We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again: your self care is not selfish. 

It can be hard to justify making time for ourselves, especially if we are very busy, and possibly even responsible for the care of other people. 

It is true that we cannot pour from an empty cup. Without self care, busyness can quickly lead to burnout. Therefore, it is so important to find manageable tools to incorporate into our daily lives that effectively reduce feelings of stress while fitting as seamlessly into our schedules as possible. Have you struggled with the time management of self care? Are you looking for bite-sized moments of peace throughout your day for an overall happier and healthier you? 

Read on to explore 3 short and sweet stress relief practices for busy people→ 

1. Meditate in chunks. Try meditating in short bursts rather than one sitting. Perhaps when you first wake up you devote 3 minutes to simply breathe, sit with yourself quietly, and awaken to the day. Maybe when you get to work you take another 3-5 minutes to briefly check in with yourself, provide self care in whatever way you can (teas, comfort items, affirmations, etc), and come back to the present moment. Maybe you’re able to take one last moment for yourself in the evenings to reflect on the day, ask yourself how you’re really doing, and again- honor what you find here. Big changes start with small steps. 
2. Quick write check-ins. Grab your journal and put 5 minutes on the clock. Freely write on the prompt: ‘How is my heart feeling right now? What does it need today to feel supported/cared for/ loved?’  There is no right or wrong in a free-write, simply allow what is authentic to you to come forth and be written. There is no need to judge what comes up for you here. This is a practice of holding space for yourself with a listening heart, and then acting with compassion for yourself. Now, based on what you’ve written, you should have at least one or two action steps you can take during your day either before, during, or after a moment of stress. 
3. Communicate and Delegate. If you are a chronically busy person, it is important to recognize that sometimes you can’t do it all alone. It is okay to ask for help when you need it, especially before you are completely burnt out. In times of heightened stress and anxiety, do your best to respectfully communicate your struggle and feelings with trusted loved ones, family members, and supportive community. Take time to prioritize your needs, and if possible, off-load some of your mental and/or physical workload to a trusted loved one, friend, or co-worker. Try not to feel guilty about needing extra support. We are human, and there will come a time when the person you need help from will need it themselves somewhere down the line. 

Sometimes, we feel that being busy means that we have no time for ourselves, and that our needs should come last. Instead, times like this call for more committed self-care than ever. Take baby steps towards stress management and remember your worth. I hope that these ideas can support your mental health journey going forward!