Managing Your Wellbeing As A Busy Person

Managing your wellbeing when you're busy can be a challenge, but it's essential to prioritise self-care to avoid burnout and maintain your physical and mental health. Here are some tips to help you manage your wellbeing when you're busy:

Set realistic goals and priorities: Identify your most important tasks and prioritise them. Setting realistic goals can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed and manage your time more efficiently. Remember these don’t need to be huge, long-term goals, they just need to be something you need, or indeed would like to, achieve that day, or week.

Take breaks: Make sure to take short breaks throughout the day to recharge your batteries. Even a 5-10 minute break can help you clear your mind and refocus. If you spend most of your day sat at a desk or computer it’s important to stand up and move every so often. In fact there is a 20-8-2 “rule”: sit for 20 minutes, stand for 8 minutes, walk for 2 minutes.

Practice mindfulness: Incorporate mindfulness practices into your day, such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga. These practices can help you stay centred and calm during busy times. Whilst it is very clever to be able to multitask working in a mindful way - ie one task at a time - is the best way. Focussing entirely on the task in hand means that you’re probably working more efficiently.

Exercise regularly: Regular exercise can boost your mood, increase energy levels, and reduce stress. Even a short workout can make a big difference in how you feel. If you have a long lunch break (one hour for example) taking 10-20 minutes having a brisk walk can do the world of good.

Get enough sleep: Make sure to get enough sleep each night to help you feel rested and refreshed. If you're having trouble sleeping, try incorporating relaxation techniques into your bedtime routine, such as reading or taking a warm bath. Try to avoid gadgets if at all possible.

Eat well: Eating a healthy, balanced diet can help you stay energised and focused. Try to incorporate nutrient-dense foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein, into your meals. If you find yourself snacking because you’re “bored” there are a huge range of healthy snacks you can enjoy - but of course sometimes we just want to be naughty and there’s nothing wrong with that…in moderation!

Connect with others: Make time to connect with friends and family, even if it's just a quick phone call or text. Social connections can help reduce stress and boost your mood. Whilst Social Media has its pitfalls it is a blessing to help you connect with people easily. You don’t need to surf through all the crap that’s on there - just ping someone a message.

Set boundaries: It's essential to set healthy boundaries and learn to say no to activities or people that drain your energy or cause stress. Setting boundaries can help you protect your time and prioritise your needs. I’ll be writing about boundaries in a future blog, probably next month, but for now remember that “no” is an acceptable answer if you’re too busy!

Ask for help: Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Whether it's from your partner, a friend, or a professional, asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. If you’re a busy parent for example, then asking your kids to help out is fine.

Remember, taking care of your wellbeing is essential to your overall health and happiness. Prioritise self-care and make it a non-negotiable part of your daily routine, even when you're busy.