How to make yourself a priority - 6 tips to make space for your needs.

Let's talk how to prioritize yourself and wellness.

As working women and mothers, we often find ourselves putting everyone else's needs before our own. Women often feel guilty when they prioritize their own life or their own happiness before others, however caring for ourselves is one of the greatest gifts we can give to ourselves. When you prioritize yourself that can at times lead to self criticism and maybe even feelings of shame. We are so used to giving and doing for others that we forget to make time for ourselves. Societal pressures has also conditioned women to feel bad about making time and space for our needs. However the past few years have been challenging for everyone and we've witnessed more than once that we can't show up as our best selves if we don't prioritize our own mental well-being.

Here are 6 strategies to make sure you're taking care of yourself and making yourself a priority:

1. Schedule time for yourself every day – and stick to it!

2. Set boundaries with others – know when to say no

3. Take care of your physical health – eat well, exercise, get enough sleep

4. Make time for your mental health – do things that make you happy

5. Find a support system – Lean on your friends and family when you need to

6. Be patient with yourself – It takes time to make changes in your life

1. Schedule time for yourself every day – and stick to it!

Your time is valuable, however many women have a hard time keeping commitments to themselves. You might notice that you find time for your job responsibilities and family's needs, but we often have difficulty following through on things that are just for us.

One simple strategy to make yourself a priority is to carve out a few moments each day just for you. Schedule it. Put it in your calendar. Make it a non-negotiable event. You probably wouldn't cancel on a friend or family members, so try to use the same approach with yourself.

Scheduling in time for yourself every day can help you remember to prioritize your own self-care and well-being. Even if it's just five minutes of mindful breathing or a fifteen-minute walk outside, making yourself a priority will improve your overall sense of self and mental energy. Take some pressure off by setting realistic goals - if you don't feel like taking a full hour away today, that's totally okay - find one thing that you can do since any amount of intentional time devoted to yourself is the perfect way to start. Let's make ourselves a priority!

2. Set boundaries with others – know when to say no

It is important to set boundaries with others and know that it’s ok to say “no”. It’s so easy to get caught up in the expectations of others and forget the importance of respecting your own physical and emotional capacities. Boundaries help protect our own personal limits so we can develop and maintain healthy relationships.

Setting boundaries can be difficult to navigate at times, but it can be an essential tool towards making your own well-being a priority and also show yourself kindness and self-respect. It’s ok to set limits even if you feel comfortable especially if it's in the service of your well-being. Setting boundaries can be challenging for people who tend to care for others or want to be helpful. Sometimes people might find themselves over-apologizing if they're feeling guilty, however it can be helpful to focus on why you are setting boundaries and validate that it's not also easy to do.

3. Take care of your physical health – eat well, exercise, get enough sleep

Nutrition, exercise and sleep are all key components of a healthy life – and important pieces of the puzzle when it comes to making yourself a priority. Taking care of our basic needs gives us the foundation to show as our best self wile also developing good habits in our everyday life.

Nutrition is the foundation for providing energy to your body; exercise supports our physical health and helps with stress relief; and last, but not least, getting an adequate amount of sleep helps support mental clarity. Make sure you’re taking care of yourself by eating foods that will nourish your mind and body in nutritious ways, moving around daily (even if it’s just a walk around the block), and setting a consistent