Do you have a preferred method of self-care? I love being outdoors on the weekends to refresh and recharge my energy. Being alone in nature is my typical go-to version of self-care. But self-care can come in many forms.
I’ve been so busy over the last few weeks that I have neglected several areas of my business. The ever-expanding list of avoided or neglected tasks is nagging at my consciousness. I wake up in the night thinking about how I could structure an upcoming team building workshop. I have breakfast while reviewing my to-do lists. Between meetings, I catch up on emails. And the more I add to that to-do list without taking time to complete things, the more stress I add to my days.
Sound familiar?
Can a weekend catch-up day
be considered “self-care”?
I believe it can! The World Health Organization says that “Self-care recognizes individuals as active agents in managing their own health care.” That means that it’s up to me to evaluate my own health and actively manage both my mental and physical well-being.
Today is a dreary, rainy, 50-degree Saturday. I declared today as a self-care day.
For example, I went to a plant sale, harvested some asparagus from the garden, and ran a few errands. Now I am catching up on some of those neglected business items. I’m listening to smooth jazz, having a hot cup of tea, and sitting on the sofa with a snuggly blanket. My two cats and I are watching the seven finches and cardinals at my bird feeder (my cats are very intrigued!). And as I cross out each neglected item, my stress level begins to diminish, slowly but steadily.
Can this strategy work long-term?
I know I can’t work each weekend and call this “self-care.” That would be a recipe for burnout for sure!
But, I started my own business to give me the flexibility to choose when, where, and how to get things done. I wanted location and time independence. When the weather is nice, I can declare my office to be a picnic table along the Potomac River. I’ve had my most creative and innovative ideas there!
So, given the gloomy weather, I designated today self-care day and caught up on a rainy Saturday. It seemed like a fair trade-off.
Next week, I’ll return to my typical self-care options. I’m taking a much-needed long weekend in the woods without phone or internet service!
Love this blog! I find biking along a river trail at my local state park to be my self-care go to! There is something about the activity and the beauty that frees my mind and inspires my creativity. It’s also great for warding off arthritis in my knees!!!
Yes – I love walking along local lake trails and C&O canal on a weekday. I am often looking for the quiet!