From Our Chefs
How to Prioritize Your Wellbeing When You’re Busy
Let’s face it, we all have A LOT going on. We’re living in a day and age where having a packed schedule is the norm- even for kids! This past year has allowed us to slow down and gain some perspective, giving us insight into our own priorities. But, as our schedules pick back up, it can be challenging to prioritize our own wellbeing.
Adding in extra “things to do” to take care of your wellbeing can seem daunting with an already full agenda. We’ve narrowed down 5 tips that you can incorporate into your life now to make sure you’re taking care of YOU!
1. Incorporate taking care of yourself into your daily schedule.
Movement, exercise, healthy meals, good sleep, time alone and time with loved ones only become a part of your routine if you create time for them. Making self-care practices a habit ensures that you create space in your day for what matters.
Keys: The hack to make sure these habits stick? Make sure you actually like them! If you hate running, chances are you won’t maintain your running routine for very long. Find things you love to do and will look forward to.
2. Pay attention to your environment.
We’ve all heard it: “You are a product of your environment.” Are you working from a home full of noise and distractions? Carve out an hour or two to escape to a local coffee shop to focus. Trying to eat healthier with a pantry full of junk food? Chances are you won’t be reaching for celery and hummus for your afternoon snack. Maybe it’s a small change such as listening to good music while you work or just keeping your house a more tidy (no one likes to come home to a pile of dishes in the sink).
Keys: Assess your environment and create changes where you can. Small or large, a change is still a change. These slight adjustments can help you improve your efficiency in all areas of your life!
3. Prioritize your “to-do’s.”
Do the most important things at the start of your day. When we have back to back meetings or an endless list of errands, it’s easy to feel like we don’t have enough time in the day. Knocking out your priorities first thing in the morning ensures that you don’t push them off or skip them all together. Whether it’s meditating, exercising, meal prepping or accomplishing a pressing task, if you plan to do it in the morning, you know you’ll get it done.
Keys: Accomplish the most important things on your agenda in the morning. You’ll feel lighter without these “to-do’s” hovering over you all day.
4. Identify your non negotiables and let the rest go!
Yes working out, eating healthy, balling out at work, checking in with loved ones and having a social life are all great. But, during days and weeks that are extra busy, we often skip many self care habits. It’s totally alright to prioritize and pause some routines. But, that doesn’t mean you have to go all or nothing! Identify what is THE most important healthy habit for you to keep up with for your wellbeing and which ones you can let go during busy or chaotic times.
Keys: Don’t stress yourself out trying to accomplish everything at once!
5. Wind down.
Often, our busiest times are our most stressed times. Running on 10 until the minute your head hits the pillow can disrupt your sleep cycles and leave you feeling unrested. Winding down in the evening allows you to “switch off” the thoughts racing through your mind and provide your body the rest and regeneration it needs. Dimming the lights in the evening, avoiding screens and taking a pause just before you sleep can help prepare you for a great night sleep and improve overall wellbeing. Even if it’s just 5-10 minutes of reading or relaxing, the benefits are great.
Keys: Take a moment to reflect on the day and prepare yourself for a good night’s rest.
