Too Busy for Self-Care?
Try These Mental Health Tips for the Overwhelm
Feeling Overwhelmed? Time to Hit the Reset Button!
Do you ever feel like your to-do list is never-ending, and your well-being keeps slipping through the cracks? If so, welcome to the club. It's time to hit the reset button. Adulting can be tricky; we all have a million things on our to-lists that we juggle daily. Whether you're the CEO of a company or the CEO of your home, overwhelm is something we all struggle with throughout our lives. So, how do we juggle our packed schedules and care for ourselves? I have some simple tips and tricks to help you keep it together without burnout.
Give yourself 10-15 walk breaks a few times throughout the day; it will do wonders.
Let's Talk Physical Health—Without the Gym Guilt
Physical health and "New Year, New You" are always buzz topics at the top of the year, but how can we fit into daily routines that nourish our bodies in attainable ways that we can be consistent with? Not everyone's schedule allows for hours at the gym (and not everyone wants to do that, TBH!). How do we sneak in physical activity without it feeling like another to-do list task to check off?
The secret is walking. Give yourself 10-15 walk breaks a few times throughout the day; it will do wonders. Walk to your favorite coffee shop, take a stroll with your family after dinner, or even park a little farther away at the grocery store. Walking improves our creativity, reduces our stress, and strengthens our immune systems, and best of all, you can do it practically anywhere, no gym membership required!
Doing some mindfulness exercises or allowing your body more rest when it craves sleep are ways to improve our mental health during these colder months.
Beating the Winter Blues (Without a Snuggie)
The colder months can leave us all feeling a little unmotivated and sometimes downright sad. The days are shorter, the sun is less available, and sometimes, we only want to curl in a blanket with a hot drink and binge-watch shows. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a real thing. If you've noticed yourself feeling more tired than usual, wanting to eat everything in sight, or lacking motivation, you're not imagining it!
We don't have to hibernate until spring; some lifestyle modifications can improve our mental health in these colder months that are simple and accessible. Dr. Winkler (2024) and associates in the Journal of Psychiatric Research note that including bundling up and spending some time outside, eating nourishing foods even if we crave less optimal choices, listening to music, doing some mindfulness exercises, and allowing your body more rest when it craves sleep are ways to improve our mental health during these colder months.
Remember, self-care isn't selfish—it's necessary. So go ahead, take a breather, and give yourself some grace. You've got this! If you're ready to take the next steps in your mental health journey, I'd love to help you. Contact Next Chapter today to schedule your appointment.
References
Rothenberg, M., Nussbaumer-Streit, B., Pjrek, E., & Winkler, D. (2024). Lifestyle modification as intervention for seasonal affective disorder: A systematic review. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 174, 209–219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.03.053
