physical touch can help the body release happiness hormones that help lift up a person’s mood. Many people often associate the word “intimacy” with sex, but there are other physical activities that can satisfy your emotional needs, such as getting a full-body massage, caressing a furry friend, or hugging a loved one.
- Me Time: One of the most important facets of self-care is spending a special time with yourself, unwinding on your own. However you want to spend your personal time, reading your favourite novel, creating music, or taking yourself out to a fancy dinner, can help improve your well-being and sense of self-worth.
- Gratitude: Writing down the things that you are grateful for can liven up your spirit. Reconnect with nature and appreciate the little things in life. Regardless of your religion, singing worships and prayers can help fortify your soul, giving you a much deeper outlook on life.
