Life can be overwhelming at times. Between work deadlines, getting the kids to after-school activities, and balancing our careers and marriages, it can feel like we're carrying too much. We often find ourselves struggling to juggle it all before everything inevitably comes crashing down. So, what can we do when life feels this way? One effective solution is to engage in self-care activities.
According to a study published in BMC Medical Education, medical students in the U.S. who participated in self-care activities reported lower levels of perceived stress and a higher quality of life (Ayala et al., 2018). The study also found that those who engaged in self-care saw themselves as more resilient, better equipped to cope with heightened distress, and able to fully participate in their education (Ayala et al., 2018, p. 6). Self-care empowers us to keep moving forward, even when life gets tough. It builds our resilience to stress and enables us to embrace life more fully.
So, if you’re feeling stressed and want to create a plan to manage life’s demands, what should you do? The next step could be developing a self-care plan that helps you build resilience. This plan should include intentional actions that promote your overall well-being and reduce stress (Bloomquist et al., 2015).
For me, this means going for daily walks—at least during the weekdays—before my wife and kids wake up. This quiet time with my dog and a good podcast sets the tone for my day. Another way I practice self-care is by incorporating physical activity, like hitting the gym for intense cardio after the kids go to bed. It helps me burn off the day’s stress, increases my heart rate, and leaves me feeling more relaxed by bedtime. Finally, setting small, achievable goals like finishing a school assignment or organizing my week in advance gives me a sense of accomplishment and reduces stress.
The best time to start a self-care plan is when things are going well, when we feel like we have energy to spare. By regularly following a self-care routine, we can build up our resilience so that when distressing times do come, we’re better equipped to face them head-on.
Ready to Create Your Self-Care Plan?
At BSB Counselling, we understand the challenges of managing stress and finding balance. If you’re looking for support in building a personalized self-care routine or navigating stressful life transitions, we’re here to help. Book a free consultation and take the first step towards reducing stress and living a more balanced life by clicking on the 'Request an Appointment' button below.
References:
Ayala, E.E., Winseman, J.S., Johnsen, R.D. et al. U.S. medical students who engage in self-care report less stress and higher quality of life. BMC Med Educ 18, 189 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-018-1296-x
Bloomquist, K. R., Wood, L., Friedmeyer-Trainor, K., & Kim, H. W. (2015). Self-care and professional quality of life: Predictive factors among MSW practitioners. Advances in Social Work, 16(2), 292-311.