When spa baths and oils are not enough
I will be the first to promote and encourage self-care rituals to relieve stress, anxiety, and other rigors. At the outset of the epidemic, I was also a new mother to my second child....and every loving mother and person knows postpartum is around and authentic. From work to managing Well&Co, and the several other hats I wear, there have been abundant occasions when my mindfulness practices were unsuccessful. Let's face it: the epidemic took a toll on everyone and posed the most serious obstacle.
Well&Co was designed to promote mindful living practices. However, my present feelings during and after the epidemic contradicted some of my articles. Less material was populating my site due to my failure to establish the balance and stability I had previously advocated for my followers. How could I write and offer one thing if I was feeling gloomy? I routinely typed the following statement in my daily diary, "Follow your counsel!" It was frequently easier said than done.
Guilt has also stayed in my thoughts. I would be ashamed of the feelings I was feeling. Who was I to be upset when others were going through much worse? Who was I to even complain? As a result, I endeavor to move ahead each day on my business deliverables, family duties, and numerous activities while embracing me-time when available. With each mindfulness practice, the shift to a peaceful state was brutal. Slowly, I realized that my sluggishness was caused not just by stress and being a new parent but also by burnout. The hours I spent on standard self-care procedures did not produce the desired results.
As time passed, I began to rethink what was important to me. While happiness is excellent, serenity and tranquility seem more gratifying. As a result, my daily planner needed to be revised. While many people portray the concept of "busy" as attractive and inspiring, busy was hurting me. My activity prevented me from helping myself, and as a result, burnout occurred. Learning to push the stop button is the most challenging thing one can do. As Brene Brown says in her book Dearing Greatly, when conditioned to stay busy, this behavior becomes the universal numbing method to avoid suffering.
Setting personal and professional boundaries provided the crucial self-care required to repair some of my stress. Redefining self-care beyond spa baths was critical, especially as I reached the last months of the epidemic. Redefining mindfulness concerning my health has been freeing but needs to be corrected. That was only the first step toward excellent health and wellness.
Proper self-care decides what you accept and your efforts to generate healthy changes. Building a dependable support system, establishing healthy boundaries, and putting pride aside to seek help are all critical components of sustaining our mental health.
If you are suffering from burnout or need encouragement to take a break, consider what jobs you can delegate and seek help while surrounding yourself with people who love and care about you. A sympathetic and understanding individual will not criticize you because the epidemic affected everyone, including those who deny it.
This essay helps to put into perspective that everyone is hurting somehow, and we must break the taboo of discussing the need for more support, love, and care. Being able to rethink self-care concerning your health is an excellent first step.
Photo Credit: TreCharmantes
