Make time for yourself
Brush your teeth at least twice a day
Take a shower on a regular basis
Get a massage
Get a pedicure or manicure (not just for the females out there…we all have hands, feet and nails that don’t like being neglected)
Meditate (on your own, with an app, on YouTube, in a class…)
Journal about your day. Check out my weekly journal prompts for inspiration.
Read anything. Nowadays no one reads anything so take some time to intentionally read a book, a blog, an article, anything.
Engage with others
Volunteer your time with your job, professional groups, community, church, friends, family etc. Doesn’t have to be a long-term commitment (unless you want it to be) but it could be as simple as volunteering to bake for the cookie sale, or to assist with carpool duties.
Make time for yourself and others. Simply put.
Avoid toxic people in real life and online.
Goof off when you can. You can do it alone, with your partner, kids, or friends.
Socialize on a regular basis. This may look like a more formal night out with friends, but it can also just be intentionally striking up a conversation with the individual checking you out at the grocery store.
Embrace health
What are you doing with your body? Make sure to exercise on a regular basis. This could be for 10 minutes or this could be for an hour. Just commit to sweating and understand that sweating doesn’t have to just happen at the gym. It can happen on a walk, mowing your lawn, washing the car, playing with your children, decluttering the basement, etc.
Be aware of what you are putting into your body. Not asking you to completely change your habits but just to bring awareness to what you put into your body on a regular basis. Do you eat fast food a lot? Do you have a tendency to pick the greasiest items on the menu when eating out? Are you getting enough nutrition from your foods for your body? Do you drink alcohol or do drugs? If so, how often? Educate yourself on the impacts these habits have on the body and your goals and if you are wanting to change your relationship with food, alcohol, drugs, etc. then find the right support and environment to do that in.
Drink water. Lots of water. All day, every day. Mayo clinic suggests that men drink 15.5 cups of water a day.
Get regular sleep. The average adult should sleep between 7-8 hoursa night.
Accept that bodily, mental, and emotional changes occur as you grow older.
Find passion and connection
Go home to your family, to your pet to your plants or to your couch. Setting appropriate boundaries with work is crucial self-care and vital to finding a good “work life flow”.
Learn to say “no” and set boundaries (and sticking to them) with yourself, at work, or in your relationships.
Pursue a new hobby or pick up a old one.
Know your burnout signs
Know stressors in your life and what to do when they pop up.Common stressors could be working long hours, discrimination, financial hardship, pleasing your partner, maintaining your household, etc.
Write a priority based ‘to do’ list to avoid getting overwhelmed by the demands of the daily grind.
Have a positive outlook on the situation at hand.
Identify and challenge your negative thinking patterns. This may be in the form of negative self-talk.
Ask for help. In a big way or a small way. Just reach out to someone for something.
Written by: Shannon Gonter, LPCC
Shannon Gonter, Professional Counseling in Louisville, KY
I specialize in working with men and young adults. I am passionate about my career and want to work with you to create positive change. I also strive to create a counseling environment where men and young adults can relate, feel heard, and find new solutions to their negative patterns. Some issues that I most commonly work with are stress, relationship issues, difficulty saying “no” to others, difficulties recognizing emotions and emotionally connecting to others, anger, and intimacy issues, among others.
The information and resources contained on this website are for informational purposes only and are not intended to assess, diagnose, or treat any medical and/or mental health disease or condition. The use of this website does not imply nor establish any type of therapist-client relationship. Furthermore, the information obtained from this site should not be considered a substitute for a thorough medical and/or mental health evaluation by an appropriately credentialed and licensed professional.