Blog Author: Rachael Sacerdoti
It's so easy to put everyone else in front of you. But what if I told you that by prioritising yourself, you'd have MORE energy for you and everyone else? I wouldn't have believed you 5 years ago, but now I know that my wellbeing lifts up everyone else around me. Find out how....
Time. It’s the single biggest issue the women I speak to face.
Time to sort the kids out. Time to be your best at work. Time to care for elderly parents. Time to look out for friends in need.
With all these pressures, it’s no surprise we find ourselves struggling to prioritise own wellbeing. And the research backs up our struggle. A combination of societal expectations and caregiving responsibilities puts an impossible load on our to do list, with the added challenge of greater levels of anxiety and depression as a result.
In most cultures, we still take on the majority of family responsibilities, including caring for children, elderly parents, and other relatives. This inherently creates significant challenges, as we attempt to balance work, family, and personal responsibilities.
And it’s compounded by the expectations society puts on us regarding our appearance, behaviour, and roles within our families and community overall. These expectations lead to stress, feelings of inadequacy, and difficulties in achieving work-life balance and personal wellbeing.
(And before anyone cries foul, we’re talking generally here. Yes, lots of men share the load and are hugely hands-on, but read the stats and statistically most do a lot less than women)!
Typically, we’re natural nurturers and often put others’ needs ahead of our own. While it’s admirable to be caring and selfless, it is vital to remember that we also deserve care and attention, especially when it comes to our overall wellbeing.
5 Ways to Make Time for Your Wellbeing
So if you’re ready to give yourself the time and love you deserve, why not try some of the It’s So Simple top tips below to kickstart your own wellbeing lifestyle. These tips are flexible and practical making sure they work for any lifestyle….however demanding. They were part of what helped me to achieve my transformation and they’ve helped thousands of other women who have followed our signature programmes.
1. Refresh your perspective
If you make your wellbeing a black and white choice, you’re setting yourself up to fail. Life is complex with lots of it outside of your control. Prioritising your wellbeing doesn’t mean it has to happen everyday or you’ve failed. It means that you’re making some time for self-care, most of the time.
“I used to feel like I had to workout everyday for at least 60 minutes otherwise I’d lose all my progress. But life isn’t like that. Some days I can do 90-mins, other days I make do with 5-min squats in the bedroom and other days my steps are all I can do. And it’s all fine. In fact it’s all great. Life isn’t straightforward and neither is your time. But as soon as you change your perspective, cherish what you time you can free up and accept the curve balls, you’ve created space for so much more self-care.”
2. Squad Goals
Participating in community groups, teams or activities that focus on well-being, such as a local running club or a mindfulness workshop, provides physical and emotional benefits. By joining up with others, you create a personal contract to take part especially if there is a fixed time to take part, like a weekly training session or class.
Research has shown that people who have a supportive community around them, whether it be friends, family, or a weight loss group, are more likely to achieve their weight loss goals. Group programs provide built-in accountability, encouragement, and a sense of community that can help individuals stay on track. It’s why we’re so passionate about the group dynamic in our signature programmmes…simply put, it works!
3. Change it Up
For most of us, making time for self-care means something else is going to have give a little. You’re going to have to stop doing something, find a different way to do it or ask for help. Either way, something has to give.
But trying to do this when you’re in your usual environment, can be incredibly tough. Making time to meditate in a busy family home? Let’s be realistic, it’s not going to happen. Going for a jog instead of the school run? I think we all know what most of us will prioritise.
“It’s why I’m a huge believer in changing up your environment, diary or routine. Squeezing more out of the same day feels like a white knuckle ride. But take yourself outside of your schedule and so much more seems possible. Simple changes like eating lunch away from your screen, mixing up your morning commute to force more steps in, or joining a gym class away from home distractions makes a big difference. It’s empowering and so good for the soul, before you even think about the physical benefits.”
4. Start Small
Wellbeing is a habit, and when you’re trying to change habits, starting small is a highly effective strategy. Small changes are easier to manage and integrate into your daily routine. And when you start with a small, achievable goal, you’re less likely to feel overwhelmed and more likely to stick with it.
Achieving a small goal gives you a sense of accomplishment, which then motivates you to tackle bigger changes. Maybe this is a healthy home-cooked meal, or a walk in the fresh air. Successfully achieving one positive step for your wellbeing can be a springboard to another.
This positive reinforcement helps you stay committed to your habit change, creating a habit loop. Layering multiple gradual changes also makes it more likely you’ll maintain them, leading to lasting change. You’ll also avoid burnout and ensures that your new self-care habits becomes permanent part of your lifestyle.
5. Tough Love
Even if you’re ready to change, those around you might not feel quite as excited. Whether they’re threatened, disinterested or even willing you to fail, friends and loved ones can throw up all sorts of barriers. You’d be amazed at just how often I talk to clients whose biggest challenge is the people around them, rather than their own motivation or focus.
And whilst it’s not easy, the answer usually comes down to a tough love conversation and making it clear how your wellbeing benefits everyone else around you. Setting personal boundaries and being clear about why you’re doing it reinforces how important this is to you and those around you. The ultimate goals is to surround yourself with cheerleaders who want to help you boost your wellbeing. Once you achieve this, change becomes far more empowering and exciting.
If you’re struggling to prioritise your wellbeing and make self-care a priority, why not book in for a complementary breakthrough call and one of my coaches will help you write your own personalised self-care strategy
