Life’s so busy in 2022. It moves at this non stop, on the go, frantic pace, and as women that pace rarely includes time to focus on purely ourselves.
We are pleasers, looking after everybody else first, making sure those around us are ok. But this is often at the expense of our own mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. Well, not anymore! This busy 21st century woman has decided that it’s time to prioritise. And in the frenetic nature of our day to day lives, that is going to take more than just a bubble bath and some scented soy candles.
It’s time to get serious. A long, hot soak in the tub is lovely, but ten minutes afterwards your normal routine returns and the stresses of the modern woman are back. So it’s time to think long term, and I’m going to need more than a papaya scented candle and a glass of bubbles to really change my life.
So I asked myself…..
Have I nourished my body?
How many of us run out the door without having taken the time to properly nourish our bodies in preparation for, what will most likely be, another busy day? It’s normal and extremely common for the women of today to start the day without having eaten more than a quick bite (if that), and a good, strong caffeine hit. Lunch is usually eaten on the run and is more than likely something that can be accessed and eaten quickly, without much thought for nutritional content. I get it, you are busy! But in the long run your body and mind will love you more, if you take care of it in the present. The number one tip, Be Prepared! If you can plan out your week and get sorted the night before, the chances of you eating meals that are both delicious and nutritious are much higher. Nutrition Australia has some amazing ideas and fact sheets on their website, including making a little extra dinner to have for lunch the next day and ensuring that you pack at least one main meal item so that you are not tempted by fast food options at lunch time.
Have I nourished my mind?
When it comes to food and nutrition, the answer is fairly standard. We all need to eat right, and eating right is fairly similar for everyone. However, when it comes to nourishing your mind, it can be as different as night and day. You might love to curl up in the solitary confinement of your doona and read, where as your best friend loves a good heated discussion about news topics and current affairs. What ever stimulates your mind and gets those brainy cogs turning….do it. Keeping your mind engaged in whatever it is that nourishes you, is great for both your mental and emotional wellbeing. It brings with it self esteem, self worth and mental stimulation. It can also be the down time that your mind needs. After long days at work, sometimes nourishing your mind can mean switching off, and on many days, that can be just as important!
Have I nourished my spirit?
Again, completely individual. From Yoga to Tai Chi, from religion to meditation. Whatever it is that floats your spiritual boat, it is so important for the modern woman to take the time to nourish her soul and spirit. Life is demanding for a woman, with people pulling you in every which way, and demanding of your time, your mind and your emotions. Taking time to stop and chill is essential and without it, many women can go into burn out mode. Be it journaling, prayer, yoga or just some time out with your favourite playlist, contemplative practices can have so many benefits for your mind, body and overall outlook on life. They have been found to reduce inflammation and stress, decrease depression and anxiety, lower bloody pressure and increase general feelings of wellbeing.
So take that time today. Ask yourself, Have I nourished my body, my mind and my spirit….and if not, what am I going to do about it. I don’t know about you, but I find being a woman in 2018 demanding and sometimes, extremely draining. And after asking myself these three questions, I have realised……It’s time that I started looking after myself.
Written by Georgie Trenwith for Her World
Yes! and finally an article not telling me to go have a bath and light a candle. ha ha. I swear this is why I get so many candles and bath products from people every Christmas and Birthday. I love the idea of nourishing my mind. I don’t read a lot, except for online mags and blogs. But I should really look to read more physical books, so I’m off to look at some books 🙂 I do always have breakfast, but I’m not so good at really thinking about it. What am I put into my body, usually the same cereal every single day. I’m too busy from sun up til sun down to stop and think about anything I put in my body and reading this is quite sobering because I do put everything first before me.
Definitely important to make more time for yourself but always easier said than done. Including these things on your ‘to do list’ I think is important so that you can prioritise doing things for yourself as well otherwise it can get missed off.
I love a soak in the bath it frees your mind up so you don’t think about anything else but like this article reads I have to get out and carry on with what I was doing before I had my bath. I try and plan our meals but this does not all ways work out either. I think most of us need to think about nourishing our mind, body and spirits a bit more but it is hard with families.
Great read. I always bath and have melts and love my bath bombs and smellys but never Really focus of nourishing the way I think. This was a great read to make you realise what you need to focus on.
Hmmmmm no probably not – I really do need to start nourishing I think! I wonder why I’m feeling just not quite “right” at the moment, I need to do some me time and things and start looking after myself. I have physical disabilities, I work fulltime and I have a 5 year old and I’m not that far off 50!! Definitely more me, me, me!!!