If you have ever felt bad for taking time out for yourself, stop right now.

Despite some people believing that self-care is selfish or frivolous, we are here to tell you that it is one of the most selfless acts one can engage in. Ultimately, you are the best version of yourself when you are all taken care of, leaving you in a better position to manage your other responsibilities with more productivity and efficiency!

Any person involved in the workforce knows all too well how draining each day can be, not to mention all the extra responsibilities waiting for us at the end of the day, like the long lists of errands that need to be ticked off alongside the houses that still won’t clean themselves. This leaves a demand for you to be your best self and ready to take on whatever life throws at you.

Not only can your personal self-care impact your inner circle, but it actually improves your footprint within your wider community. Without a personalised self-care plan, you risk neglecting your own wellbeing and, in turn, making yourself unavailable for those in your care.

So, without further ado, here are four tips for creating and mastering your own self-care plan:

SLEEP UNTIL YOU ARE REFRESHED

Did you know that humans can survive longer without food than they can without sleep? Not getting enough sleep is detrimental to your mental and physical health and has been linked to weight gain, as well as increased risks for strokes and diabetes. It is recommended that adults get between 7 to 9 hours of sleep daily, however some may feel refreshed after as little as 6 hours, or as much as 10. Once you find what works for you (and stick to it), we guarantee you’ll feel more energetic, productive and generally happier!

EAT FOR HEALTH, NOT FOR TASTE

For most people, a lack of sufficient hours in the day is one of the grandest enemies of a healthy diet. This means, for those who are time-poor, preparation is everything. Aside from the physical health issues of a poor diet, eating high-carb fast foods can cause fatigue, put a strain on the digestive system and can have an adverse effect on mental wellbeing. For those on the go, we suggest ensuring you always have a healthy snack on hand to curb your temptation to reach for fast food. This can mean spending an hour or two each Sunday prepping and freezing your meals for the week ahead, setting you up for success!

WORK IT OUT

Being and staying active is a major contributing factor to our overall wellbeing. Don’t worry - we are not suggesting you start running 5km a day or purchase a gym membership you may not even use. Simply, adjusting a few of your daily habits can have a substantial impact. Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator, take a short walk on your lunch break or choose to walk 15 minutes to your destination instead of jumping on the 5 minute bus ride (despite the convenience). Any activity beyond what you are currently doing, will positively impact your overall health.

TAKE A BREAK

All breaks, including lunch breaks exist for the sole reason that we, as humans, need them once in a while. Utilise your advantages to better yourself, which includes taking sick leave when you’re unwell (mentally or physically), because you can’t give what you haven’t got. Without your regular levels of focus, stamina or energy you’re not performing at your best, let alone recovering like you need to. Take a break, meditate and recuperate.

Self-care is not a selfish act. Self-care has a positive impact on wellbeing and should be a priority in order to continue to be the very best you can be for yourself and for those around you.