Taking time to look after yourself is vital and necessary and not an indulgent treat.

Many of us have a hard time balancing taking care of ourselves with taking care of our daily responsibilities. For people with children, full time jobs, this can be especially challenging, but even people without children have obligations to care for extended family, partners, pets, and the home in which they live. It is essential to their well-being that we take care of ourselves first and are then able to look after and support others around us on a daily basis.

It is easy to get caught up in the demands of home life because they never stop. There is always one more thing you can do, another dish in the sink, the lounge needs cleaning, children who need to be somewhere. If you don't set some boundaries, you will find yourself on an endless journey of housework and doing endless jobs for others. Eventually, you will probably feel drained with no reserves to fall back on. Instead of waiting for this to happen, integrate self-care into your daily schedule. A five minute break to sit still with a herbal tea, a mindful moment to be present and connected.

Try this exercise for a 5 minute self care boost

• Make yourself a warming herbal tea and set aside to infuse for 5 minutes.
• Sit down comfortably with your back against a chair and your feet on the floor.
• Soften your face, shoulders, hips, knees and feet. We carry tension in our bodies. become aware where you are carrying yours.
• Take a nice easy breath in through the nose and out through the nose. As you are breathing imagine you are breathing into your heart, and exhaling from your heart. Continue this easy breath, breathing into the heart and out from the heart.
• What can you hear? Maybe the ticking of a nearby clock? The birds outside.
• Take 5 minutes to sit in this position and breathe consciously.
• Open your eyes after 5 minutes, how do you feel? Rested, grounded?
• Take a sip of your herbal tea and smile ….

At times when you feel overwhelmed or too busy, retreating inward energetically can be a lifesaver. You can always find five minutes to close your eyes and breathe consciously. You may even be able to meditate.
 

In addition, scheduling a longer interval of time, perhaps on a weekly basis, can really help to restore your energy. A long soak in the bath with an essential oil and soothing candles and a walk in nature can energise you, so in turn you will have enough energy to take care of your family.