Balancing family and work responsibilities can be challenging, and you may feel like there’s no time left for yourself. However, self-care is essential, as going without it can lead to burnout. Just like you’d get over the counter meds for ADHD, you should take steps to improve your mental well-being.
There are many ways to practice self-care. Which works for you depends on your temperament, how much time you have and your work industry. The following are popular ways to relax after a rough week:
Take a bubble bath
Stretch or do yoga
Drink a cup of coffee or tea
Sit outside
Meditate
Schedule self-care to ensure you give yourself the necessary time to decompress. If you try to squeeze it into your “free time,” you’ll probably never get around to it. Intentionally setting aside half an hour makes you less likely to miss this essential time.
Set Healthy Boundaries
Saying “no” can be difficult, but it’s crucial to avoiding burnout. If your plate is full, you don’t have to take on more work.
Of course, people may not make this easy. Many work cultures tout the “grind” and expect employees to sacrifice their free time — and even their health — for the bottom line. Supervisors and coworkers may attempt to guilt you for not doing more than your job description.
However, giving in to peer pressure is short-sighted. The long-term damage to your relationships, mental well-being and physical health isn’t worth it.
The good news is that you can start saying “no” immediately. You don’t even need to provide a reason. In fact, it’s best not to, as pushy people will try to argue with your explanation.
Understandably, saying “no” can be more difficult for individuals with social anxiety. Getting anxiety medication over the counter is one way to address the issue. Another is writing out what you plan to say and practicing it in the mirror.
Prioritize Social Bonds
Humans are social creatures and need strong bonds with others for good mental health. If work and household responsibilities overwhelm your life, you may experience greater loneliness.
To prevent this, prioritize time with family and friends. Talking on the phone or video chatting are excellent ways to keep in touch with loved ones who are far away, but you should also take the time to meet in person.
Of course, making friends as an adult is easier said than done. Fortunately, there are ways to expand your social circle:
Take a class.
Pick up a new hobby.
Volunteer at a local charity.
Join a sports team.
Look for book clubs.
While putting yourself out there is challenging, the resulting support network is worthwhile.
Finding the right balance between home and work can make life more manageable. It gives you the space to address the ADHD symptoms 5 year old kid may display or the back pain that just won’t go away. Enforcing your boundaries may be challenging initially, but it will get easier as you experience the benefits.
