Anne Lamott, the celebrated, quirky and funny writer of books on writing and spirituality, recently gave a TED talk entitled, “12 Truths I Learned from Life and Writing,” in which she spoke about something she called “radical self-care.”
“While fixing and saving and trying to rescue is futile,” Lamott says, “radical self-care is quantum, and it radiates out from you into the atmosphere like a little fresh air. It’s a huge gift to the world.” We spend so much time in our workaday lives being told we’re not good enough, that the “other side” is not good enough, it’s no wonder American workers feel they’re on the verge of burnout on a regular basis.
This summer, especially as it heats up, it’s important to go take time for radical self-care. I’ve got three suggestions for giving yourself the radical self-care you desire.
Spice Things Up With a Relaxing Siesta – Radical Self-Care for a Balanced Life
Most people think of the siesta and it conjures up thoughts of leisurely napping the afternoon away in Barcelona. The truth is that you can have the power of the siesta without it taking up a dramatic amount of time from work and making you look like a slacker to your colleagues.
Whether you decide to take this radical self-care moment to do a mindfulness meditation exercise, go for a healthy walk after lunch, or if you really want to take a power nap, it doesn’t need to take a lot of time. Most of these activities will take it tops 20 to 30 minutes, and I like the idea of being able to sprinkle these activities throughout the day as a means of recharging your body, and your mind. Who doesn’t want to reduce coronary mortality risk by 37 percent with a power nap?
American society is getting wiser to the power of sleep, and specifically power napping for those who feel sleep-deprived, and taking time for one’s self-care throughout the workday. But, until the culture changes dramatically, it’s best to find slow parts in your workday and utilize those for something rejuvenating.
Splurge at the Spa – Radical Self-Care for a Balanced Life
My next suggestion you wouldn’t immediately think it, but going to the spa is an act of radical self-care. “Spa” is an umbrella term for places providing a wide variety of health, wellness, and cosmetic treatments–not just for the ladies, gentlemen. Spa treatments include many services such as massage, reiki, facial masks, reflexology, hot tub soaking and sauna lounging, body scrubs, manicures and pedicures, and aromatherapy.
The point is that it’s making time for your body to not be bombarded by the distress of everyday life and to give it a chance to release the toxins to which your body is constantly exposed. There are many affordable spas and spa-like treatments in the Washington, DC area so you can find something that relaxes you and nourishes your body within your budget. Make a “self-date” and take yourself to the spa. You deserve it.
Vacation or Staycation, You Decide – Radical Self-Care for a Balanced Life
Last, but not least, should not have to be radical, but when you look at the statistics you realize it is: take a vacation. More than half of Americans don’t take their paid vacation days for fear of being replaced, totalling more than 658 million vacation days! It’s worth noting that Project: Time Off’s State of American Vacation 2016 report found that those “who take 10 or fewer days of vacation time are less likely to have received a raise or bonus in the last three years than those who took 11 days or more.” Take more time off, get the true value of your compensation package, and make more money! It’s a win-win-win!
Well, now comes the hard part. You need to make time to plan your vacations. You need to make sure to consult your work and family calendar to make sure the vacation is a good time. Once that’s done and you’ve chosen a destination, now you can do some backwards planning.
From the date of your return from vacation, plot out all the projects and tasks you know will happen around that time. This gives you ample time to prepare for work and family obligations leading up to, and then after vacation. It affords you the ability to leave on vacation without stress, and prepared for the return without the distress typically associated with the backlog. Notify everyone you work with the dates of your vacation so that they know they can postpone starting any major projects that need your input or effort around that time frame until after you get back. Guilt-free and well-planned vacations are truly radical self-care.
And, as I discussed a few articles ago, it’s easier than ever to take trips that connect you to Nature and are close to the DC area in the Great Outdoors. You may feel you can’t make the extra effort or make room in the budget for large trips, so make it a staycation. You can do day trips throughout the time, even make time with the family to do a few home renovation projects. Simply make sure to leave plenty of time on the backend of that staycation to rest and relax before getting back to the grind.
What are some of your ideas for radical self-care moments throughout your workday? Let us know in the comments!