Self-Care Unveiled: The Tough Journey to True Well-being

Welcome to Back to Bright, where the echoes of high achievement meet the realities of mitigating chronic stress. Created by Erayna Sargent and the Hooky Wellness team, join us in exploring topics like hard-truths about burnout, discovering relief through mental wellness, and redefining success. Welcome to a space dedicated to reclaiming your brilliance. 

Self-care is a buzzword that's often tossed around in conversations about mental health and well-being. Yet, despite its prevalence, there's an aspect of self-care that doesn't get enough airtime: it’s not always easy. Practicing self-care can be hard, and the challenges are many, but it's a necessity for supporting your well-being.

I’ve recently been in yet another season of transition (hi ATL), and it’s these same tools that I train my clients to use that have helped me navigate this period of elevated stress. Knowing what works for me and sticking to these self-care practices have been crucial during this challenging time.

Here are a few essential tips to elevate your self-care routine:

Figuring Out What Works for You

The first hurdle in the self-care journey is figuring out what works best for you. This can be especially tricky because what you need can change depending on your situation. For some, a morning run might be invigorating, while for others, it might be the last thing they want to do. The key is to experiment and listen to your body and mind. It’s about discovering the activities that truly rejuvenate you, whether that’s meditation, reading a book, or simply taking a walk in nature.

Making Time and Preparing for Self-Care

Once you’ve identified your go-to self-care practices, the next challenge is making time for them. Our lives are often so packed that finding time for ourselves feels like a luxury. But self-care is a necessity, not an indulgence. It requires intentional scheduling and, sometimes, preparation. Even something as seemingly simple as a relaxing bath involves cleaning the tub before and after, setting up candles or bath salts, and ensuring you have uninterrupted time to enjoy it.

The Emotional Tax

Then there’s the emotional tax that comes with self-care. Enforcing boundaries, saying no, and forgiving yourself in advance for not being available 24/7 can be taxing. These actions are crucial to protect your mental health, but they can also be the most challenging to implement. It’s about giving yourself permission to prioritize your well-being, even when it feels uncomfortable or selfish.

The Impact of Mental Wellness Practices

The effort put into self-care is not without its rewards. Research has shown that mental wellness practices significantly impact stress mitigation. For example, a study by the American Psychological Association found that individuals who engaged in regular self-care activities reported lower levels of stress and higher overall well-being. These practices help gain the clarity and bandwidth needed to make tough decisions and changes required for burnout recovery and prevention.

Take Action

• Experiment and Reflect: Dedicate the next month to experimenting with different self-care practices. Reflect on how each one makes you feel and identify which ones resonate the most with you.
• Schedule and Commit: Pick one self-care activity that stood out to you and schedule it regularly on your calendar. Treat this time as a non-negotiable appointment with yourself. Start small if needed, but make it a priority.

Self-care is an ongoing journey, but every step you take towards prioritizing your well-being is a step towards a healthier, more balanced life. Remember, it’s not about perfection; it’s about progress.

If this was helpful to you, let me know in the comments or share it with a friend.

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Hooky Wellness provides burnout relief and stress management solutions tailored for high-performance professionals. We've supported over 2500 professionals at leading companies including Microsoft, Netflix, Linkedin, and more.  Our programs use the P.A.C.E™ framework, empowering individuals to recognize early signs of burnout and build their burnout contingency toolkit.

Visit hookywellness.com to learn more about our services & support for individuals, organizations, and teams