Morning friends, and happy Tuesday to you all!
How was your Monday? I feel like the day just flew on by. If this is how the rest of the week will go, I will happily accept that fact.
Today, I want to chat busyness. There seems to be a “busy epidemic” going on, where we all feel the need to put too much on our plates, stress ourselves out until we are living completely unbalanced lives. Therefore, we are experiencing far more than a healthy level of stress.
{ A stress free Breakfast is my favorite way to start the day… Oat bran, sun warrior, banana, cinnamon, and coconut butter }
Too often, stress can take over our lives. In our society, it’s natural to be crowding our plates with more, be more busy, put everything and everyone before yourself. It seems like it’s some sort of bragging right when we are “oh my gosh, so busy” that we don’t even have time for ourselves. Since when did becoming over-stressed become something to be proud of?
Of course, stress can be part of a healthy, and balanced lifestyle. We experience stress from working out, relationships, family, friends, even working out is stress on the body.
{ Snacking on almond butter + berries }
It’s natural to experience stress, but when we start feeling the negative results that too much stress can result in (sleeplessness, anxiety, fatigue, migraines, weight problems, and guilt – those are just some of the few).
Not only is it important to take care of our physical bodies, but I believe it’s equally as important to take care of our mental and emotional health as well. That’s why I’ve started to be way more mindful in daily acts of self-care and self-love.
Take time for you, be mindful about self care.
{ I’ve been loving spaghetti squash lately. Underneath is a sauce made of 1/2 an avocado, 1 teaspoon melted coconut oil, a dash of fresh basil, and 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast, 2 tablespoons water. All mixed up until combined }
Here are some of the things I use in my daily life to celebrate a little bit of selfish time;)
Schedule time into your day…even if it’s only for 5 minutes, it’s better than spending no time for yourself. Meditate, close your eyes and simply just sit and enjoy the moment, do yoga, relax with a cup of tea, paint your nails, just do something you love to do.
Write…I find writing is a huge release of emotions for me. Whether I write a blog post, write in a journal, or simply write anything it’s something I enjoy doing daily.
{ Love sitting down at the end of the night with a good book }
Read…getting lost in a good book is another thing I love to do. It takes me away from my thoughts and I can focus on other things besides my stressors.
Say no…Do you ever get that feeling of relief when you just say no to something you really don’t want to do. Yah, it happens to me a lot of the time. It can be saying no to friends, family, or to yourself. Say no when you feel overwhelmed and negatively stressed. Stop feeling guilty that you can’t do everything and anything. We’re human not magicians. It’s impossible to do it all.
{ Painting my nails is another I love to get done for some “me time” }
Love what you’re doing…Just because I’m recommending these things don’t mean they’re right for you. Find what you enjoy and love that moment. Maybe walking isn’t your thing and you’d rather read. Do what you need to do to improve your mood and decrease your stress and love that feeling.
By simply slowing down, saying no to people, saying no to my “schedule”. Just taking a few moments to do something that I enjoy, that I like to do for pleasure can make all the difference. It’s those little moments that will make us feel much more at ease and in turn a much more happy person!
How do you enjoy “me time”?
What’s your favorite way to show self-care?
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed or stressed?
Have a great Tuesday!
About Lisa
With a new baby and being in school, I definitely need some me time!! I try to do that either during her naps or when she’s in bed at night. It’s so hard to keep going if you don’t have that “me” time. So I do it for my sake and always hers and my hubby’s
.
That’s excellent!:)
Me time is being at the gym, going for a walk, or relaxing reading blogs without a time constraint or a million things on my mind!
Me time is cudding up with a latte and a good book or going for a long run and just letting all my thoughts go. When I get overwhelmed it generally means I have too much going on and I just need a weekend with no plans. Great post!
Love it!
So true Lisa! Being overly busy and stressed out as almost become a bragging point in society – the one with the most shit to do wins! It really shouldn’t be that way, because being that stressed out and busy all the time really causes nothing but issues. Taking a few minutes to relax each day is definitely necessary.
I like to either relax on the couch and watch a TV show, or take a few minutes to pick up a mindless book or a magazine to get lost in for a few minutes. Seriously so important for my mental health.
Exactly! Being stressed isn’t healthy, nor is it fun. It leaves us in such a bad head space.
Love your relaxation time tips!
I think this post might have been written for me! I am total stress case at most times and really do need to learn to just stop and take time for me too! Another great post!
Thanks Danielle!:)
My husband & I both support each others need for ME time so if either of us is stressed, we’ll help to take the load off of each other (cooking, cleaning, errands, etc) so the other person can chill out. I like to take a salt bath & go to bed really early with a book. There’s nothing like a good nights sleep!
That’s so great you both support each other that way!
I totally need ME time. If I don’t, I automatically fall back into ED habits. Interesting. My body shows me right away if I stress myself too much. If I want ME time, I meditate, do a workout, go shopping or just chilling on the couch, blogging, reading or knitting
Very interesting, and I think it’s true for me as well! Now that I think about it. Love all your me time activities!
I agree that people are way more stressed than ever before. I think technology plays a huge role in this because people feel like they can’t function without it. Including myself, I know I can get stuck on the internet doing nothing for hours. My me time is working out. I truly think about nothing when I’m at the gym.
Totally agree Ashley! I think technology also plays a big roll in the stress!
I was talking about this with one of my girlfriends the other day. We live in such a strange society where busyness is venerated and relaxation is shamed. It’s ironic though because many studies have shown that stress kills! I say, take a nap, read a book, watch some TV… whatever! Relaxation is SO important for mental health.
It’s so crazy how society seems to think that busyness is something to me admired upon, don’t understand it too much! I don’t see too much stress as a good thing!
I need to practice the say no, like a lot. Probably one of my biggest obstacles in self care
Hi! I just found your blog and love it. This is such a great post, and “me”-time is really important. I love curling up with a good book & cup of coffee, or painting my nails while watching a DVR’d episode of The Bachelor.
Thank you!
Those are definitely some of my favorites too:)
With a toddler, time for myself can be hard to come by. However, I’ve learned to make time by going to bed earlier so I can wake up earlier and have some time to enjoy my coffee in peach
I also make sure to get in my fitness time everyday which is a great de-stressor!
That’s great you get to enjoy your coffee in peace by waking up earlier:)
I can just imagine having a toddler can be crazy sometimes, when I was a Nanny, I looked after two and almost lost my mind a few times
When I feel stressed I find it really helpful to make a list of everything I have to do. There is something calming about putting it on paper instead of having it swirling around your head. Once it’s on paper I can either see that it is indeed manageable or I am able to reevaluate my commitments. My self care usually involves exercising or curling up with a good book. Self care has become even more important since the baby it just takes a little careful planning.
So agree with writing things on paper!
It actually really bothers me how much emphasis is placed on keeping busy. It’s like if you’re not running yourself to the ground with a mile long to-do list, you’re lazy and unmotivated. Whaaaa? No wonder people are stressed to the max, depressed, and anxious… they’re not allowed to do the things they love without feeling guilty about it! I used to feel like I constantly had to be doing something productive, and consequently felt really guilty whenever I wanted to sit down and do something for me, but I’ve really been working on scheduling time into my day to do the things I love, and holy.wow does it make a huge difference in my overall state of mind. My favorite me time activities? Reading, doing puzzles, pampering myself, and playing video games
Ugh, I feel the same way! I don’t understand it at all! Why do we need to be constantly busy, it’s unnecessary and shown to cause destruction in our later years of lives too, yet people still preach it.
I think we share those favorite me time activities!
I definitely know what you mean with being busy and how it is so important to take time out for yourself. I use my time to exercise as me time but I also want to add in some reading too.
I know you mentioned two books on your blog recently, can you mention the names again? I vaguely remember but they both had to do with happiness and meditation. Thanks! Have a great Tuesday!
They were by Gabrielle Bernstein!
She’s a great author.
One is called May Cause Miracles and the other is called Add More Ing To Your Life. They’re both really good!
I definitely agree with what you’ve said but I’m also guilty of doing a million things all the time… Going from one thing to the next, bouncing back and forth, and juggling a few things at a time. That being said, I’ve taken more of an effort to say no and to make more time for myself – to enjoy the things in my life, rather than letting them simply pass by. I think oftentimes people struggle to say no because they think it’s selfish, when in reality it could be one of the least selfish things you can do.
I’m glad you’re taking more of an effort! Exactly, a lot of people think those things are selfish, when they are totally the opposite!
Ironically, I just started a post on my meals while busy…I think it’s so true through that “being busy” had become somewhat of a cliched epidemic. Usually what’s best for us is to step away from all the craziness, if just for a few minutes each day.
Great minds think alike
when feeling super stressed usually like to chat with a friend or family, read or go outside and move a little
Love doing those things too!
Do you know how bad I needed to read this today??? I’m turning off my computer and relaxing now. Life is seriously too busy at this house!
Yay! Glad this post helped my dear!
I always feel so guilty saying no….because I like to do what I SAY I’m going to do…..but really sometimes you have to say no!
This is something I’ve definitely struggled with in the past (I’m sure most of us have!) but I’m learning more and more each day how important it is to put my mental and emotional health before anything else. I try to incorporate at least 5-10 minutes of simple meditation or “quiet time” every day and I usually spend at least 30+ minutes with my nose buried in a book. (:
Totally agree!
I have been wanting spaghetti squash but can’t find it lately
I always take at least 5 minutes of ME time after I put on my makeup. I sit + say my affirmations + sip on tea or take some deep breaths. I enjoy starting my day on a positive note and letting life happen instead of being worried or fearful! Beautiful post 
Thanks for the positive note! Love + Shine CourtStar
Oh boo, I hate when I can’t find squash.
Love that you always make sure to have “me time” after getting ready for the day, it’s so important!
LOVE this post, Lisa! The “let’s pack my schedule to the brim because that’s what everyone else is doing” mentality is so prevalent in our society, and I feel like it’s particularly extreme in Washington, DC! Everyone is Type A in this city, and people literally pack five events into each evening on a regular basis. It’s crazy. And it’s definitely not healthy. To release the stress of over-booking, everyone drinks…which of course, requires going out. Haha. So the cycle continues.
It took me a long time to learn how to say “no,” but that word has become a very close friend of mine, and it’s actually enabled me to be a better friend. As cheesy as it sounds, saying no means I have more *quality* time to spend doing the things I love with the people I love (or even alone by myself). I’m able to give more of myself, because I’m not running around like a crazy person.
My favorite way to make “me time” is to take a hot bath, drink a fantastic cappuccino, or even browse fun stores that sell funky cards, books, jewelry etc.
Love you!! <3 xoxo
Amen! Yes, yes, yes. So agree on all that you said haha.
I can’t even imagine what DC would be like! It totally is Type A over there that’s for sure!
Not cheesy at all, I think that’s one of my favorite mantras. I may steal it
Of course I love your me time activities. I totally do all the same!
Love you! xoxo
What is “me” time? LOL. Just kidding. Loving that speghetti squash bowl. Hmm….
Haha, you definitely need your me time:)
I think I’m just wildly addicted to every squash out there. Maybe I need a squash intervention.