Self-care has become a word that everyone uses these days, with people focusing more inward to improve mental and physical health. It’s all about being more mindful and tuning yourself into your body.
Many have turned to journals or planners as an easy and practically free method of self-care. It’s also incredibly effective for those seeking more clarity and understanding.
Scheduling may not seem like a way to provide yourself with care, but it contains multiple benefits. There are also many ways to use your planner to get things done.
If you’re new to using a planner or already use one and want to learn more about the importance of self-care, below you’ll find some excellent methods to help you prioritize your health.
You’ll Accomplish More
If you have a dedicated time and area where you plan things out, you’ll likely get them done. In fact, some studies demonstrate you are 42% more likely to achieve a goal if you write it down.
So, if you’re working on self-care, what are your goals? If you write down everything you hope to achieve, you can use your planner to create a roadmap. Starting with a small plan with a goal you want to reach can make a difference over time with planning.
For example, let’s say you want to add meditation to your daily habits. Writing down your plan to do so helps you see and set forth the smaller achievements along the way. You can create a time block to dedicate to your meditation each day, work out how you’ll meditate, where you’ll meditate, what resources you’ll utilize, and so on.
You Can See Your Progress
Another tremendous advantage to writing things down in a planner is tracking yourself. Building habits that you’ll follow through with is crucial to self-care, but being able to see your progress as you reach goals and follow through with those plans helps you stay motivated.
The encouragement and reward you feel after completing something you set out to do releases endorphins in the brain. You end up more confident and empowered, so you’re also more likely to jump right into the next goal for your self-care!
Using Your Planner for Self-Care
Now that you know how important it can be to use a custom planner for your self-care, you might not know where to begin with your writing. It may feel overwhelming or too challenging to come up with ideas and what to write down.
Make a list of your big goals. Consider what self-care accomplishments you hope to make, and create a master list of those as if you’ve completed them.
If that seems too much, consider creating a list of smaller goals. Set out to do just one or two self-care activities within the week.
Here are some great example ideas you can consider writing down:
- Join a yoga class, or incorporate 30 minutes of yoga twice weekly.
- One night where you order in or go out to eat to give yourself a break from cooking.
- Schedule an hour-long massage for one day.
- Start and track a new skincare routine.
- Set aside an evening where you take a bubble bath.
- Spend 15 minutes reading a few days per week.
There are endless possibilities to help get you started. If you run out of ideas, you can make a simple list of the things you’re thankful for or pick one thing from that day (or the previous day) that made you happy. Gratitude is an excellent self-care practice.
Create a Routine
One of the most important parts of using your planner for self-care is developing it as part of your daily routine. When you start your day in a mindset, you give yourself the ability to take control of the rest of your day and how you’ll feel.
Setting aside time each morning, afternoon, or evening to write in your planner is a habit so it will take time. Create a mindful routine that suits you and gives you the needed focus so you can write in your planner and work to accomplish your self-care goals. When you track your progress, you can tweak your plans to add or remove things or spend more time in a particular area.
Creating a routine with intention ensures that you’re focused and ready to tackle whatever task you have at hand.
Mindful Self-Care With a Planner
It doesn’t have to be complicated to start planning. You can even plan digitally; if you type fast and like the idea of putting things down on paper. Many people incorporate combinations of both, using planners that they write in and taking notes on a laptop or a mobile device.
Prioritize your self-care for personal growth with a planner to see the progress of goals and make new, healthy, and mindful habits that provide you with a better sense of well-being.
Keep being AllDayChic!
