Strategies for Focusing on Yourself

10:41:39

2024-03-14

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1- Set aside alone time in your schedule. It’s normal to spend time with friends, family, and co-workers; socialization is good—but solitude is equally important. So, create time each week to sit quietly with your own thoughts and check in with yourself. Choose a time that works for you, and pick a spot where you won’t be interrupted.

For example, you might choose to spend every Sunday afternoon from 3 to 5 P.M. relaxing on your own.
It might feel hard or awkward to be alone with yourself at first. That’s totally okay, but try to push through your discomfort. Once you get used to it, solitude can be very valuable!

2- Ask yourself questions to get to know yourself better. Building a stronger relationship with yourself will help you learn to prioritize yourself. To start this process, make a list of questions to ask yourself—anything that comes to mind. Just answer them truthfully, and be honest about who you are (and aren’t). There are no wrong answers! Consider questions like:[2]

What is your purpose?
How are you working towards that purpose?
What makes you happy?
What would you like less of in your life?

3- Treat yourself with kindness and patience. Most people are able to be kind (or at least polite) to other people—so a good rule of thumb is to treat yourself like you treat others. Ask yourself if you’re as considerate to yourself as you are to your friends, and if not, try giving yourself the same compassion that you give them.

For example, you might be really supportive of your partner and encourage them to achieve their goals, so think of ways to support yourself similarly.
If you’re struggling to come up with anything, start with a daily affirmation. You might say something like, “I have what it takes to run a half marathon,” or “I’m a smart and capable person!”

4- Take care of your physical health. Eat a nutritious diet, exercise, and get 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night to feel your best and nourish your body. It’s easy to get wrapped up in caring for others and neglect yourself, so make time for a good night’s sleep, schedule exercise just like you’d schedule any other appointment, and fuel your workouts with a balanced diet of produce, whole grains, and lean proteins.

Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. You might walk, hit the gym, or do a workout at home. Choose something you enjoy so exercising doesn’t feel like a chore.
Prepare balanced meals like farrow, chicken breast, and roasted veggies to give you the energy you need. Pick foods you like to eat instead of going along with everyone else.
Don’t sacrifice your sleep, even when life gets hectic. It’s actually counterproductive; being tired can make you cranky, exhausted, and unfocused.
Go to bed and wake up at roughly the same time each day, and avoid phones and digital devices before bed. Those emails and social media updates can wait!