Hello everyone and welcome back to the blog!
I wanted to take some time this week to dive into different ways to unwind and take care of yourself. We live in such a fast-paced world, that sometimes we forget to take time for ourselves. Whether you are a golfer or someone chasing goals in your own career, self-care is what keeps us energized, grounded and ready to perform at our best.
As I said in my last blog, I like to practice self-care everyday in small ways. So, without further ado, let’s get to it!
1. Movement
Movement does not always mean intense workouts or practice sessions at the golf course. For self-care I like to emphasize movement that makes my body feel good. On some days it can be a Pilates class or following a yoga video at home. On other days it can be going for a scenic walk at a national park or beach.
Trying to balance a busy schedule can be overwhelming, but making time for yourself to move can help reduce stress and clear your mind. I love listening to my favourite songs while I walk as a way to disconnect and decompress.
2. FAMILY/FRIENDS
The most important form of self-care for me is connection. When my schedule gets busy, it is easy for me to put relationships in the back seat. But spending time with the ones you love is so important. Whether it be a phone call to a family member or a night out with the girls, these moments keep me grounded and motivated.
Being around people who support you can automatically lift your spirits and reduce stress. For me, catching up with my friends over a nice dinner and debriefing with my parents every night help give me perspective when I need it.
3. MENTAL
The mental side of self-care is something that I find the most difficult. Golf is a mental game, but life in general can feel overwhelming with constant pressure and distractions. I find it important for myself to take time each day to refocus and reset my mind.
One of my go-to practices is breathing. Over the years, I have found that when I am in stressful situations, my breathing gets quicker, which makes it harder for me to focus. I also find that this also happens when I am feeling overwhelmed about day-to-day tasks. When I find myself in these situations, I like to close my eyes and breathe slowly in and out, focusing on clearing my mind.
In addition to this, I use the health app on my phone to track my mental wellbeing. The mental section of the health app tracks your sleep, how many minutes you spend out in daylight and your state of mind (which you can log). I find that it is a good way for me to see different trends that I have month to month. There are also a lot of other good apps out there to help you with this.
4. HOBBIES
Another big part of self-care is having something that is just for you. Having little hobbies outside of golf is important for me to separate my work and personal life. For the last few years, I have started writing little poems and songs that I keep on my phone. As I love to sing and listen to music, writing gives me an outlet to channel my creativity. I also like to bake and cook, and seeing the finished product always makes me so happy – and eating it even more so. I am also extremely interested in art, so going to different art galleries when I can help me decompress.
It can be overwhelming and difficult to focus on your career. Having different hobbies can give your brain a break and help you balance your life. I constantly have the mindset of pushing myself and trying to perform, but these hobbies help me take the pressure off and see life outside of work.
Conclusion
Self-care doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. For me, it is about being in tune with my body and mind and taking time to hit the reset button. I hope that you all can start to implement one small act of self-care in each of these areas. You may be surprised by how much better you feel!
That’s all for this week. As always, thank you for reading and I’ll see you next week!