Self-care is Easier Than You Think! Avoid Burnout by Creating 'Micro-Moments".
It's only 10:30 am and you wonder how you're going to make it through the day.
I totally understand that feeling. Since COVID, my hubby and I were lucky to be able to work from home full-time while the kids were out of school. Pretty chaotic home life as you know already and since August the older one started virtual schooling. Fast forward the longest March Break in history, now the days of the week and hours in the day are all a bit muddled. I take comfort in small wins like taking Zoom calls in a nice top while still in my pajama bottoms!
Truth is, its been a very steep learning curve for all of us. In between preparing meals, helping with online learning, entertaining the toddler, house chores, and working full-time, self-care sure wasn't top of mind. The result? Burnout. In order to avoid a burnout, hubby and I sat down and committed to including self-care in our daily by defining "micro-moments" for ourselves.
Kickstart your day. Have your morning tea or coffee outside your house. I know it sounds crazy, why drink it outside in the cold when you can be in the comfort of your home? Actually, that's exactly why you need to step out. Your home today is also your work space, your gym, your kids' classroom, craft room, etc. Take 10 minutes (okay maybe 5) and step outside for YOU. Don't bring your cell phone, magazine - just you and your morning cup. Breath in the fresh air and take in everything you see one by one. Its absolutely eye-opening when you begin to notice small things you've never seen before.
Create your green space. Don't underestimate the power of plants around the house and especially in your work space. Its great for aesthetics and helps to improve air quality and a great way to bolster productivity when you have a zen space. If you also have kids studying at home, you can even add a little pot on their desk too. It gives them a sense of ownership and responsibility to take care of their little green plant. The key is to place a little spray bottle and microfibre cloth nearby so you can take a break to care for your plant at least once a day.
Stay hydrated with clear drinkware. I'm terrible at remembering to drink throughout the day. I always ensure to bring a cup of water, juice or tea with me but it'll often just sit on my desk forgotten. So I switched to using these awesome double-walled clear mugs by Bodum and now I see exactly how much liquid is left inside the mug. If I finish quickly, it forces me to get up and stretch and refill. If I haven't been drinking, well its very clear and a good reminder.
Chores. According to Oxford Dictionary, a chore is an unpleasant but necessary task. So by definition, can we actually enjoy doing household chores like washing dishes, doing laundry, mopping the floor, etc.? For some people, I've heard cleaning in general is therapeutic and they are more than welcome to come visit my house! For me, my household comprise of three generations so it really can be overwhelming how much cleaning and hand-washing is required. My saviour? I love my mini hand scrub cubes that I keep beside the kitchen sink. Throughout the day, if I need a pick-me-up I give myself a few minutes to enjoy a hand exfoliating treatment. The scents from the citrus essential oils helps boost the happiness hormone serotonin, while the lemon coconut is uplifting for your mood.
I hope this has been helpful and you will embark on mission to improve self-care for yourself and your loved ones. Remember, creating 'micro-moments" in your day can help avoid burnout. I'd love to hear from you!