Self-care tips for when you dont have the time

Self-care tips for when you dont have the timeSelf-care tips for when you dont have the timeCreating a healthy work-life balance for yourself isnt easy. At times, it feels like there isnt enough time in the day to get everything done, let alone give yourself a minute to breathe.But while its a challenge to prioritize your wellness, your body and mind need you to Too many of us get to the point of total burnout or breakdown before we realize its time to make some changes.As the owner of a 20+ employeedog-walking business, I know how hard it can be to make time for yourself. Im tempted to give every waking moment to my team members, my customers, and my loved ones. But if I dont prioritize myself and my wellbeing, Im no good to any of those people I care about anyway.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moraSo here are a few ways Ive learned to practice self-care when it feels like theres just no time1. Learn how to say noI know its hard to feel like youre letting someone else down, but we must stop being yes people Its okay to set boundaries with your time. Let go of your fear of disappointing someone else and put yourself first. In my experience, I find I actually earn more respect in the process of saying no.2. Add it to your scheduleBeing more intentional with your time by building self-care into your schedule can save you from the natural overwhelm that comes with multiple hectic days in a row. I try to plan most of my self care on the same day each week. For me, its Tuesday. My team knows that its when I schedule appointments with my therapist, trainer, and chiropractor and that Im not likely to be as available.3. Take advantage of any gaps in your dayWhenever you find yourself with a few minutes to spare between meetings, use it Take it as an opportunity to squeeze in some self-care. I like to catch up on my favorite podcasts, get some meditation in, or just g o for a walk for some fresh air. Even tiny breaks makes a big difference and leave me feeling rejuvenated in no time4. Find your own zenSelf-care doesnt always look exactly like what Instagram tells you it should. Maybe its diving deeper into the book youre reading, or taking a midday yoga class, or maybe all you want to do with your half hour is zone out and binge on some mindless TV. Whatever it is that you need, do it and dont beat yourself up about it.5. Enjoy the little momentsI often find its the little moments that bring me joy, when I can remember to actually take a second and really experience them. I might wake up a little earlier to enjoy that first sip of coffee outside as the sun rises, or take a couple of extra minutes to give my pet a few more morning cuddles. I try to remember to take a deep breath, count my blessings, and really take a moment to notice the good all around me.Youd be surprised how wonderfully satisfying little moments like that are and how they can boost your energy going into the rest of your day. One of my most peaceful memories is from 15 years ago. I was outside at the dog daycare where I worked and it was snowing so hard that the world was silent. It was such a powerful quiet that you dont get to hear very often and if I think back to it I can feel the calm from that moment even now.6. Go with the flowEven with all these best-laid plans and good practices to prioritize yourself, sometimes it just doesnt work. If a situation comes up that you need to handle and your self-care plan has to change, dont despair. Of course, its frustrating. Canceling my self-care plans to cover for a dog walker who has a flat tire is such a bummer but its a reality for me and it for all of us sometimesWhen things like that happen, I let myself get angry for a few minutes. Its ok to be mad and sad for your s-lost time. But after a beat I move forward and make a new plan. Being mad about it for days is only going to drain more energy from you. Find another time, and commit to that.7. Promote a Self-Care CultureIf youre managing a team, make sure youre promoting the idea of self-care with everyone on it. They dont have to do the same self-care as you do but if they tell you they need some time, let them take it and dont make them feel bad for it. If they dont ask for it, ask them how theyre doing. Ask them if they need some time or space to take care of themselves. Check in with them. Doing this will not only encourage your team to stay with you because they feel good, but theyll help keep you accountable with your self-care too.As the adage goes life is a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourself and make sure youre fueling yourself along the way even when it feels like theres no time. This is your one and precious life, so we have to make the time we need to take care of ourselves.This article first appeared on Bossed Up.