We all have times in our lives when we just have too much stuff going on. There are always deadlines, exams, due dates and just too many priorities to juggle. And when everything is going wrong, the world is screaming for your attention and you just don’t have time – the last thing you need to hear is to “just take a day off”. So here are  gentle ways you can take care of yourself when you’re pressed for time and attention. Enjoy! 

1. Say no to anything that is not important to you
2. Ask for help
3. Get enough sleep
4. Drink some tea
5. Listen to your favourite music
6. Eat healthy clean food
7. Take 5 minutes in the morning to just stretch and breathe
8. Walk everywhere
9. Take 5-minute mini-breaks every hour
10. Break your self-care habits into smaller tasks and do one each day
11. Make a plan of everything that needs to be done
12. Keep in touch with friends
13. Make room for rest
14. Write a gratitude list
15. Spend your lunchtime as sacred you-time
16. Write a worry-list
17. Go for a run or long walk
18. Keep a planner and schedule no-appointments time
19. Keep track of your achievements
20. Wear your best clothes
21. Go to a yoga class
22. Take a hot bath
23. Light some candles
24. Write support-thoughts and affirmations
25. Craft an emotional emergency plan
26. Breathe
27. Do something silly
28. Tidy up your workspace
29. Create some routines
30. Write things down
31. Accept a little clutter and mess
32. Allow your emotions to come to the surface
33. Honour your limits
34. Take the weekends completely off
35. Gather your support group
36. Outsource
37. Delegate
38. Get some sunlight
39. Take your vitamins
40. Use scented oils in the shower
41. Resist the urge to be productive all the time
42. Limit your media consumption
43. Meditate in the morning
44. Block out distractions
45. Compliment yourself
46. Do your dreaded tasks first
47. Brighten your day with colourful pencils and pretty stationery
48. Reward yourself
49. Postpone a major decision
50. Accept yourself as you are