We have a “new normal” as we have all gotten used to life while dealing with the Pandemic as it comes up on the one year mark. The routines we established early on, while we thought this would be very short term and temporary, have probably changed into new ones. That is how things have gone for me. I returned to work in September on a more part time basis than before and I was finally able to finish school about 2 months later than scheduled. Things took on a “new normal” which felt a little less restrictive as I was able to be out in the world, while continuing to be safe in the practices of social distancing and mask wearing. I found that as I got busier I needed to continue with some of the self care practices I had found absolutely critical to my sanity during the earlier lockdown phases of the Pandemic. I recognize the absolute necessity of self care and a plan to make sure that these things don’t fall through the cracks. It seems that the busier I am the more likely for these things to not happen with the regularity that they need to and they are even more critical.
So what is a self care plan?
It is an organized plan that defines what you need to do for yourself to maintain your good health and when you will do it.
Who needs one?
Everyone, especially those who are busy, stressed and caregivers to others.
Why do I need one?
A set routine of the things that keep you whole, healthy and centered is critical to keeping you well and happy. It sounds like a frivolous thing that could be skipped if you need to find extra time to do other things, but actually isn’t.
Planning time to take care of yourself and doing things that you need to do for your own health and well being is critical especially if you take care of others. If you have a family and you are the person that plans meals and organizes who does what and when it happens, then being in tip top shape and being happy is so important. Not only are you probably wearing many hats, as that is likely not your only job, but you are also responsible for maintaining your own health as well. They say when we are on an airplane that if the air pressure drops and those little masks fall down from the ceiling that we need to put our mask on first so we can help others, the same applies in our daily life. If we are not happy and healthy and stress free, how can we give to our family, friends, clients, patients and students? Stress is one of the causes of many health concerns and is the primary reason that people seek medical attention.
Creating a self care plan is a simple yet crucial item that will help to make sure that you stay on track in meeting your goals in life and being healthy.
Here’s how to get started:
Make a list of the things that you enjoy doing that keep you feeling healthy and happy.
Beside each item, write a number of times you would like to do them weekly and how much time you realistically have to do each thing.
Plan how and when you will do this. Look at your daily calendar and put it down as an appointment for yourself, as you would for any scheduled commitment.
Here’s an example:
Eating healthy, home cooked meals daily
Meditation and Yoga practice, 3 times per week, 45 minutes.
Swimming, 3 times per week
Getting outside for exercise: hike, kayak or bicycle, one or two times per month
Time for reading spiritual material, daily, 30 minutes.
Massage, once or twice a month.
I look at my schedule and see that I have free time on Monday and Wednesday afternoons, Tuesday and Thursday mornings and all day Friday – Sunday. Right now the swimming has to be by appointment so I schedule them in as I make them, usually Wed, Friday and Sunday.
That leaves time for my other commitments. I like to cook about 2 days per week and bake as needed. I plan to do this on the mornings before I work late, so there will be something tasty and fresh for when I come home. Grocery shopping has gotten relegated to the weekend now when I have a more flexible schedule as it can take up to 2 hours depending on the number of stores I plan to go to. My hiking , kayaking or bicycling are now getting put onto the weekends or Fridays since my days are more flexible. Getting my bi weekly massage has been a little less regular now due to Covid, but I plan to resume that with my usual frequency in the coming months.
Discovering our priorities and choosing to make them as important as everyone else’s priorities is so important to having a healthy balance between work, family and self. Making time for what is important to each of us daily is individual and so necessary. Yes, some days even the best laid plans will go awry because something happened to make things not flow well. However, having structure that is flexible when it needs to be will help you to ensure that you get your own needs met. During these very stressful times it is more important than ever to establish and to keep a self care routine. Indulgence in some things that you treasure but don’t make time each week for is also ok. For me that looks like a bubble bath for about an hour with some music and usually a glass of wine!