Putting Yourself into the Equation

Why Protecting Even Ten Minutes for Yourself Can Change Everything

Wow! What a morning it has been and it’s not even 9 a.m. yet!

There’s been a lot of discussion lately about self-care and about putting yourself into the equation of life, even during extremely busy times. I was reflecting on this very idea while I was getting ready for work before a 9 a.m. meeting.

It made me pause and think about what really happens when life gets busy.

What We Usually Sacrifice First

When we become busy, most of us tell ourselves we can handle it. We push through, take on more, and keep moving forward.

But what's the first thing we usually let go of?

The very activities that nourish us.

Sometimes we stop eating properly, or even forget to eat altogether, because we’re "too busy." What was supposed to be a “short,” intense season stretches longer and longer, and eventually exhaustion begins to creep in.

Before we know it, we start feeling burned out.

The Quiet Signs of Burnout

Burnout doesn't always arrive dramatically.

Instead, it shows up in subtle ways. You begin to notice that you’re not showing up the way you’d like to - for your job, your family, your spouse, your kids, your friends... fill in the blank.

Even when it comes to activities you normally enjoy, you don’t have the energy to fully experience them.

Then another layer appears: you start being hard on yourself for feeling this way. The self-criticism can easily turn into a vicious cycle, one that might eventually lead to a doctor’s office or a therapist’s chair.

That might sounds drastic.

But for many people, it's closer to reality that we'd like to admit.

Guarding Time for Yourself

That is why fiercely guarding time for yourself matters.

For some people, that idea can feel selfish. Maybe that belief was picked up from family, culture or your environment. Who knows?

But here's another way to look at it.

Putting yourself into the equation of your life - prioritizing your own care - helps fill your gas tank. When you’re not running on empty, you're able to show up more fully for your loved ones and the responsibilities that matter most.

Not so selfish after all, is it?

Start Small: Five to Ten Minutes

The good news is that self-care doesn’t need to be complicated or time-consuming.

Start with five minutes a day.

Even better—ten minutes.

And no, sleep doesn’t count.

Step outside and spend a few into nature.

Read a few pages of a book.

Try laughter therapy - yes, literally laughing for no reason.

Do what nourishes you.

Because when you take those few minutes to care for yourself, you begin to feel better. And when you feel better, you can show up more fully for work, your family, friends - for what matters most in your life.