Self Care for Busy Humans


 “If you don’t make time for your wellness you will
be forced to make time for your illness” 

We’ve all seen the videos online. Hustle accounts and people pretending to promote wellness and productivity but really all they promote are feelings of inadequacy and unrealistic nightly routines. If you are one of those people who wakes up at 5am and gets things done - congratulations! You are one of those rare superhumans who really can do it all! For the rest of us, we feel forever stuck chasing a level of productivity only achievable by robots and vampires who don’t sleep. 


What if I told you there was a way to genuinely increase your wellness without cutting too deeply into your precious time? I have compiled a list of small habits that make a huge difference so you know what is worth it and what is a waste of time. Try them out for yourself and let me know if they work for you.


Don’t put things off


No matter how tired you are, there are some things that are simply non-negotiable. For example, if you have cooked dinner make sure you wash up and put away your dishes when you finish eating. Not later. Not tomorrow. Now. Nothing is worse than having a growing list of things to do and a house that gets messier with every passing day. 


Minimise your routine


This may sound counter-productive but if my daily skincare routine was 10 steps I would not manage it. I keep it simple with the bare essentials. Having so few steps means it takes much less time for me to maintain a healthy glow because I am consistent with what I do. Instead of having one in-depth self-care day every month, or completing your full skincare ritual only once a week, you can ensure your skin is getting a little TLC every day preventing build-ups of blackheads and dull skin. 


This doesn’t just apply to skin. Instead of taking 40 minutes to beat on a full face of makeup in the morning, keep it simple. Experiment with paring it back to the bare essentials for a classic look that doesn’t melt off your face half way through the day. 


Check in with your health


If you notice you are developing a health problem try to book an appointment to deal with it straight away before it gets worse. That dull ache in your knee? Get it checked out before you need ACL surgery. That pain in your neck? See a physiotherapist before your bad habits cause permanent damage. Blurry or red eyes? Get an eye test to find the right prescription before you start getting headaches. Sensitive teeth? Make an appointment with the dentist as their waiting lists can be very long. I understand that getting appointments takes time but they will save you time, pain and money in the long run. 


Tidy up


You knew this was coming. Put your laundry away when it’s done. Iron those shirts now instead of when you are in a rush and really need one. Wipe the kitchen surfaces every time you wash up to prevent build up. Put things back in their place when you are done using them. Spending a few minutes frequently will save you hours you do not have later on. 


Cover the basics


  • Stretch for at least one minute every morning. I like to stretch when I’m brushing my teeth. 

  • Take a multivitamin to boost your immune system and prevent tiredness. Basic ones are low cost but make a big difference. I get mine from Boots for about £1.50 ($2) that contains vitamin D, C, E, iron, folic acid and more. 

  • Shower when you need to. Procrastinating it wastes time when you could be getting on with things. It helps you feel clean and put together. Incorporate a moment of mindfulness while you are washing by thinking of one thing you are grateful for every time you step under the water. 

  • Never sleep with makeup on it will cause problems you do not have time for in the morning.

  • Use lip balm before bed to keep your lips moisturised especially in winter when the temperature changes can dry out your skin. You can also apply hand cream before turning out the light if you get dry hands. By doing it over night, you're not washing product off your skin so it has longer to work. 


Of course, this is not an exhaustive list. There will be plenty more time-saving tips to come. The main message is this: a stitch in time saves nine.




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