by Sheila Johnson

Image by Vector/Akarawut Lohacharoen

Finding a self-care strategy that works for you can be tough, but it’s especially challenging for introverts. Introverts tend to thrive in solitude and find social interaction draining. However, don’t think that just because you’re an introvert you’re automatically guaranteed to be good at self-care – it’s something that takes practice and dedication. Here are some tips for developing a customized self-care routine that works for introverts, shared with you below by Center for the Advancement of Therapeutic Arts.

Set Aside Regular Time For Solitude

Many people often feel guilty when they take time for themselves, but it is important to remember that solitude can be just as beneficial as socializing. Research has shown that time alone can improve mood, increase creativity, and enhance problem-solving skills. By prioritizing regular periods of solitude, individuals can recharge their batteries and improve their overall well-being without feeling guilty about it.

Benefits of Mindful Breathing Meditation

Mindfulness meditation and deep breathing exercises are great ways to reduce stress and anxiety. They also don’t require any special equipment or space, making them perfect for introverts who prefer the comfort of their own home. Many meditation apps exist, with guided meditation exercises ranging from just a few minutes to several hours. These practices help you connect with your inner self, and create a greater sense of grounding.

Consider Online Degree Programs

Education is considered as important as self-care since it provides individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in life. However, individuals with social anxiety may find it challenging to pursue traditional in-person education. Fortunately, online degree programs are now available as an alternative for such individuals. With numerous accredited institutions offering a vast range of degrees in various fields, online education can prove to be an excellent option for introverts with social anxiety. To learn more about this option, it’s advisable to check it out for more info.

Create a Cozy Space at Home

Create a comfortable space at home where you can recharge without interruption. This could be as simple as investing in some fuzzy blankets and comfortable pillows, or it may involve bringing in natural lighting, soft music, or scented candles. Consider incorporating your favorite colors and objects as well.

Healthy Eating and Staying Hydrated

A well-nourished body and mind are more resilient to daily stressors. Make sure to prioritize healthy eating and staying hydrated. This means avoiding processed foods and consuming plenty of fresh produce, lean proteins, and healthy fats that can be acquired through meals that can be cooked at home and delivered. Make sure to drink plenty of water, as dehydration can cause fatigue and exacerbate anxiety-related symptoms.

Develop Self-Compassion

It’s important to practice self-compassion, especially when it comes to self-care. For introverts, this can be even more challenging, as social anxiety can make it difficult to ask for help or let others into your world. Practice self-compassion by acknowledging your feelings and thoughts without judgment, and give yourself the same kindness and understanding you would extend to someone else.

Look for Help

If you’re struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, don’t despair. There are rehabilitation centers in New York City that can provide the help and support you need to overcome your addiction. These centers offer programs tailored to individuals recovering from substance abuse, offering a chance to break free from the insidious cycle of addiction and start a new chapter in life. Do some research online to find a facility that suits your needs and can help you address your specific addiction.

Developing a self-care strategy takes patience and self-reflection. Remember that self-care is a personal journey that takes courage, openness, and vulnerability. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and be gentle with yourself as you create a routine that works for you. By being proactive in developing a self-care plan and implementing it in daily life, introverts can improve their quality of life and reduce stress and anxiety.

Article by Sheila Johnson

How Caregivers Can Stay Healthy and Save Money

If you are a caregiver, you need to stay in tip-top shape to be strong and healthy enough to help those who need you the most. The good news is that you can live a positive lifestyle and save money all at once. Here are some tips and tactics on how to be healthy and stay on your budget.

Photo: kaylee-garrett-unsplash 

Practice Yoga and Meditation

There are many expensive pieces of workout equipment that you could buy to get the exercise that you need to excel at your job, but you can get your body in great shape at a fraction of the cost by practicing yoga and meditation. Insider explains that yoga is great because it helps your body to stretch in ways that you don’t experience otherwise. Also, it allows you to be with your thoughts to ease your mental health. You can take a yoga class or go to the park and stretch out in the sunlight.

Get Enough Sleep

You can pair your yoga with a good night of sleep. The Sleep Foundation explains that, when you get enough shuteye, your body repairs itself from the stresses of the day. Plus, you rest your mind without even knowing it, so you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on a new day. Try to get at least seven to nine hours of sleep every night.

Keep a Healthy Home

Keeping a healthy home can take some extra effort, but it’s sure to be worth it in the long run. To maintain the cleanliness of your home and keep germs at bay, you should make an effort to dust and vacuum regularly. Dusting surfaces such as furniture, counters, and window sills helps prevent dust mites from settling in. Vacuuming carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture gets rid of dirt, debris, and any microscopic pests that may have crept in. Make it a point to dust before you vacuum. This way, you’ll be able to vacuum any excess particles from dusting.

Consider the Financial Impact of Renting Versus Buying

You may also want to consider if your current living situation is financially sustainable. There are various advantages and disadvantages to owning a home versus renting one. If you are moving into a new less stable business venture, then renting might be a more financially wise choice. However, if adding a new side hustle will bring in substantially more money for you, then perhaps now is the time to consider buying.

Monetize Your Healthy Lifestyle With a Smart Business Plan

If you want to make some extra money to supplement the income you make as a caregiver, then consider turning your healthy lifestyle into a business. You could do anything from opening your own yoga studio to writing for a website that gives health tips to other caregivers.

If you choose to become an entrepreneur, it’s essential to create a detailed business plan. In this plan you will articulate every step of your company, including what you plan to sell or what service you intend to supply, how much money you will need to get started, what business structure you will use, how you will secure those funds, how many employees you may need, how you intend to market your services, and every other step along the way. Once you have this plan in writing, follow it to the letter until you reach success.

Next, don’t forget about marketing! Social media is a big help but you should also supplement this with some more tactile approaches, like brochures. These are great for informing potential customers about your business. If you aren’t sure how to get started, building a brochure is easy if you take advantage of these free templates.

It’s important that you understand that being a small business or a freelancer means carrying your own health insurance, which can be a financial challenge. If your caregiving job doesn’t provide insurance, see if you can get added to a parent’s or spouse’s policy. If that’s not an option, look into what your state created in response to the Affordable Care Act. Many of these programs make carrying your own insurance much more affordable.

You Can Save Money Just by Being Healthy

As a final point, consider that you can actually save a ton of money just by living a healthy lifestyle. As an example, you can choose to skip the expensive fast food restaurants and instead make a salad at home for half of the cost. Also, instead of paying for the expensive gym membership, you can instead take your workouts to the local park where you can hike, run, and powerwalk for free. Finally, if you live close enough to your job, you can ride your bike to work and save money on fuel. There are many great options to consider.

Find what Replenishes You

Being a caregiver takes a lot out of you. But, as you can see, there are many ways that they can still stay healthy and save money in the process. Practice self-care, from adopting yoga and meditation practices to keeping a healthy home. And if you need a more creative outlet, consider starting your own business. Everyone needs a good mixture of challenges, personal fulfillment, and self-care in their lives. Find your mixture and embrace it!

Being an entrepreneur is tough. You have a million things to do, and sometimes it feels as though there’s not enough time in the day to get everything done. Remember that taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your business — after all, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Here are some tips on how to make time for self-care as an entrepreneur.

Get Moving

One of the best ways to reduce stress and improve your overall well-being is to get moving: Everyday Health notes that exercise releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects. Plus, it gives you more energy and helps you sleep better at night. If going to the gym isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other options. A brisk walk around the block or working out at home are great options. Don’t forget about yoga, which can be a great way to get started on a daily exercise routine at home.

Relaxation Techniques

Healthline suggests trying some relaxation techniques when you’re feeling stressed. Deep breathing exercises can help you calm down and clear your head. Guided meditation is another great option for relaxation. A personal trainer or massage therapist can help you stay healthy and relaxed, two essential ingredients for success in business and life.

Time-Saving Tips to Improve Work-Life Balance

Automating specific tasks can help you save time and energy and help improve your work-life balance. For instance, an online invoicing system can help you create customized invoices quickly and easily without starting from scratch each time. You can also utilize accounting software to track your expenditures and profits. Another option is to use data visualization software that allows for quick and easy sharing across social media platforms, such as Facebook or Twitter.

Hiring Some Help

Finding the time or energy for self-care can be difficult with the demands of running a company. That’s where hiring some help can make a big difference. A virtual assistant or secretary can help with scheduling appointments and handling paperwork.

A social media manager can help take over some of your business’ online communication and marketing, giving you a break from staring at a screen all day.

Consider hiring a bookkeeper to keep track of your finances and maybe even housekeeping or lawn care service to help care for your home or office, giving you one less thing to worry about.

Adopt a Pet

Many people think of self-care as something that they have to do for themselves; however, taking care of a pet can also be a form of self-care. Pets provide companionship and unconditional love, which can help to reduce stress and anxiety. They can also provide a sense of purpose and routine, and taking care of a pet can help to boost self-esteem and confidence. And finally, simply spending time with a pet can help to lower blood pressure and promote relaxation.

If you’re planning to adopt a pet, take care to pet-proof your home and purchase high-quality pet care items. Before purchasing any pet products, consult unbiased sources for well-reviewed items that are safe for your pet.

Prioritize Self-Care

Taking care of yourself should be a priority, just like taking care of your business. Self-care is essential for entrepreneurs because it helps reduce stress, improve mood, increase energy levels, and promote better sleep patterns. Remember to stay active, learn how to relax, improve your work-life balance when you form an LLC, and outsource some of the more time-consuming tasks.

The Center for the Advancement of Therapeutic Arts offers in-depth training and continuing education for bodywork professionals. Sign up today!

Image via Pexels

by Sheila Johnson

photo by Pexels

Self-Care Practices For Busy Side-Hustlers

How do you start a side hustle and still make time for yourself? That’s a question many people have tried to answer in recent months as the popularity of gig work skyrockets, and while there isn’t one clear-cut way to practice self-care when you’re busy, there are some things you can do to make your days a little smoother. Getting organized and running things efficiently is crucial when you have two jobs; you can also look for items that will help you stay motivated when it comes to taking care of your body. Here are a few strategies from The Center for the Advancement of the Therapeutic Arts that you can use when you’re starting a side gig and need to practice self-care:

Lighten your load

When you have a lot on your plate, it’s important to look for ways to take some of the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on the areas that need your attention most. One easy way to accomplish this is to hire out smaller tasks to a freelancer. A virtual assistant can help you schedule appointments and meetings, return phone calls, and send out emails while you take care of more pressing matters. Take a look at a few job boards to look at your options for professional virtual assistants and make sure you read client reviews while taking note of their average pricing for services.

Make tasks easier

For those tasks that must

be completed by you, look for tools that will make the processes easier. These days there are myriad resources available for small business owners and freelancers who are taking a DIY approach to their work and need a little help; a cloud-based accounting system, for instance, is a great way to keep track of all your income and expenses when you have more than one job. You can also utilize social media tools to spread the word about your services. A Facebook ads maker provides a template that you can customize with your logo and other branding info, making it easier than ever to create an advertisement for your business. With the right tools, you can make your daily tasks simple and stress-free.

While reviewing what can be made easier, use this opportunity to get a jump on your end-of-year planning. Take a look at your business’s finances and get started on preparing for tax season. It’s also a good time to reevaluate your business’s goal and assess your team and staffing levels.

Get some sleep

Another great way to keep stress at bay is to get enough rest, but that can be tricky when you have a full schedule. Many who take on side hustles find that they have a hard time separating their work and personal lives, especially if some of that work is done at home. It’s important to have well-defined boundaries between professional time and relaxing time, and setting specific work hours can be a big help. You can also create a workspace at home that’s separate from living areas, and keep all work-related devices and paperwork there rather than allowing it into your resting space. Your bedroom can also be maximized for the best possible rest with comfortable bedding, a change in temperature, and light-blocking curtains or blinds.

It can be hard to get good rest, but it can often be even more difficult to remain active when your work leaves you tired at the end of the day. It’s important to get your heart rate up, however, so look for small ways you can get in some activity even when you’re busy. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, or utilize the early morning hours before work starts to practice a few yoga poses. Not only is yoga great for your muscles and joints, it can also help you start the day right with a mental health boost.

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Check out this article on the benefits of craniosacral therapy for mesothelioma patients

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