A REAL Work-Life Balance: The connection between self-care Practices in Strategies for Success
In order to successfully navigate through the various challenges that life presents, it is essential to prioritize self-care. We know this, right?
But what about when it comes to work and our careers?
Often we find the drive to succeed in the working realm is considered a contrast to the slow-paced realm of self-nurturing.
Many clients report ‘feeling guilty’ when engaging in self-loving activities because ”it doesn’t feel productive” and doesn’t directly, tangily lead to better work-related results – but is this true?
I’d like to argue that by taking the time to practice self-care, individuals can recharge and rejuvenate, resulting in improved overall well-being.
Self-care allows individuals to find a sense of balance in their lives, ensuring that they have the necessary energy and motivation to pursue their goals, especially work goals.
How about we try to reframe how we think about caring for ourselves, so instead of it ‘getting in the way of the productive’ stuff, seeing it as fundamental to everything else in our lives.
Strategies for Success
When it comes to achieving personal and work-related success, self-care plays a crucial role. Engaging in regular self-maintenance practices can help alleviate stress, enhance focus, and boost creativity – all essentials for the success we seek.
Instead of putting off our care to one-off holidays or rare treats, it is important to incorporate self-care into daily routines, ensuring that it becomes a priority.
A simple step in your success strategy is to make care for self into bite-sized moments, regularly. By making this a habit, we can effectively manage our time and allocate sufficient resources for both work and personal life.
Types of Self-Caring Practices
Your next step in this strategy is to implement habits that fit into the 3 main types of self-caring practices.
Often self-care is spoken about in the context of mental health but it actually encompasses a wide array of practices that cater to different aspects of an individual’s well-being:
- Physical care involves taking care of one’s physical health by engaging in activities such as exercise and maintaining a balanced diet.
- Emotional care focuses on nurturing one’s emotional health by practicing self-reflection and cultivating positive relationships.
- Spiritual care involves connecting with one’s inner self through meditation, mindfulness, or engaging in activities that promote personal growth.
Physical Care
Physical care encompasses all practices that promote the maintenance of one’s biological health. Engaging in regular physical activity not only keeps the body in shape but also releases endorphins, improving mood, strengthening the immune system and reducing stress.
Incorporating activities such as yoga, jogging, or dancing into daily routines can boost energy levels, improve cardiovascular health, and reduce stress. Finding activities that are enjoyable and align with personal preferences increases the likelihood of adherence to a regular exercise routine.
As a basic priority it is important to prioritize getting enough sleep, from at least 6 to 8hrs, to ensure that the body and mind are well-rested and capable of handling daily challenges.
Additionally, maintaining a balanced diet by incorporating nutritious food choices provides the necessary fuel for optimal physical and mental functioning. Becoming aware of any dietary sensitivities and reducing foods that increase inflammation can play a big role in reducing the energy your body is using to process troublesome foods.
Keeping in touch with your local GP to track your body’s needs, symptoms and care requirements can be supportive in this.
Emotional Care
Emotional care focuses on nurturing and maintaining one’s emotional well-being. This can involve engaging in activities that bring joy and fulfillment, such as hobbies, spending time with loved ones, having meaningful conversations, or practicing self-compassion.
It is also key to cultivate emotional intelligence by practicing self-awareness, expressing emotions in a healthy manner, and seeking support when needed. This is usually a journey of ongoing learning and navigation, rather than a destination. Be patient and open to learning about your different triggers, emotional wounds and making space for any unresolved issues.
If these go unheard and ignored, they can play a big role in self-sabotaging, self-harming behaviours. They can also impact success by leaving core-beliefs that are corrupt, such as;
”I will never succeed”
”I always fail”
”I will never (reach goal, achieve dream, experience happiness etc)”
”I am not worth it”
Taking care of one’s emotional health not only allows for better resilience, improved relationships, and enhanced overall happiness…
but it also proves corrupt beliefs wrong by actively moving in an opposite direction to how the beliefs would expect.
” When we choose to care emotionally for ourselves, we choose ourselves, we choose hope, we choose change and we choose the possibility to think and believe something different.”
– Tanisha MA. HCPC. AThR.
Spiritual Care
Spiritual care involves connecting with one’s inner self, or higher self, connecting to the greater universe and exploring deep personal beliefs and core values.
This can be achieved through spiritual readings, meditation practices, or engaging in activities that promote deeper personal growth and reflection.
Some do this via religion, which creates clear structures within spirituality. Others choose to navigate this outside of pre-determined structures simply through self-reflection, connecting with nature, or joining non-religious communities.
No matter what this may look like for you, it is a deeply personal part of self-exploration and can take many forms.
Nurturing one’s spiritual well-being allows individuals to find deeper meaning and a sense of greater purpose, resulting in a wonderful sense of fulfillment and contentment in life. This can fuel our day-to-day activities and responsibilities, including goals for success.
What does a Self-Nurturing Routine look like?
We’ve now established that a self-nurturing routine is essential for maintaining a work-life balance and ensuring personal well-being. So we now need to incorporate this into a regular routine by dedicating time, practices and skills specifically for self-nurturing activities often. Here are some basics of your routine to start with.
Setting Boundaries
Learn and get comfortable with the skill of setting boundaries and learning to say “no” when necessary.
This is key to maintaining your sense of self-worth, autonomy and needs, since overcommitting and people-pleasing can hinder your efforts. You can read more about the importance of boundaries in relationships here.
Getting Enough Sleep
Prioritizing adequate sleep is crucial for maintaining optimal physical and mental health. Establishing a regular sleep routine, creating a comfortable sleep environment, and practicing relaxation techniques before bed can all contribute to a restful night’s sleep.
Incorporating Physical Activity
Engaging in regular exercise is an essential component of any self-care journey, as it helps to reduce stress and anxiety, and improve everyday health.
Physical activity can help you feel better both mentally and physically. Incorporating exercise into your self-care routine will not only de-stress and make you happy, but it will also provide you with coping strategies to navigate the stressors of everyday life.
Mindfulness and Meditation
Taking a few minutes each day to engage in mindful activities such as deep breathing, guided meditation, or journaling can help individuals cultivate a sense of calm and promote a positive mindset.
These practices are commonly effective tools for managing stress, improving focus, and enhancing overall well-being.
Journaling and Affirmations
Journaling and affirmations are powerful tools that can enhance your self-care routine and improve your overall health and well-being.
Journaling allows you to express your thoughts and emotions, helping you to process and release any negativity or stressors in your life. It is a form of emotional self-care that promotes self-reflection and personal growth.
Affirmations, on the other hand, are positive statements that you repeat to yourself to reinforce positive beliefs and overcome negative self-talk.
Over time, with consistent commitment, these can begin to override the corrupt core-beleifs we mentioned earlier, by strengthening the neural pathways in the brain towards another way of thinking about ourselves.
Spiritual Connection
You can begin by thinking about what spirituality means to you.
Have you felt a connection or presence, such of a passed loved one present?
Have you felt a deeper connection to the world around you at any time?
You can consider attending a religious service as a part of your regular routine. If you’re not committed to any one region, try out different sacred and spiritual spaces to get a feel of what is the closest sense of comfort for you to sit in this space. Try to incorporate this into your weekly schedule, like going to the gym or attending an appointment.
Tech Breaks
Today we are connected to our electronic devices more than ever before. Through these devices, we are exposed to extra electrical currents, consume a huge amount of media content and absorb constant subliminal information.
Consider a break from your devices often, including disconnecting from social media, as part of your routine. This creates extra space for you and for the mind, to simply be.
Do an audit or overhaul of your news and content feeds in social space. Does the content serve you or hinder you?
Do you come away from it feeling better or worse about yourself?
Be aware of how and what affects you or manipulates your emotional state. This awareness followed by assertive decisions to have boundaries around virtual time and content, will give back to your wellbeing.
Be in Nature
Did you know that nature is naturally regulating to the physical body and nervous system? Yep, just spending 20 minutes sitting, walking or connecting with nature can calm down our bodies’ heighten emotional states and improve anxiety and depression symptoms.
In some cultures, this is celebrated, encouraged or ritualised. In Japan the term shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) is the act of intentionally being in nature, soaking up the stillness and atmosphere.
The Connection Between Self-Care and Success
Practicing self-care has a direct correlation with success in various aspects of life.
By prioritizing self-care, individuals can experience significant benefits that contribute to their overall success.
Improved Physical Health
Engaging in regular self-care practices, such as exercising and maintaining a balanced diet, leads to improved bodily health.
Prioritizing physical well-being enhances energy levels, boosts immunity, and reduces the risk of chronic diseases.
With increased physical vitality and energy at work, individuals are better equipped to tackle daily challenges and excel in both their professional and personal lives.
Enhanced Mental Well-being
Self-care practices significantly impact mental well-being. Taking time for self-care activities allows individuals to recharge and alleviate stress.
Engaging in activities that promote emotional well-being enhances resilience, improves mood, and reduces the risk of mental health issues.
A healthy mind contributes to improved decision-making abilities, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
Increased Focus and Productivity
Prioritizing self-care enables individuals to find a balance between work and personal life, resulting in increased focus and productivity.
By taking regular breaks, engaging in self-care activities, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance, individuals can prevent burnout and maintain a high level of productivity.
Enhanced focus and productivity lead to better job performance, increased creativity, and greater overall success in various areas of life.
Let’s sum it up!
- Prioritizing self-care is crucial for achieving a real work-life balance and experiencing success.
- Engaging in regular self-care practices not only improves physical and mental health but also enhances focus, productivity, and overall happiness.
- Incorporating physical activity into daily routines not only improves bodily health but also releases endorphins, boosting mood and productivity.
- By prioritizing this, individuals can effectively prevent burnout, enhance their resilience, and improve their overall quality of life.
- By incorporating self-care into daily routines and making it a priority, individuals can lead happier, more fulfilling, and successful lives.
- It is important to recognize that self-care is not selfish; it is a necessary aspect of maintaining overall well-being.
Caring for self is not just a luxury; it is a necessity for overall well-being. It provides individuals with the tools they need to manage stress, maintain good physical and mental health, and cultivate a positive mindset.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the connection between self-care and success?
A: Self-care is essential for success as it directly impacts your overall well-being. When you prioritize self-care, you are better able to handle stress, maintain physical and mental health, and have the energy and focus needed to achieve your goals.
Q: Why is self-care important?
A: Self-care is important because it allows you to take good care of yourself and prioritize your health and well-being. It helps prevent burnout, reduces stress, improves productivity, and enhances overall quality of life.
Q: What does self-care include?
A: Self-care includes activities that promote your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This can include getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, engaging in regular exercise, practicing mindfulness or meditation, and carving out time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation.
Q: What are some examples of self-care?
A: Some examples of self-care include taking a relaxing bath, going for a walk in nature, spending time with loved ones, engaging in a hobby or creative outlet, practicing deep breathing exercises, or simply taking a few moments to unwind and relax.
Q: What are the different forms of self-care?
A: Self-care can be divided into different forms, including physical self-care, emotional self-care and spiritual self-care.
Each form focuses on nurturing a specific aspect of your well-being and can be tailored to your individual needs.
Q: How does self-care lead to success?
A: Self-care leads to success by ensuring that you are in optimal physical and mental health, which allows you to perform at your best.
When you take care of yourself, you have better focus, improved problem-solving abilities, increased resilience, and the ability to handle challenges more effectively.
Q: How can I start practicing self-care?
A: You can start practicing self-care by identifying areas of your life that could benefit from more attention and care.
Start small by incorporating small self-care activities into your daily routine, such as taking breaks, setting boundaries, and engaging in activities that bring you joy.
Q: Why is it important to make self-care a priority?
A: Making self-care a priority is important because it ensures that you prioritize your own health and well-being.
When you make self-care a priority, you are better able to show up for others and fulfill your responsibilities without sacrificing your own needs and happiness.
Q: How does self-care impact physical health?
A: Self-care impacts biological health by promoting healthy habits such as getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and engaging in regular exercise.
When you prioritize self-care, you are more likely to have better overall health and a stronger immune system.
Q: How does self-care impact mental health?
A: Self-care plays a crucial role in maintaining good mental health. Engaging in self-care activities helps reduce stress, improve emotional well-being, promote relaxation, and boost self-esteem. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health.
In today’s fast-paced world, finding a work-life balance is becoming increasingly challenging. Many individuals find themselves overwhelmed by the demands of their careers, leaving little time for personal well-being.
However, it is important to recognize the significance of self-care and its direct connection to success. Practicing self-care is not only beneficial for one’s physical and mental health, but it also enhances productivity and overall happiness.
