Down-regulating and resting
I always find myself overwhelmed with life. We have so many roles, responsibilities, and relationships calling for our attention. To look after myself in a busy life I try to slow down the pace 💖. It is important to relax, listen to music, watch a movies, do a facemark or your favourite hobby.
Can anyone relate and how do you guys look after yourself in a busy life?
Comments
I can totally relate! Life can be so overwhelming and it’s great to see that you’re looking after yourself. It can be so easy for us to forget to take care of ourselves when things get hard, but it is very important that we do so!
Sometimes all I want to do is get on a plane and live somewhere quiet and peaceful, away from all my responsibilities. But I can’t do that so I try to look after myself as much as I can by reminding myself to slow down and that it’s okay to breathe. When life gets too overwhelming, I like to go to the beach and just sit there and listen to the waves (hence my username!). I find that the beach really calms me down because the ocean is so vast that suddenly my problems seem smaller and more manageable. After that, I feel refreshed and ready to face my responsibilities again.
I also like to write down my thoughts and feelings. There are times when my mind goes too fast and I feel too much and the only way that I can calm down is through writing them down and organise my thoughts. What’s great is that not only it helps me during the time it was happening, but it also helps me the next time that I go through it. By this, I mean having a record of what I felt and thought about something before helps me understand why I’m feeling that way again and what steps I took to make it better.
Navigating life is difficult but I know that everyone is trying their best. It’s okay to breathe, relax, and just exist 😊💙
I completely agree with the importance of practicing self-care, especially when so much is going on for us. As @Matcha_Toad mentioned, we can't pour from an empty cup so it's important that we take time for ourselves in order to be able to show up for other people.
Something I find helpful is jotting down things I'd like to do for myself in my calendar. This way it's something I can look forward to and hold myself accountable to achieving. However, it's important to be kind to yourself when this isn't always possible.
The things that work best for me are the small things, as they feel so much more manageable. For example, I enjoy going on walks outside, doing mind puzzles, and visiting my favourite cafe.
I wish everyone in the ReachOut community the very best with their self-care journey! 💛
Life can certainly become overwhelming at times! It is so important that we take care of ourselves so that we cannot only show up for ourselves and our loved ones but also fulfil all of our responsibilities and roles. It can be really hard sometimes to allow ourselves to take a break/show ourselves some self-care, especially when we have so many responsibilities or even have caring responsibilities. So for anyone reading this post and comment, I do hope you take it as a sign to allow yourself to rest and do something you enjoy.
There's the saying that you can't pour from an empty cup, which is so true! So I like to ask myself and others what at least one thing can fill your cup? What is something that brings you joy and comfort?
For me, I can identify a lot of things that fill my cup. I find listening to music and baking makes me feel great! I also enjoy playing video games, watching YouTube videos and tending to my plants.
It's lovely to see already what other people do for self-care here!
- Matcha_Toad 🐸🍵💚
Life can be so hectic sometimes 🤯
I think time to myself is super important, and making time for the things I want to do. I've had a busy couple of years and now that it's starting to settle down I'm finding more time to do the things I enjoy - and time to take a holiday too because I need a week of doing absolutely nothing work-related ☺️
I think it's important to also remember that it's ok to step back from some responsibilities when things are getting too much. Like you said, slowing down the pace is also really helpful and maybe removing some things off my plate 🍽 that way I can focus more on myself and pick them back up when I'm feeling better.
You also mentioned self-care, which I agree with! It's important to look after ourselves and do things that make us feel good / regenerated (such as listening to music, facemasks, movies, etc...) Love a good face mask 🌈
I completely relate to feeling overwhelmed by all the responsibilities and expectations that life throws our way. It’s so easy to get caught up in the rush of everything that we forget to take care of ourselves. Slowing down is such a great way to find balance, and I love that you incorporate small but meaningful self-care activities into your routine! 💖
For me, I’ve found that setting non-negotiable “me-time” moments helps. For example, I always start my morning with a cup of tea and a few pages of a book before checking my phone—it helps me set a calmer tone for the day. I also like to take short walks in the evening to clear my mind, especially when I’ve been stuck inside all day. And on particularly stressful days, I’ll put my phone on Do Not Disturb and do something creative, like journaling or doodling, to process my thoughts.
I also try to plan small rewards throughout the week, like treating myself to my favourite snack after a long day or watching an episode of a comfort show before bed. Those little things remind me that rest and joy are just as important as productivity.
It’s amazing that you’re prioritizing self-care despite a busy life—sometimes, it’s the small, intentional moments that make all the difference. 💕 How do you remind yourself to slow down when things feel overwhelming?
I can definitely relate! We have so many responsibilities everyday but sometimes we just don't feel like fulfilling them because we need to take care of ourself for a second. It's so great that you're able to see that and and you take some time to engage in self-care when you need to.
I like to take care of myself by rewarding myself when I complete all of my days' tasks. This might be with a sweet treat, some time to relax and watch 'Friends', walking my dog, or reading a book. If I am too overwhelmed to wait until my tasks are finished, I don't hesitate to take a break between my tasks and engage in these activities or even just take a moment of quiet to breathe. It is definitely best that I am in the correct mindset before I continue with my duties.
Keep prioritising your wellbeing and I wish you all the best!
Thank you so much for using Reach Out's Forums.
I can definitely relate, and I'm sure a lot of other people can too. It's a really tough balance between work, studies, and a social life - or any combination of these, in addition to taking care of yourself.
I agree with what you said about doing pleasant activities like movies.
Definitely making time for yourself and creating schedules to balance life and work can be really helpful - as too much work can negatively contribute to mental health.
Wishing you all the best x
Firstly, I love your username— it is so cute.
And yes, I totally relate. In the chaos of everyday life, it is so important to find those little things that bring us joy. For me, I really love listening to music — I have different playlists for different moods, so no matter what I am feeling, there is always something that fits. I also love writing (really, anything creative) because it is such a great way to express myself and experiment with different styles. It feels productive while still being fun.
I used to read a lot when I was younger, and lately, I have fallen back in love with it. My taste has changed a lot since then, but exploring new books and figuring out what I enjoy now has been such a great way to unwind. Knowing that at the end of a long day, I can immerse myself in another world, even for a little while, makes everything feel a bit lighter.
Thank you for this wonderful post!
I can absolutely relate to this! Life can feel like a constant balancing act with all the roles and responsibilities we juggle. It’s not easy! Our mental an physical wellbeing can often be put aside when things get busy. It’s so important to take a step back and prioritise moments of calm and self-care.
For me, I try to make time for daily moments of mindfulness, and time I can step away from the busy world around me. I do things like going for a walk in nature, sitting outside in the sun, going to the beach, listening to music, having a bath or doing some yoga and stretching.
You’re doing great, and taking time for yourself is such an important step you are taking. I also love the idea of finding a hobby you love. Some of my favourites which make me happy are cooking, painting and playing my guitar.
I wish you all the best 💛
