b'| SELF CARE GUIDESpotting Signs of Distress Know When Youre in Need of Self-CareBy Mark McGrawI ts not always easy to find time for theself-care, and what you can do about it.DRIFTING AWAY FROM FRIENDS AND things that make you happy and healthy,FAMILYbut not doing so is bound to take a per- SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF Loved ones also have a prominent place in a sonal and professional toll.The experts at the American Institute ofhealthy life. Not getting enough time with them But recognizing you need to take betterStress (AIS) know a few things about how theis a good indicator that things are out of balance. care of yourself and actually doing it are twofeeling of being overloaded affects the humanThis issue often starts at work. Its clearly different things.body and mind, and how one reaction mightimportant to nurture positive relationships Who among us hasnt told ourselves thatbe to make big problems out of small ones.with colleagues and supervisors, but not at the we need to eat better, get to the gym moreThis is a sure sign that you need to take a stepexpense of friends and family. often, or adopt any number of other healthyback and take better care of yourself.While you do have certain duties at work habits? You tell yourself that you will, just asBecause self-awareness is also a fron- and in life that need to be fulfilled, none of soon as things slow down at work, or whental lobe function, it can take a while to real- them can compare to the duty you have to you have more free time to cook healthierize that you are making mountains out ofyourself and your loved ones, writes Matt meals at home.molehills or feeling like every step of the dayDuczeminski at lifehack.org, stressing the The problem, of course, is that work neverrequires too much effort, writes AIS Fellowimportance of taking even a few minutes a day really slows down, and you never really gainCynthia Ackrill, MD, a physician trained infor activities with friends and family. any free time at home. All kinds of thingsneuroscience and wellness and leadershipWhich are you more likely to remember in come along to add stress to our lives, and tocoaching, and an AIS Fellow.10 years? he asks. The times you stayed late take time away from the things that make usThink back over your week, she says.at the office to get a head start on some paper-happy and healthy.Where are you on the slogging throughwork, or the times you spent playing catch Naturally, this leads to lapses in self-care,problems to piece of cake spectrum? Whatswith your kids in the backyard?which leads to stress. It happens to us all. Oryour story about your circumstances? Dig most of us anyway. Consider data from Gallupsunder that story to find what you really need. NO ME TIME ON YOUR SCHEDULE2019 Global Emotions Report, which finds moreWhile the signs of energy depletion are fairlyHealthcare professionals hear it all the time: than half the American population experienc- universal, Dr. Ackrill continues, each individualyou cant take good care of your patients if you ing stress during the day; a figure considerablymight have his or her own special indicators.arent taking good care of yourself. higher than the world average of 35 percent.The key is to build awareness and createQuality self-care starts with carving out Of course, the occasional yoga class or walkhabits for refueling. It doesnt have to be a majortime in your busy schedule for things that you on your lunch break isnt going to alleviate alloverhaul. Every tiny tweak you make in yourwant to do, according to Wellness Force, a the stress in your life. But these types of activ- day can add up to a happier, smarter, healthierglobal collective designed to help individuals ities are a good start. Failing to find time, oryou, she says, urging the overstressed to buildimprove their physical and mental health. make time, to spend on yourself is critical toyour own dashboard for physical, mental, emo- Does a little me time ever make it onto the maintaining not only your health, but yourtional and spiritual energy and having a strat- to-do list? How about your online calendar. sanity. With this in mind, we share some tipsegy session with yourself to give self-care itsIs relaxing bath with a magazine and some ISTOCKon how to spot the signs that youre in need ofproper place in your life. lavender essential oil on there? Probably not.www.elitecme.com |2020| SELF CARE GUIDE 15'