Self-Care, Stress, and Productivity
Updated October 02, 2023
Not long ago I was chatting with a friend who heads a major research hospital on a university campus that is also a national arboretum. We were discussing self-care, specifically walking. Here’s what my friend, a renowned doctor said, “I know I should be taking care of myself. And the campus is beautiful and so fun to walk around. But something is always more important than going for a twenty minute walk. Or I tell myself I’ll just get this one more thing done and then I’ll sneak out for a few minutes. But one more thing has been going on for years.”
This is the challenge ladies. One more thing is always there and we have been conditioned to prioritize that one more thing over our own well-being. Frequently we do this in the name of productivity. Our To Do list is more important than our To Be list.
But the truth is simply this: self-care has been proven to increase productivity. Self-care, which I define as the deliberate thoughts and actions you practice to support your body, mind, and spirit—your whole Self, has been proven to improve cognitive function, and boost focus and concentration. A natural byproduct of improved cognition, focus and concentration is increased productivity. And Self-care (notice that capital S!) Is the best stress buster in the world, especially when woven into the fabric of our every day.
We’ve experienced a global stress epidemic as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. And while the pandemic is over, the stress epidemic is not. Stress is manifesting as insomnia, restlessness, fatigue, muscle tension, irritability, social withdrawal, lack of motivation, obesity, cardiovascular disease, digestive problems and mental health issues like depression and anxiety. There has never been a more critical time to create a daily self-care practice and make it into a habit.
But what about our conditioning to prioritize everyone and everything over our own well-being? Glad you asked, use it! But in a good way!
Prioritize a friend or family member who needs to take care of themself! Seriously—a great way to step into daily Self-care is to help someone else with theirs. How many of your friends do you wish took better care of themselves? How many women do you know who would benefit enormously from a twenty-five minute walk every day? A lot. (As in, every woman you know.)
Here’s your bonus: helping your friend or family member care for herself will in turn get you taking care of yourSelf!
We hold the truth of Self care for others, not ourselves.
So reach out.
Make a call and say, “Hey, let’s be walking partners. We both need to take better care of ourselves so let’s be accountable to each other.” Then set up a really easy way to communicate and hold each other accountable to a daily Self-care walking practice.
Best practices:
Text each other in the morning with your walking plan (Ex: I’m walking for 25 minutes during lunch) and then text after you walk. (Ex: I’m done, how about you?) Or text photos of where you’re walking.
Walk together if it’s easy. If your schedules coincide, walk together. And if you do walk together, make it your habit to notice where you’re walking and point out beautiful sights, sounds and smells. When you connect to where you’re walking, your walk will be more satisfying and fulfilling.
So to recap: A daily Self-Care walking practice with a partner will lower your stress, increase your productivity, and help someone you love and care for. Pick up the phone and get your walk on, today!
I have a great FREE tool to help you and your walking partner succeed in making walking your daily Self-care. It’s my Step-by-Step walking tracker. Download it today to discover the different stages of habit forming and how to best track your walks for success.
Step-by-step habit tracker
The Step-by-Step tracker helps you make walking your daily Self-care habit! Start your happy, healthy, long life by getting your FREE tracker today!
this beautiful walk
Step into a Healthier You! Join our newsletter to discover tips, stories, and inspiration for a more active lifestyle.