Self care in busy times

This week, I have felt so frazzled. I am feeling pressure from so many different angles: uni assignments, multiple work commitments, volunteering, life admin, family and friends. I feel a bit like a zombie barely getting through each day. My brain is overloaded.

Now is probably a good time to revisit some useful strategies for taking care of myself so that I don't get burnt out. Here are some things I find useful: 

1. Prioritising my body. When I'm busy, I struggle to find time to organise nutritious food and get a good amount of rest. If I forget to look after my body, I usually end up hitting a wall and getting sick. So I need to make an effort to listen to what my body is telling me. When I’m hungry, I prioritise eating something. When I’m exhausted, I prioritise getting some rest.
2. Saying no to things I don't have time for. I find it really hard to say no to people, especially when it's something I really want to be part of, like a salsa class my friend invited me to join. I have to be realistic about the limits of my time and energy. If I say yes to everything and everyone, I will end up getting overwhelmed and disappointing people. Maybe that salsa course will just have to wait. 
3. Accepting imperfection. When I have a lot on, I have to make an effort to let go of some things that would normally bother me. Maybe the house will be messy for a little while, and my assignments won't be as good as I'd like them to be. Sometimes it’s just about getting through something, rather than doing the best job in the world.  
4. Doing the things that make me feel better and not feeling guilty about it. Yesterday, I spent some time tidying my room, then I lit some candles and sat down with some quiet music and a cup of tea. Taking the time to make a peaceful space for myself made me feel so much better and ready to tackle the tasks that I had ahead of me.  
5. Leaning on others. Sometimes, it’s not all about self-care. We also have to look after each other in busy times: our families, our friends, and the people we work with. Looking after myself is important, but I also try to remind myself that it's okay to get support from others too.

Hopefully, I can use these strategies to feel a little less frazzled soon!