Making time to care for yourself may be the last thing on your “To-Do List” lately. But it is essential to give yourself some self-care to help balance out these extra ordinary times of unexpected change.

With family, work, and school schedules changing on a daily and almost hourly basis, planning for anything beyond the present moment becomes near impossible, and time for self-care can become reduced to non-existent. As days, weeks, and months go by the pressure inside can build and create irritability, high blood pressure, depression, and deterioration of body, mind, and spirit. These negative effects of daily stress and pressure are felt physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Starting this fall make sure to budget into your day a small amount of time for something that you enjoy. A little bit of “you time” can release the built up pressure and relax your over worked nerves. This allotted time for engaging in something pleasing and positive for you will carry over and influence all of your other daily activities and chores. Giving you renewed strength and spirit to continue caring for all your loved ones throughout the day.

It’s time to start caring for and giving yourself as much love as you have been caring for and giving all of the important people in your life.

Some examples of self-care activities include:

*Going for a walk

*Listening to music

*Practice Yoga

*Journaling

*Warm cup of Tea

*Call a friend

*Prayer or Meditation

*Read a book

*Take a warm bath

*Take time away from your phone

*Smile

Try something new or return to something your once loved.

Vary up your activities.

Once you have shifted the focus of your energy to an enjoyable activity:

Your body will thank you

Your mind will relax

Your outlook will improve

And your heart will fill back up with love to share!

You have a wealth of possibilities so use your imagination and follow your heart!

Robbie Goldman

Exercise Physiologist

Dedham Health and Athletic Complex