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Brain Break: Building a Self-Care Routine

hollingworths22
Feb 9
2 min read

Welcome back, Brainiac! Today, I wanted to share some ideas for building a self-care routine that is sustainable for your very busy schedule.


Contrary to popular belief, self-care doesn't have to cost money or take a lot of time. In fact, some of the most powerful self-care activities take less than 2 minutes and don't cost a thing. As nice as it would be to take a long vacation to your ideal destination, get regular massages, or go on lavish spending sprees to your favorite stores regularly, most of us don't have the time or resources to make these forms of self-care happen on a regular basis. Therefore, we need to figure out other ways to build in relaxation, downtime, and other forms of self-care that help us recharge effectively.


Below are some tips that you can build into the time you do have in your day so you can create a sustainable self-care plan for your everyday needs:

  1. If you have 2 minutes or less:

    1. Focus on your breath

    2. Stand up and stretch

    3. Close your eyes and count to 10

    4. Laugh

    5. Doodle

    6. Acknowledge an accomplishment

    7. Say no to a new responsibility or request

    8. Complement yourself

    9. Look out the window or at some element of nature in the room

    10. Spend time with your pet

    11. Share a favorite joke with a friend or colleague

  2. If you have 5 minutes:

    1. Listen to a song your brain is craving

    2. Have a cleansing cry

    3. Chat with someone who uplifts your mood

    4. Sing out loud

    5. Make a list

    6. Step outside and take 10 deep breaths

    7. Enjoy a snack or favorite beverage

  3. If you have 10 minutes:

    1. Evaluate your day and make adjustments to your plans if needed

    2. Write in a journal

    3. Video call with a loved one

    4. Meditate

    5. Tidy up your work space

    6. Draw or color a picture

    7. Have a dance party

    8. Listen to soothing sounds and visualize yourself somewhere relaxing

    9. Read an interesting article

    10. Go for a walk

  4. If you have 30 minutes or more:

    1. Get a massage

    2. Complete an exercise routine

    3. Have lunch with a coworker or friend

    4. Take a bubble bath or long shower

    5. Read a book

    6. Listen to a podcast

    7. Go shopping and treat yourself

    8. Watch an episode of your favorite show

    9. Spend time in nature



TLDR take aways

  1. We all lead very busy lives and don't always have the luxury of extended periods of time or the resources to engage in what popular culture has led us to believe are self-care activities.

  2. Self-care doesn't have to cost money or take a lot of time.

  3. Build small acts of self-care into the time you do have in your day so you can create a sustainable self-care plan.


Be kind to your mind, Brainiacs- even Serabellum Superstars need brain breaks.

 
 
 

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