Will You Take Care of Yourself First?

Planning a big event takes a lot of time and effort. It's easy to look at your long list and think you'll make time for yourself later, even when your body is craving food and rest.

Beneficial habits like self-care often get neglected during busy times. Yet, these are the days when you need to take care of yourself the most.

Self-Care Basics

You already know the basics of self-care without much thought. This includes:

• Going to bed early to get enough sleep

• Eating nourishing food to keep your energy up

• Asking for help when you need it

But these are often the first things you ignore when you’ve got a ton on your plate. During stressful times, the very basic foundations of self-care are the most important. For example, it's amazing what a good night's sleep can do for your energy level and mental clarity!

Make a Care Package

One way to boost your chances of keeping self-care at the focus is to prepare a care package ahead of time. This can include some of your favorite little indulgences like a good book, herbal teas, a facial mask, fuzzy slippers, and a classical CD. Include anything that brings you joy. Being able to reach for this package when you’re stressed can mean the world and make a huge difference to your outlook. Taking an hour or two to "reset" will pay big dividends.

Involve Your Crew

When you have too much to do, you may require a bit of help to stay on track. That’s why it’s a good idea to reach out to trusted friends and family now to enlist their help for the days ahead. Sometimes those who know us best can see things we don’t. A distant bridesmaid or favorite aunt who wants to help could be happy to send you encouraging messages. A best friend can go for a walk with you or spend a few minutes "just listening." And your significant other will probably be delighted to share an evening without talking about the coming festivities.

Taking steps to plan now (yes, before you close this page) can make maintaining your self-care routine easier for those stressful times. Because that's when you need to nurture yourself the most.