Hello and happy Monday! This is Susan Hyatt and it’s GO time. This is episode number 132.
In this episode we’re talking about 3 quick, simple self-care tips for busy-busy people!
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If you are new to this show, hello and welcome! This is a show where we talk about goals, and courage, and going after what you really want in life.
I drop a new episode every Monday to get your week started off right.
So… I run an online community called BARE DAILY. It’s a place where women get together to talk about self-care, health, wellness, movement, fitness, food… Basically, how we can take REALLY good care of our bodies and feel amazing.
BARE DAILY is a members-only community. You can buy a membership, kinda like a gym membership, and then you get access to all kinds of videos, recipes, workouts, group coaching sessions, private coaching sessions, and of course, a discussion area where we talk about ALL the things.
One topic that comes up a LOT inside BARE DAILY is… how to keep things simple, quick, and realistic.
Because, look—not everybody has time for a 3-hour hike in the woods… or an elaborate juicing ritual where you have to wash five pounds of kale and carrots every morning… or cooking a vat of soup that takes 8 hours to simmer with constant stirring and supervision. Uh, that’s not gonna happen. At least, not in my world! Maybe not in yours, either.
So, how can you take really good care of yourself, but in a way that’s simple, quick, and realistic? I have about a THOUSAND different ideas and tips that I’ve love to share, but for today’s episode, let’s start with just… three.
Tip #1. Remember the 5-minute rule.
What is the 5-minute rule?
Think of it this way. If you’ve got 5 minutes to eat a meal, you can spend 5 minutes eating a bag of stale potato chips—or you can spend 5 minutes eating a nourishing salad, or some sushi, or a chicken and rice bowl, or a yummy wrap with hummus, veggies, and avocado, or something else that energizes you and feels good for your body.
It’s still 5 minutes either way.
So, if you catch yourself thinking, “Oh my god, I’m so busy today, I don’t have time to eat a proper meal…” remember, that’s NOT actually true.
It’s 5 minutes to eat a greasy breakfast sandwich from Wendy’s. Or it’s 5 minutes to eat a quick pre-made salad from the grocery store. It’s still 5 minutes.
You can spend 5 minutes eating mindlessly in front of the computer. Or you can take 5 minutes to sit down with a real plate, and a nice napkin, and actually savor your food and enjoy the moment. Again… it’s 5 minutes either way.
I actually recorded an entire podcast episode all about this topic. Google GO PODCAST – SUSAN HYATT – IT’S 5 MINUTES EITHER WAY to listen to that. Or head to iTunes. Or my website. It’s a good one.
Tip #2. Set up your environment for success.
Whatever kind of habit you’re trying to build into your life, set yourself up for success. This may sound “obvious,” but it’s one of those things that many of us forget to do.
For example, if you want to work out in the mornings, then right before you go to sleep, set your workout clothes right by your bed so they’re ready for the next morning.
Get your yoga pants, your socks, your workout bra, the whole dealio, and put it right by the foot of your bed. When you wake up, boom. Everything is right there. You don’t have to rummage around in your dark closet searching for a bra when it’s dark and cold and you’re barely awake.
This is such a simple thing, but it makes such a difference. It makes your life way more efficient, and makes it way more likely that you’ll stay committed to the habits you want.
I am a pretty motivated person, but I am telling you, if I had to rummage around looking for my socks at 5am every morning, I don’t think I would EVER make it out for my morning run. I’d probably give up and flop back into bed!
So, set out your clothes, and make it easier for yourself to stay committed. Maybe you’ve got a different goal or habit you’d like to create. Maybe it’s not workout-related. Whatever it is, think ahead, and set yourself up for success. This saves time, it cuts frantic searching and stress outta your life, and it feels great. Doooooo it.
Tip #3. Create a hygge corner in your home.
Hygge is a Danish word that means, “cozy, peaceful, happy time.” The Danes are some of the happiest, healthiest people in the entire world. A big part of this is because they’re obsessed with hygge. Their homes are beautiful, simple, uncluttered, full of candles and soft, snuggly textures… perfect for hygge experiences.
If you’re super-busy (or even if you’re not!) I highly recommend hygge-fying your home to make your environment as stress-free and cozy as possible. This has a direct impact on your mental and physical health.
If nothing else, start by creating one little “hygge corner” in your home—a cozy nook by a window where you can read, meditate, stretch, journal, sip tea, or just chill out. Make this corner your special place to unwind—even if it’s just a 2-minute break to read an inspiring poem, or sip a glass of water.
I love my hygge corner and I swear—visiting my lil’ corner for even just 2, 3, or 4 minutes has an immediate impact on my mood. My stress levels drop. I can exhale more deeply. It feels so good.
This kind of relaxation helps your body to function optimally. It helps your metabolism to speed up and work more efficiently. It helps your hormones to come back into balance. Seriously. Get some hygge in your life. You will feel such a difference.
I hope you enjoyed those quick self-care tips for busy-busy people!
For tons more tips—plus daily support and encouragement from ACTUAL people who genuinely care about you—check out BARE DAILY.
Consider getting a 1-month membership to try out this community. Or splurge on a 12-month membership and then you get lots of amazing gifts in the mail, too.
Google BARE DAILY or head to SHYATT.COM and click PROGRAMS to see all the details. Registration for BARE DAILY is open until 1/24/18 so hop on over.
I hope you’ll become a new member of BARE DAILY, because this community is AWESOME and our members are getting all kinds of mental AND physical results. Beautiful victories and achievements. It’s so cool to witness it happening, every week.
But even if you don’t become a member of BARE DAILY… I want you to make your body a priority in 2018.
Taking excellent care of yourself is a choice that creates such a ripple effect in your life. More energy. More confidence, Less stress. Better sex. Oh hell yes, I said it! And so much more.
Give your body some love today. Make it a priority. Today. And every day.
It’s GO time.
