Why Self-Care is Vital for the Professional Woman

While you’re busy taking care of your responsibilities and others – do you ever forget to take care of yourself?

As mothers, wives, adult children and working women, all too often we take care of others before we take care of ourselves. When we neglect to take care of our own physical, mental and emotional needs, the consequences can be dire.

According to GoodTherapy.org: The term self-care refers to the actions that an individual might take in order to reach optimal physical and mental health. Mental health professionals often use the term self-care to refer to one’s ability to take care of the activities of daily living, or ADLs, such as feeding oneself, showering, brushing one’s teeth, wearing clean clothes, and attending to medical concerns.

If we don’t allocate a certain amount of time for self-care, we’re ultimately putting ourselves at risk for burnout, exhaustion and depression.

Consider trying these self-care exercises to promote your overall wellbeing as you grow in your career.

– Make an Investment in Yourself – as Often as You Can: Whether it’s a visit to the spa or your dream vacation, it’s okay to not feel guilty about treating yourself to something that enriches your day-to-day life and personal development.

– Learn How to Say “No”: As women we’re socialized to be overly nice and, that’s why, for many of us learning how to say “no” to loved ones without feeling guilty can be difficult. Saying “no” to people or things that affect your self-care activities gives you the freedom to make time for your priorities.

– Unplug: Throughout the day we’re inundated with technology; overwhelmed by emails and distracted by social media. Try unplugging from technology for 15 to 30 minutes each day and dedicate that time to a self-care activity, such as writing in your journal, engaging in your favorite hobby or taking a power nap.

How do you practice self-care in spite of a busy schedule?