You’re at your desk and there’s already a ton of work awaiting your attention. You desperately need more coffee to kick start your workday. The social media notifications are buzzing and calling you insistently. You get yourself some more coffee and start browsing your social media, promising yourself that it will only be for 5 minutes, just a quick check in, then move on to answering the emails and phone calls and looking at your agenda. You get caught up in the workday, emails, replies, calls, meetings, more social media, rush through lunch and your workday is over. You don’t know where your day went, it’s all a hazy blur. You also have a slight headache but want to go for a quick drink and some snacks with some colleagues.

It gets late and you trundle home dead tired and sleepy and crash on the bed, until your alarm wakes you up again, screaming for the third time.You drag yourself out…..

There’s got to be a better way!

In fact, there is. A lot of people have set routines of self-care which help them find balance in a crazy-hazy blurry world.

It starts with getting your priorities right. Ask yourself, “What is most important to me?” Often you will forget to put yourself at the top of the list. The equation is simple: No You = Nothing

You have to become your number one priority, so you can then follow up with the rest. There is often a fine and confusing line between being selfish and self-loving. Making yourself a priority in order to follow your life-purpose is showing love for yourself and humanity at large.This shift takes time, but brings immense Joy and satisfaction and increased well-being and levels of happiness. In short, taking care of yourself first is worth it in the long run.

So ask yourself, “What is one thing or set of things that I can do every day to take care of myself, before starting my workday?”

Outlined here are a few ideas:

1. Schedule “ME” slots into your day/workday: These are your most important appointments with a VIP. You can utilise the mornings and evening for these as well as brief moments throughout your workday.
2. Sleep: This is often overlooked by most. In fact there are proverbs that talk about sleep and rest being for the dead! The fact is that our body is the most beautiful piece of equipment that was ever created, it functions beautifully and requires nourishment and adequate rest and recharge to run at its optimal.The scientific benefits of sleep are innumerable. Adequate sleep without doubt, equates to better health, productivity, improved decision-making and more happiness. It detoxes the body and brain and allows for smooth functioning of all systems
3. Meditate: First thing in the morning and then preferably after work to wind down. People report amazing improvements in their productivity and serenity through meditation. There is no right and wrong way. Find what works best for you, it is a life-changing practice.
4. Exercise: Whether you’re a fanatic of your exercise regimen or more of a sedentary worker, there is no doubt regarding the benefits of movement.Sitting still is causing more havoc to our health than smoking! Our bodies were made for movement and move them we must. There is Joy in using our bodies for what they were designed to do. It can be something energetic or even a few good yoga stretches at the start of your day to be expanded upon later.
5. Create a morning routine: Take time for yourself in the morning. Allow yourself to enter the day with ease, so you will remain grounded, intentional, aware and present through it, no matter what. Again find what works best for you.
6. Sounds and music: If you’re like me, then the uplifting strains of music are your mainstay during the day. Sounds can relax or energise us, bring about happy memories or create nervousness. Our body responds to vibrations, we respond to sounds since we are inside our mother’s wombs. Find music that soothes your soul and beats that get you to concentrate, move or release stress.
7. Read: Read something inspirational or uplifting and do it as the first thing in the morning. Allow your brain to fix on something happy and wonderful instead of the news. There will be enough time for it during the rest of your day, if required.
8. Journal: I use this as part of my morning routine. You can do it anytime. A journal can be used to annotate appointments, dreams, plans, golas, feelings, poems, thoughts. Journals can be theme based or generic. Again, there is something powerful in putting pen onto paper and forming the words by hand, adding delightful squiggles and doodles to it. Some people prefer digital journals. Use what works best for you.
9. Nourishment: Starting the day with great fuel in your tank is helps keep your blood sugar levels stable and fuels your productivity throughout the day. Get creative in your meals and enjoy the time spent prepping them as well as consuming them mindfully.
10. Your relationships are your lifelines: Family and supportive friends are your biggest assets. Nourish these relationships. Take time out for family and friends, even during busy workdays. Simply connecting for a few minutes and talking about the good things that are happening in your lives can help turn around your day and keep things in perspective.
11. Breathe, well: Learn deep breathing techniques. There is nothing better to detox and help you get in touch with yourself. The yogic ancients knew their stuff!
12. Don’t take yourself too seriously: Remember, you and I are simply a bunch of cells held together in a package!
13. Remember to live and act from a place of Love, starting with yourself.

“Self-love, my liege, is not so vile a sin, as self-neglecting.” — William Shakespeare