Self-care is foundational to thriving in your job and in your life. Whenever we are busy or overworked, or feeling tired and depleted, self-care is often one of the first what to go. But neglecting self-care can ultimately result in burnout. In fact, if you discover you can’t make time for self-care, you will be sure you are in relation to burnout. If you already experiencing burnout in your task or career, self-care may be the first step to recovery and transformation. The great news is this something you can change.

I talk with many people that are actively seeking balance in their job or career. Whenever we talk about what this means to have more balance, probably the most frequent answer is that more balance means time for self-care.

What is self-care? Literally, self-care means doing what you need or need to feel looked after. Self-care is not about looking forward to your family or friends to take care of you, instead it includes the items you do for yourself.

Many of us have grown up with the fact that self-care is selfish. The simple truth is without self-care your capacity to look after others or to accomplish your goals diminishes. Among my contacts shared this great quote on Facebook this week and I want to share it with you.

“It isn’t selfish to love yourself, manage yourself, also to make your happiness a priority. It’s necessary.” – Mandy Hale

Got that? Self-care is essential. Self-care includes your physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual needs. When I need self-care, I start with sleep, diet, and exercise, in that order, because if you aren’t getting enough sleep, the rest can be compromised.

Next, check in together with your emotional and spiritual needs. Are you currently spending time with people you like and who love and accept you? Are you connecting with your spirit then one greater than you? What can help you with that? I personally prefer to start my day with a healthy breakfast, a cup of fresh brewed coffee, and journaling. That’s how I connect to my intuition and with God. One of my clients depends on yoga and meditation; another client attends a fighting techinques class every day. For myself, I’ve found that as the seasons change, my needs change. During warmer months, I’ll replace my daily journaling time with a brisk walk by the lake, when I am going to spend time appreciating nature. They are a few examples. The important question is: What works for you?

Finally, are you being challenged intellectually? Perhaps you would like to read a book throughout your commute to work, or work a Sudoku puzzle together with your afternoon tea.

Remember, markalpha.com/products/lipo-laser-cavitation-machine -care isn’t selfish, it is necessary. Great things about self-care include having more energy for the task you must do and the work you should do. You will get a nice boost to your self esteem when you take the time for self-care. Self-care is quite possibly the most significant thing you can do to help yourself.

What do you need at this time to feel cared for? Is it possible to have a break, make some tea, and sit quietly and breathe for 5 minutes right now? Or simply you’d rather take a walk to the break room or restaurant and buy a cup? What can you do for just several short minutes, right now, to apply self-care? I encourage you to take one step of self-care, right now.