Karen Brown Tyson

Category: Relaxed Productivity

Why Self-Care is Important in Protecting Your Mental Wellbeing

Have you ever found yourself so caught up in pursuing success that you neglect your well-being? I only focused on work when I started my career 30 years ago. Work assignments consumed nights, weekends, and holidays. Looking back, I often saw self-care as a luxury rather than a necessity.

No more.

What if I told you that prioritizing self-care could improve your mental wellness and overall quality of life? In this post, we’ll explore the dangers of neglecting self-care, the benefits of prioritizing it, and provide actionable steps to make it a daily habit. Let’s dive in and learn how to prioritize your mental well-being.

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase using the links.

The dangers of neglecting yourself

Neglecting self-care can have severe consequences on your mental and physical health. When you prioritize work or other responsibilities over your well-being, you can experience burnout, increased stress, and even physical illness.

In extreme cases, neglecting mental well-being can lead to anxiety disorders and depression. It didn’t take me long to recognize the dangers of my behavior and take action to prioritize self-care in my daily routine.

Doing so can improve your overall quality of life and prevent these adverse outcomes. Let’s explore the benefits of prioritizing self-care and how to make it a habit in your daily life.

The benefits of prioritizing self-care

Prioritizing self-care may seem like a luxury, but it’s a necessary investment in your overall well-being. By prioritizing mental well-being, I experienced various benefits that positively impacted my mental, emotional, and physical health.

For starters, I felt less stressed and more energized, allowing me to tackle challenges with a clear mind and stronger resilience. Additionally, prioritizing self-care helped me get a better night’s sleep, improved my immune function, and increased my productivity, all contributing to a happier and more fulfilling life.

According to the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, self-care has several benefits. Some of these include enhanced self-confidence (64%), increased productivity (67%), and happiness (71%).

Finally, I learned that by taking care of myself first, I was better equipped to handle the demands of daily life and enjoy the moments that matter most.

Bottom line: Creating a self-care plan helped me make self-care a habit.

Need help keeping it all together? Add a Wellness Journal to your life.

Creating a plan that works for you

To truly make self-care a priority, it’s important to create a plan that works for you. This personal plan should consider the specific activities and practices that promote your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. The key is to make it a habit, not just a once-in-a-while indulgence.

Start by identifying activities that make you feel good. For me, this includes working out, journaling, reading, and spending time with loved ones. Once I identified my go-to practices, I scheduled them into my calendar with any other appointments. I treat them as non-negotiable time slots that I don’t cancel or reschedule.

In addition to your go-to self-care practices, having a list of minor activities you can squeeze into your day can be helpful. These include taking a quick walk, listening to your favorite music, or indulging in a favorite snack. By having various options, you can incorporate self-care into your daily routine in a way that works for you.

Creating a plan that works for you takes some trial and error. Be patient with yourself, and remember that it’s okay to adjust your plan as needed. The key is to make it a habit that feels natural and essential to your overall well-being.

Incorporating self-care into your daily routine doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. In the next section, we’ll explore simple ways to make self-care a part of your everyday life.

Incorporating self-care into your daily routine

Creating a self-care plan is a great start, but it’s important to incorporate it into your daily routine to see and feel the benefits. By making self-care a habit, you’ll be able to provide yourself with the care and attention you need to thrive.

A straightforward way to incorporate self-care into your daily routine is to start your day with a few moments of silence and solitude. I like starting my day by reading, journaling, or taking deep breaths. Also, I like to pray and connect with God to set intentions for the day, which makes a big difference in how I approach the rest of my day.

Another way to prioritize it throughout the day is to schedule breaks and time for yourself. Getting caught up in work or other obligations can be easy, but taking regular breaks to stretch, walk, or even take a few minutes to breathe can help you recharge and refocus.

Incorporating self-care into your daily routine can also mean setting boundaries and saying no when necessary. It’s important to remember that focusing on your mental well-being isn’t selfish and that taking care of yourself is essential to show up fully for others. By setting boundaries and prioritizing your needs, you’ll be better equipped to handle the demands of daily life.

Remember, incorporating self-care into your daily routine doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. By starting small and finding what works for you, you can make self-care a natural and essential part of your life.

Prioritize mental well-being. Be sure to start taking care of yourself before you’re burnt out. Neglecting our mental well-being can have dangerous consequences for us and those around us. By making self-care a daily habit, we can benefit from improved mental wellness and overall quality of life. Take action today by creating a personalized self-care plan and incorporating it into your daily routine.

March 30, 2023
Mental Wellness Check: 7 Effective Ways to Clear Your Mind Fast

My mind is racing from the time I get up until I go to bed. Unfortunately, my mind sometimes feels weary during my busiest days. Instead of taking a break to practice mental wellness, I often push through the day.

Thankfully, it didn’t take long to see how this habit could lead to an unhealthy pathway for my mental health.

Does my business need me? Yes.

👉🏽 But so does my well-being.

👉🏽 So does my mental health.

👉🏽 And so does my family.

As a result, I proactively look for opportunities to practice mental wellness. According to the Global Wellness Institute, mental wellness is “an internal resource that helps us think, feel, connect and function; it is an active process that helps us to build resilience, grow and flourish.”

In this post, I outline seven effective ways I practice mental wellness to clear my mind fast. If there’s something that you do that’s not on the list, please share it in the comments.

Practice deep breathing exercises for a few minutes.

One of the most powerful ways to relax is through breathing exercises. Taking a few moments each day to sit down, close my eyes, and focus on my breath helps bring clarity and calmness back into my life. I don’t need any special equipment or complicated instructions. All I need is a quiet place to sit comfortably for 10 minutes. This simple practice can help ease stress, improve concentration, and enhance physical health.

Take walks and exercise.

Getting away from my desk and taking a quick walk or doing some physical exercise gives my mind a much-needed break. Doing something physical helps release endorphins, boosting your mood and making you feel better. Plus, getting outside and enjoying nature is always beneficial for mental health.

Listen to calming music or nature sounds.

Music has been known to have healing qualities. It helps calm my mind, soothe my soul, and makes me feel better mentally. Whether it’s classical or instrumental songs, put on some headphones and let the sounds relax you.

Journal my thoughts and worries to clear my mind.

Writing down thoughts and feelings in a journal helps me process my emotions. Sometimes I write one sentence, and other times; I write three pages. Ultimately, writing down whatever comes into my head is incredibly therapeutic.

Take time out for biblical meditation.

For me, there’s nothing like taking a few minutes to meditate on God’s Word through biblical meditation. By taking extra moments out of each day to reflect more deeply upon Scripture, we can open our eyes wider and hearts deeper, allowing us better access to what is being said between verses.

Write positive affirmations.

Creating positive affirmations is another great way to clear your mind. For example, I write sentences that promote positive thinking, such as “I am capable” or “I am worthy.” Then, I read them aloud several times throughout the day, as they help boost my self-confidence while also helping me break free from any negative thought patterns trying to limit my potential.

Exercise gratitude.

Gratitude is one of the most powerful tools we can use to refresh our minds – it increases happiness, reduces anxiety, strengthens relationships, and encourages us to be kinder toward ourselves and others around us. There are many ways to approach this, but I like to write down three things I’m grateful for daily – this helps shift my focus toward the positive aspects of life instead of letting myself get bogged down by worries or stresses.

Self-care is important whether you work for yourself, take care of a busy household, or go into an office daily. I’m offering some FREE self-care worksheets to help you take a few moments for yourself.

It took me a while to recognize the importance of practicing mental wellness to remain focused, creative, and balanced. For this reason, I’ve prioritized creating time for rest, relaxation, and self-care every day.

I have learned that taking mental breaks can bring real, lasting balance leading to better health and improved relationships. I’m practicing mental wellness when I take breaks from my daily activities to journal, exercise, or listen to music.

How do you practice mental wellness? Let me know in the comments below.

Together let’s work on creating a path of emotional well-being that can guide us on our journey of success while keeping balance and harmony in today’s busy world.

March 21, 2023
Relaxed Productivity: How to Add Calm and Focus to Your Side Gig
Starting a new side gig is exciting. You wake up every day eager and focused on getting your product or service into the hands of new customers. But as time moves on, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by everything you have to do. Then, before you know it, you feel frazzled as you start to lose focus.

But what if I told you there are ways to make your side gig less stressful and more productive? I will share some tips for relaxing while you work in this post. By incorporating these techniques into your routine, you’ll find it easier to stay focused and get things done. So let’s dive in!

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase using the links.

Schedule regular brain dumps

When I try to hold all of my thoughts, ideas, and tasks inside my mind, I start to feel overwhelmed. So to add calm to my day, I like to do brain dumps. Brain dumping is a technique that helps you clear your mind and organize thoughts. It makes it easier to focus on things that need to be done instead of just letting everything bounce around in your head without any organization or structure. I use a brain dump list to get everything out of my head and organize it based on what’s important. Depending on the project, I use different notebooks, flipchart paper, PowerSheets, or Workflowy. For your brain dump sessions, find what works for you.

Identify your priorities weekly

In his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey popularized a theory from President Eisenhower called “The Decision Matrix.” This matrix consists of four boxes that describe different types or levels of importance and urgency. The quadrants are — 1) Urgent/Important; 2) Not urgent but important; 3) Urgent/Not Important; and 4) Not Urgent and Not Important. These labels can help solopreneurs, and creative entrepreneurs identify what they should think about, not waste unnecessary thought or energy.

When I am overwhelmed, I start prioritizing my to-do list with the method below:
- Urgent & Important = tasks I need to do this week, like client assignments or get a post ready for next week.
- Urgent & Not Important = things I can delegate, such as trips to the office supply store.
- Not Urgent but Important = these are important things, but they do not need to be done now. Some examples include buying a gift or having lunch to catch up with a friend.
- Not Urgent & Not Important = these are things that can be deleted or scheduled for later.
Once I understand what’s on my to-do list, I then decide what are the three most important tasks I need to work on each day. Since I get up early every day, I like to knock out my three most important tasks first. Now, if you work all night, say from 11 p.m. until 7 a.m., you may not be able to tackle your three most important tasks until the afternoon or whenever you wake up. The point is that you divide and conquer. Prioritize your to-do list by identifying the top three tasks you need to accomplish each day based on urgency and importance. Here are a few planning worksheets to get you started.

Set boundaries between your day job and your side gig

Stress can creep in if you have a full-time job and a side gig. As much as possible, avoid letting your full-time job collide with your side gig. For example, don’t work on tasks for your side gig when you’re scheduled to work your 9-to-5 job. Doing so will only add stress to your day. Instead, schedule time on your calendar where you can work on your business without feeling guilty about neglecting your day job.

Make time to see the positive in each day

Waking up and going to bed with what seems like tons of work can feel overwhelming. However, studies show that if we make an effort to see the positive each day, we can develop an optimistic outlook. One of the things I like to do to stay positive is write in my gratitude journal. A gratitude journal is a great way to reflect on people you appreciate or ways your day was unique and special. I like to reflect on the things I’m grateful for and any accomplishments made throughout the day.

Take a brain break from your side gig

Managing a side gig takes a lot of time and energy. In addition to running a business, you might be in a season of your life that’s very busy – maybe you have a new baby, or perhaps you’re caring for a family member – be kind to yourself. Pick one day per week to take a break from your day job and your side gig. Give your brain a chance to rest and recharge each week. Go to a movie, read a book, or try a new spin class at the gym. Then, when you return to your side gig, you will feel refreshed.
January 27, 2022
How Being a More Productive Writer Starts With Being Relaxed
Photo from Adobe

Being a productive writer is all about finding the right balance. If you’re too relaxed, you’ll never get anything done. But if you’re too stressed, you won’t be able to focus on your work. So how can you find that sweet spot and become more productive? It starts with relaxing to focus better. Check out these tips to help get started.

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase using the links.

Take regular breaks

Being a writer means being creative and imaginative, but it also means being productive. When you’re relaxed, your mind can think freely and develop great ideas. Relaxation helps increase productivity because it gives the brain time to process different thoughts.

To be more productive as a writer, try regular breaks when writing:
- Close your eyes for 5, 10, or 15 minutes
- Go for a walk outside or on a treadmill
- Listen to a podcast
If you can’t relax by yourself, then find someone who will help you out. Remember that relaxation is vital if you want to be at your best when you return to your writing.

Make slowing down part of your routine

We all live and work in fast-paced environments, making it hard to slow down. For example, when I worked in corporate, I remember days that started at 5 a.m. and ended at 10 or 11 p.m.

To slow down, start with things you are already doing:
- Take a long bath or shower
- Plant flowers or vegetables
- Listen to music
- Read 5 or 10 pages of a book
You can find the peace and relaxation you need to return to your writing by slowing down.

Take a nap

Taking a nap is one of the best things you can do for your body and mind. It gives your brain a chance to regenerate by shutting off your conscious thoughts. In his book, Free to Focus, Michael Hyatt calls naps one of his secret productivity weapons. Hyatt describes how he takes a 20 or 30-minute nap every day after lunch.

I love this idea. When I worked full-time in my corporate job, I never dreamed of taking a nap on the days when I worked from home. But now that I run my own business, I embrace the idea of taking a nap when I need one. My days are long. By 4:30 a.m. I am up and moving. My morning routine includes devotional time with God, at least one workout, working on my latest writing project, and client writing assignments. Naps help to recharge my brain so I can continue my work. Sometimes, by the time I reach noon, I need a 10-minute nap.

Get creative in the kitchen

Mental health experts believe that cooking can help you manage stress by giving your mind a break to focus on something new and unfamiliar. Through cooking, we can turn our attention away from the outside world.

In addition to cooking, I find that watching cooking and baking shows helps me relax. In the beginning, my go-to cooking show was the Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten. In addition to her soothing, calm voice, Garten made dishes I could see myself cooking. My latest stress-reducing favorite: School of Chocolate. Watching pastry chef Amaury Guichon create works of art out of chocolate is both fascinating and relaxing.
January 6, 2022