How to Care for Yourself and Your Family on a Time Crunch
Simple Self-Care Activities That Fit Into Any Schedule
As an adult, incorporating self-care into your daily routine is important. But, often you may find yourself struggling to maintain healthy habits. This may be due to the activity demanding a greater investment of time than what you can afford. To help you get back on the right track, this article by Cascade Organic brings you three healthy habits which can fit seamlessly into your schedule.
Start Eating Healthy
To maintain good health, it is important to eat at least three meals a day. But, your busy schedule may not permit you from having the luxury of cooking on a daily basis, let alone three times a day. The easy answer to this obstacle, which most individuals choose, is to put convenience over nutrition by eating from office canteens, restaurants, or food stalls. While these meals may taste good, they are devoid of nutrition and filled with empty calories which makes you feel full, but deprives your body of the essentials it needs.
So what’s the solution you ask? The answer is twofold:
Buy fresh produce: You are bound to have a farmer’s market in your neighborhood, where local farmers sell fresh meats, fruits, and vegetables. These products are free from preservatives, packed with nutrients, and often brought to the market straight from the farm. Additionally, when you buy in bulk, it’ll cost you less than what you currently spend on eating outside.
Meal Prep: Rather than spending hours each day cooking, dedicate one or two days per week to cook your meals in batches. Whether you are an avid meat-eater or vegan, there are various recipes to choose from. Moreover, cooking your meals allows you complete control over your nutrition, which is one of the biggest contributors to good health.
Engage in Stress-Busting Activities
According to research, 2 in 3 adults in the United States report feeling extremely stressed. While the COVID-19 pandemic has been the main driver of stress in the last few years, other reasons include financial uncertainty, job insecurity, and health concerns.
Self-care has now become more important than ever, to help you keep stress in check and develop the confidence to tackle challenges. Here are some simple self-care activities to include in your everyday routine:
Spend time doing what you love; this can include painting, journaling, watching movies, listening to music, reading a book, etc. Engage in activities that promote a calm state of mind and satisfaction.
Participate in some form of physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day such as lifting weights, doing bodyweight exercises, cardio training, etc. While exercising your body will release hormones such as endorphins, dopamine, and oxytocin which are guaranteed to boost your mood and improve self-esteem.
If you find that your job is the main source of stress, work towards making a change. When looking for a new position, focus on those which you feel will provide you a sense of satisfaction and an environment where you’ll feel comfortable. Your new position can be in an entirely different field as well. For instance, if your heart is in healthcare, you can pursue an online nursing degree, which allows you to learn all necessary skills and expertise while opening greater pathways in the industry.
Be Social
In the current culture of remote work, it’s easy to become isolated and live in our bubbles. Moreover, social media becomes our biggest companion which exaggerates the problem by constantly exposing us to negative news. In the long term, such behavior can lead to stress, social isolation, and living in constant uncertainty.
To break this cycle, make it a point to engage with one or more of your friends or family members each day. This can include:
Texting throughout the day
Having a short conversation on call
Taking a walk around the neighborhood
Meeting for lunch or coffee
As reported by Everyday Health, engaging in frequent social activities will alleviate stress, improve cognitive health, increase self-esteem, and develop the confidence to tackle short and long-term challenges with ease.
So there you have it, three simple activities you can engage in each day without having to tweak your schedule or make major changes to your routine.
Article written by: Sheila Olson