The Best project you will ever work on Is You: Self Care
‘Success and Self Care cannot co-exist’- this is somehow drilled into our minds.
The very phrase ‘Work-Life Balance’ puts Work and Life on opposing scales of the weighing balance.
So, our burning aspirations walk hand in hand with this crippling belief that to rise higher, we must make sacrifices.
We interpret these ‘sacrifices’ as choosing to sleep lesser, work longer, consume quicker food (read fast food!) and so on… leaving little or no time/energy for mind-body-soul restoration.
The consequences…
An exponential growth in lifestyle diseases like obesity, diabetes, strokes/heart diseases, lung diseases …
Plus, growing mental health issues like stress, anxiety, depression and panic disorders.
Why Self Care must be a part of your overall Growth strategy:
A meta-analysis of 15 studies conducted amongst 5,31,804 participants from 17 countries showed that approximately 60% of premature deaths could be attributed to unhealthy lifestyle factors such as poor diet/nutrition, poor sleep, low physical activity, stress, substance abuse!! (Source: Loef M Walach et al 2012- PubMed)
Yes, Success comes with one pointed laser focus…
But won’t burning the candle on both ends, will simply wipe out the poor candle - much before its time!
And when Success arrives but you can’t enjoy it, then…?
On the contrary…
Studies point that living with quality Self-Care can lead to :
· Greater self-esteem
· More optimistic and positive outlook to life.
· Preference for healthy behaviour and a distaste for unhealthy ones.
· Better health and energy level
· Lower stress, anxiety levels
· A deeper connection with Self as well as loved ones.
· A deep sense of meaning and purpose in life.
In a national survey, Americans reported higher confidence, happiness and productivity as key benefits of Self Care.
Three key points to keep in mind before formulating your Self Care plan:
1. Change the default Mindset:
Self-Care and Success can co-exist.
Simply recognizing this fact, is liberating.
Break the ‘I don’t have time’ habit.
A simple resolve can send powerful subconscious signals to your ‘schedule’ to make room for the brand-new guest.
2. Avoid seeking perfection:
An ‘all or nothing’ attitude simply won’t help.
The goal to go from utter self-neglect to super self-care is likely going to fizzle out.
Start slow and easy. Set tiny goals. Go easy on yourself when you can’t keep up with your resolve for days.
Recommit every single day to the fact that YOU are the larger picture.
You are more than your occupation, your job, your current social / financial standing and you will give due regard to the larger picture…. Particularly on days when you fail badly.
3. Choose what recharges you and not what drains you.
Self-care can mean different things to different people.
Some may find music rejuvenating while for others it may be cooking or watching their favorite shows.
While putting together a diet plan again, personalize yours with healthy stuff that you like eating.
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Don’t blindly hit the gym just because everyone is pumping iron. Choose the kind of movement that resonates with you.
Maybe the gym drains you out whereas that dance routine charges you up.
Eight dimensions of Self- Care that you must strive to nurture:
Selfcare means nurturing self on 8 different dimensions: Physical, Emotional, Spiritual, Social, Intellectual, Financial, Environmental and Occupational.
1. Financial Self Care:
Financial Self Care means ensuring your money is well managed and its working to create that nest egg for you.
Also thinking and executing a financial plan to be ready for large expenditures like kids’ higher education/ medical emergencies etc.
Additionally keeping your dependents safe with life and asset insurance.
2. Intellectual Self Care:
Means keeping your brain sharp and agile.
Reading and taking Upskilling courses are great ways to keep up with innovations and trends.
3. Emotional Self Care:
Spending quality ‘Me-time’ recharging your batteries.
Also giving one on one time to immediate family members. Tiny things like eating together, reading together, sharing and listening about each other’s experiences help bond.
4. Physical Self Care:
Balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, nuts, and protein for energy and focus that lasts the whole day … plus 1.5 to 2 litres of water.
Adequate sleep, about 7-9 hours day
Physical movement about 30 minutes a day
Skip junk, caffeine, alcohol.
5. Social Self-care:
Scheduling time with friends, colleagues, neighbors to hang out together – festivals, events or otherwise.
6. Spiritual Self Care:
Reconnecting to the deep values that all religions teach – is a great way of staying grounded. Praying, chanting, reading verses, meditation are good ways of maintaining that divine connection.
7. Environmental Self Care
Scheduling time to give back to the community. Any small slot will also do, the important thing is to be consistent.
8. Occupational Self Care
Upskilling or doing a deep dive study in your chosen line of work. This will help you keep your competitive edge.
Sometimes we also have pet projects that we save for later. Schedule tiny bits of weekly/fortnightly slots and see how far you reach in a year.
Hope this mini reckoner on Self Care was helpful!
Stay loved..
References:
Harvard Business Review
PUB Med/ NIH
United Nations
Wikipedia