Nutrition by Dawn - Blog

As we head into the last quarter of 2020, I’m hearing the same complaints from the women in my coaching programs and online groups over and over again. Everyone is stressed out. Life feels really heavy at the moment, and despite the fact that we’re staring down the barrel of the holiday season, there’s just not much joy going around.

Fair enough! Life IS really heavy right now. Especially for women with kids, juggling work, family life, and homeschooling/virtual school has proven to be an immense challenge this school year. If you don’t feel like you have time leftover for “me time,” you’re far from alone.

Here’s the thing: Right now and always, it’s absolutely crucial to “put your mask on first,” as I like to say. 

Women have a tendency to want to take care of all the people in our lives … But the fact of the matter is, we can’t take care of our families, our businesses, or our friendships effectively if we aren’t taking care of ourselves.

So what does taking care of yourself look like given our current circumstances?

If you ask me, it means finding opportunities to create more joy in our daily lives. That will look different for everyone depending on what your interests are.

For me, it means keeping up with my morning workouts no matter what, going on lots of walks, and treating myself to amazing food and fine wine on a regular basis. For you, it might mean cuddling with your dog, reading a great book, getting a massage, or going for a run.

However you do it, I challenge you to create time in your week for something that makes you feel genuinely joyful. Even if it’s only five or ten minutes, the mental break will leave you feeling far more equipped to deal with the everyday challenges you’re facing right now. 

For now, let me know in the comments—what’s your favorite way to decompress when life is stressful? Answer below!