Fueling You First: A Dietitian’s Insight on Elevating Self-Care Priorities

Most of us can probably agree that we live in a world filled with responsibilities, demands, and many moving parts. Juggling multiple tasks and prioritizing self-care can be a challenge. What if I told you it's not just attainable but essential for your well-being?

My journey to embracing self-care wasn't always smooth. I had to learn to prioritize myself and integrate self-care into my life. It wasn't natural or easy in the beginning. I actually had to broaden my mindset about what self-care truly means. I had to embrace the benefits it brings. Throughout my own experience, I've come to understand that self-care is a practice that requires intentional effort and a shift in mindset.

This blog sheds light on developing a mindset that values self-care and offers practical tips to find balance in a busy schedule while making self-care more fulfilling and less overwhelming.

What does self-care truly mean?

Self-care may have various interpretations, with the most popular often involving self-pampering and relaxation. While there's nothing wrong with being pampered, my view of self-care goes much further than that.

Self-care, to me, is a journey of prioritizing my well-being despite the demands of daily life. It’s a daily practice of honoring and valuing myself without guilt, recognizing that it’s not selfish or indulgent but essential for my health. Prioritizing my well-being first helps me show up better for others. Self-care is about setting healthy boundaries between work, family, and the to-do list.

Caring for myself means choosing activities that fuel my body and mind and preserve my energy. These activities include preparing healthy meals, finding a quiet moment, getting restorative sleep, and moving my body, just to name a few.

By integrating self-care into my routine, it helped me reap great benefits – improved health, a sense of fulfillment, increased happiness.

In sharing my point of view, I hope to inspire others to view self-care from a broader perspective and start prioritizing self-care as well. Remember, you are just as important as anyone or anything else on your list of responsibilities. When we view self-care as a foundational aspect of health and well-being, we are more likely to prioritize activities that nourish and rejuvenate us, and overall improve quality of life.

How can you prioritize your daily tasks and make time for self-care?

If you're already prioritizing self-care, I commend you. However, if you're struggling to find time for yourself and feeling overwhelmed with adding another task of self-care to your daily schedule, below are steps to get you on a right track.

Let's face it, time and energy are limited each day. Therefore, creating a list of priorities can be incredibly useful.

One critical step is to prioritize self-care by including it in your daily list and dedicating time to care for yourself. I call it my non-negotiable step. Here are steps to a balanced day with self-care:

Step 1: Create a Comprehensive List.

Start by jotting down all your tasks from various areas of your life (work, personal, family, appointments, etc). You might want to consider creating your list the night before and completing it in the morning.

Step 2: Assess Your Time.

Be mindful of how long each task takes. If a task is too big, break it down into smaller parts and only do the components that can fit into today.

Step 3: Categorize Your Tasks.

I categorize tasks as “Must-Do,” “Would Like To,” and “If Time Allows,” but you can create your own names that resonate with you. Using your comprehensive list, add each task to one of the three categories (buckets).

 § Must-Do (Top Priorities): Pick your non-negotiable tasks that require immediate attention. Include self-care activities as they are essential for your well-being.

§ Would Like To (Secondary Priorities): List important tasks that can be adjusted or rescheduled if needed.

§ If Time Allows (Extra Priorities): Include tasks that can be done if you have time left once you’ve completed your other two categories.

 Step 4: Stay Flexible.

 Life doesn’t always go as planned. Stay open to adjustments in your schedule. Keep in mind that it’s important to prioritize self-care even when unexpected tasks come up.

By categorizing your priorities this way, you can manage your time effectively. This approach will help you stay organized, prioritize action items, create space for self-care, and foster greater balance and fulfillment in your life.

Make self-care non-negotiable!

Interested in learning more about prioritizing your health and achieving balance and empowerment through diet and lifestyle choices?

Begin your journey by completing a discovery call questionnaire here. Take the first step towards a healthier, more fulfilled life.