SAVOR SELF-CARE
Practical Tips
You have to make and take time for yourself , and the key is consistency . While it may include a facial or massage , proper self-care is about more than an annual spa day . It ’ s about healthy habits .
• Make promises to yourself and keep them . To help , schedule 10-15-minute breaks in your day using your preferred digital calendar method and include an alarm to remind yourself .
• Set self-care appointments ( nail services , therapy sessions , basic check-ups and more ) as far in advance as possible and also immediately add them to your calendar .
• Block off an entire weekend every month with nothing that must be done .
• Go to bed at the same time every night .
• Keep a food journal and note how different items you eat make you feel — Do you have more or less energy ? Do you feel satisfied or still hungry ( and hangry )? — so you can make more informed decisions when fueling your body .
GET ORGANIZED
Practical Tips
Organization requires planning and time management .
• Even if you rely on a digital calendar , consider getting a large desk calendar , too . At the start of each month , write each day ’ s top to-dos and scheduled appointments ( including those selfcare items !) in its large daily blocks . It gives you a big-picture view of your life so you can see where you ’ re over-scheduled ( and remedy it or at least get prepared ) and where there are free spaces you can take advantage of and better spread the load .
• Make the most of whatever hour or two each week that ’ s quieter for you and schedule it as time to return lower-priority emails and check over the upcoming week ’ s schedule to get ready or make needed adjustments .
SET BOUNDARIES
Practical Tips
While the phrase “ setting boundaries ” sounds like you ’ re fencing yourself off from the world , the opposite is true . When proper boundaries are in place , you ’ re better able to establish and maintain close and healthy relationships with others .
• Clearly communicate your boundaries to others so you set the right expectations .
• Start saying “ no .” Root yourself in the idea that your priorities are as important as the needs of others , and you ’ ll learn to say no without shame or guilt .
• Be honest and assertive when you say no .
• Respect others when they say no , too .
Also , be firm about keeping work in work hours . Commit to no email or work texts at night or on weekends .
Change Agent
We love the “ from the boardroom to the ballpark ” analogy to describe today ’ s working moms but think it needs more follow-through , so here ’ s some actual advice for transitioning between roles .
• Use your drive home to decompress . Fire up your favorite music or a podcast , but don ’ t pick one with a “ work ” theme ; choose pure entertainment instead .
• Don ’ t arrive home hungry ; it increases the odds of snark if there ’ s a challenging situation . If you didn ’ t make time to eat at work , be sure to have a healthy snack and some water on the way home ( something packed with protein is a good choice ).
• Change clothes first thing . Shedding work attire and slipping into something comfy will help you mentally put on a different hat .
And if you ’ re often running to an actual ballpark ( or piano lessons , etc .), keep some beauty and fashion essentials in your car so you can always freshen up and change from work mode quickly and easily . Mouthwash , a brush , a ball cap , wet wipes for make-up fixes and a light jacket or cardigan to replace a suit blazer plus casual shoes to don instead of heels are all good items to have on hand .
12 CentrAL Inc !