How to Prioritize your Mental Wellbeing with a Busy Schedule

Do you feel as though, at times, your lifestyle is nothing short of hectic? If so then now is the time for you to do something about that. If you follow this guide then you will soon find that it is not only easy for you to make a positive change, but for you to also make sure that you are taking steps to support yourself moving forward. 

Spark Joy

One of the first things you need to do is try and learn how to spark joy for yourself. Whether it is learning, reading, journaling, or even hiking, you need to learn how to replenish your mind and your soul. You should also make sure that you block out parts of your weekend so you can put things like this first. Treat it as if it is an appointment with yourself, and also make sure that you stick with it just like you would any other commitment. If you can do this, and if you can focus on creating a structured framework, then this will help you to deal with the chaos that is associated with your day-to-day life. It will also help you to focus on the things that make you feel better, which is always a good thing. 

Develop a Solid Routine

Establishing a consistent routine is so important. If you have a consistent routine then even if you have a busy schedule, you will still be able to find time for yourself. Aim for a set bedtime every day and also make sure that you wake up at the same time every day too. You should ideally aim to do this over the weekend as well. Even though waking up at the same time over the weekend probably doesn’t feel like fun, it’s a good way to make sure that you are creating time to take care of yourself. It also allows you to try and regulate your internal clock, which is so important. If you are having problems with sleeping due to stress, then make sure that you create a relaxing bedtime ritual. It may be that you practice reading, or that you have a gentle wind-down routine.

Other things you can do is avoid screens, caffeine and big meals too close to bedtime. These can easily disrupt your sleep pattern, and it can make it much more difficult for you to unwind. You should also make sure that you eliminate caffeine, as again, this can disrupt your sleep pattern and make it harder for you to switch off.

Practice Breathing

Incorporate brief yet very powerful mindfulness practices into your day, so you can take advantage of profound health benefits. This is a good way for you to ground yourself when things get chaotic, not to mention that it is also a good way for you to make sure that you are putting yourself first as much as possible. If you want to practice this technique then make sure that you find a space where you can sit and be comfortable for a couple of minutes. When you have, focus on the sensation of air entering and then leaving your body. Expand your awareness too, so you can observe your thoughts. When you have done this, you then need to focus on the rise and fall of your chess, with each passing breath. With each exhale, let go of tension and stress so you can relax more deeply. If you can repeat this process for roughly three minutes, then you can immerse yourself in the experience more, while cultivating resilience and enhancing mental clarity.

Research Healthy Meals

Research has shown time and time again that the food you eat is often linked to your mental health. Chronic inflammation has often been linked to low mood, and it is also connected to anxiety as well. If you have a diet that is high in processed foods, or unhealthy fats then this will promote inflammation in the body as well. If you have a diet that is rich in whole foods, fruit, vegetables, and more then this can go a long way when it comes to reducing inflammation, while supporting your wellbeing as a whole. If you are managing meal planning, and cooking feels overwhelming at times then it is a good idea for you to try and make sure that you are using a meal delivery service. This is a great way for you to get meals that are tailored to your specific preferences, and it also allows you to have a consistent solution that is catered to nourishing your body and your mind.

Say No More Often

Saying no is so important. Setting boundaries and prioritizing your time is so important if you want to stop burnout while protecting your mental health. If you find that you say yes to everything then you may run the risk of spreading yourself too thin, and this leaves very little time for you to do the things that you happen to love. Over time, this can lead to feelings of stress and exhaustion, not to mention that you also run the risk of feeling some resentment.   If you can learn to say no then this will help you to empower yourself so you can put a bigger focus on the things that are important to you. You can also communicate your needs better, and allocate your resources much more effectively. 

The more you can practice assertiveness and the more you can decline requests, the better you will get at it as well. You don’t need to give excuses, and you don’t need to elaborate either. Simply express your limitations and also make sure that you are offering an alternative solution where you can. Say no to things that do not happen to align with your values, because the more you do this, the more you will find that you can put your own needs first, and this will help you more than you realize.

Unwind and De-Stress

Although you do need to find ways to reduce the stress you’re under, you also need to find ways to try and lower the amount of stress you are experiencing. There are a lot of ways that you can do this, but the most popular would be for you to try and play games. When you play games, like Mahjong, you will notice that it helps you to focus on the current moment, rather than all the stress you are under right now. You may also find that it helps you to focus on something more peaceful, rather than all the anxiety that is swirling around your head. If you want to help yourself even more then it is a good idea for you to try different games too, as some games may offer the chance to be more strategic than others.

If you struggle with stress at work, then remember, you can always play games like this on the go, which allows you to unwind without having to bottle the stress up until you get home. Little things like this will make a huge difference to your life, and it will also give you more options to reduce stress in the day, which is always a good thing.

So as you can see, it’s very easy for you to not only prioritize your mental health but also your well-being. If you follow this guide, you will soon find that it is easier than ever for you to make changes that benefit you in more ways than one.

Author: Evangeline