Developing a Self Care Plan

So much of our time is scheduled for urgent and important tasks that it is often difficult to take a break from parenting/building a career/running a home/caring for others. With many things on the go, finding the time to look after ourselves might be the last thing on the list.

But like a car needs regular maintenance to keep it roadworthy and running smoothly, we too need a "self maintenance" plan to keep us from getting exhausted and burnt out. What does a self care plan involve? It takes a deliberate effort on our part to do things that nurture our souls and recharge our energy levels.

A self care plan will involve different things for different people - as we are all unique individuals that have particular needs and preferences. It might be helpful to write down a list of things to do that replenish mind, body and spirit and then schedule appointments with yourself to do some of those things on a regular basis, even if they are small pleasures that make you smile.

Some suggestions of self-care areas to consider:

When setting up a self care plan also be realistic about what is achievable and consider things that might get in the way of your plan. It may be helpful to re-assess your plan after a month to see if it is working well. You might also like to include in your plan a list of signs that you are feeling burnt out or overwhelmed, so that you are able to recognize when you need some additional care. Remember to keep your plan accessible so you can refer to it regularly.

Self care is vitally important for maintaining your well being and managing stress. I strongly encourage you to make a self care plan and keep appointments to care for yourself as regularly as possible.Check out these suggestions for more ideas about developing your own self care plan.