Busy is a virtue many enjoy – dealing with demanding bosses, taking care of our loved ones, and checking things off our to-do lists. The number of things vying for our time is endless. Some derive a sense of accomplishment from being on the go. When you cease to care for yourself, you will have little energy or motivation to care for others. Can you imagine having the number one thing on your to-do list is taking care of yourself – specifically in the form of restorative self-care? Your risk of frustration or burnout is diminished.

When we speak of self-care for the rest of this topic, think of restorative self-care. While self-care attends to maintaining your well-being, restorative self-care strives to look at all areas of your body, mind, and soul.

Before you protest that you couldn’t spare the time, let go of despair! Restorative self-care can be done in as little as a few minutes, although you certainly deserve more. Let’s dive into what self-care means, why it’s essential, and then we’ll help you make a plan to start putting yourself first.