Staying Motivated about Self-Care
We’ve all been there: starting off with good intentions to practice self-care, only to find motivation slipping away as life becomes busy or stressful. Yet, regularly engaging in self-care activities is essential for long-term health and productivity. The good news is that motivation can be built, maintained and strengthened. Motivation often thrives when you set goals that clearly identify why self-care matters to you. Are you seeking improved mental health, better focus or increased energy? Clarify these reasons and revisit them regularly. Writing down your motivations and placing them somewhere visible serves as a constant, empowering reminder.
Using Habit Anchoring "Habit Anchoring" is a highly effective strategy for keeping motivated in your self-care journey. It involves connecting a new self-care activity with an existing strong habit that you already have by doing them one after the other. For example, if you already make coffee every morning, you can use that existing habit as an "anchor" (reminder) to practice mindfulness breathing for two minutes while the coffee brews. This association makes your new habit easier to remember and reinforces motivation.
Maintaining Motivation Over Time Once you build a new self-care habit, how do you maintain motivation? Key tips are to:
- Start Small and Realistic: Choose manageable activities that easily fit into your routine, gradually building to more ambitious practices.
- Celebrate Wins: Recognise and celebrate small milestones to maintain momentum and boost self-confidence. Reward yourself for practicing self-care regularly.
- Adapt, Don’t Quit: When setbacks occur, adapt your routine instead of abandoning it. Flexibility ensures long-term commitment. For example, if you have set yourself a goal of walking for 10 minutes each day but it is raining today, do some gentle stretching indoors instead.
- Stay Connected to Your Goals: Regularly reflecting on the benefits you've experienced from your self-care activities reinforces their value, helping you stay committed even when life becomes hectic. One great idea is to keep a short and simple "self-care journal" where you write down your goals and the self-care activities you do each day.