4 Warning Signs You're Skipping Self-Care

The Importance of a Self-Care Practice

Skipping self-care isn’t uncommon. It’s often in our busy digital worlds that we get caught up so much in going, going, going, that we miss opportunities to nurture ourselves.

Ideally, we’d be able to check in with ourselves every day. The amount of energy we reinvest in ourselves is so important for soul survival. More than that, how often we practice self-care directly impacts the care we can extend to others.

If you’re skipping self-care, you might notice it impact your work, block your creativity, bum out your relationships, and stifle your daily productivity.

Luckily, when we start to skip on self-care, our beautiful minds and bodies have ways of letting us know.

Skipping Self-Care Isn’t an Option

They say our bodies are machines that we must fuel. While that’s true, our health is dependent on much more than that physical need. As sentient beings, we have to be sure to prioritize the time and space we need to rebalance and get right with our harmony and intuition. Without that time and space, we simply fall into an imbalanced way of life.

And it comes at the sacrifice of ourselves.

Below are four warning signs to be on the lookout for that signal it’s time to practice more self-care.

#1: Feeling Stress, Anxiety, or Irritability

Maybe your fuse is a little bit shorter, or you’re feeling anxious when you normally wouldn’t. Maybe you’re piling your plate so high that all you feel is stress! Moving self-care to the bottom of your list leaves you prey to snappy attitudes, bleak thoughts, and feelings of discontent.

TIP: Take a few minutes to zone out to a meditation playlist. Look for tracks that have gongs or bells. You can actually feel the sounds resonating within your core and rebalancing your energy.

#2: Feeling Obligated Rather Than Excited

Is there anything worse than feeling obligated to do the things you’d usually feel excited about? Or committing your time to doing things you’d just rather… not?

It’s normal to obligate yourself to arrangements or events throughout the week, but if all you’re doing is pleasing others at the expense of your own desires, you’re going to feel unbalanced.

TIP: Commit to boundaries that protect your time. Maybe you decide to set aside one hour of quality alone time for every five hours you spend with others. Or maybe you just block off two calendar days a week that are off limits for external activities. Find what works for you, and use the time to relax with some incense or a calming candle.

#3: Feeling Rushed or Like There’s Never Enough Time

This is that nervous energy that you can’t seem to shake. Similar to anxiety, feeling rushed is a heightened, stressed state of mind that is super unproductive.

When you feel rushed, frantic, or stretched to your limits, you just can’t give your best. It’s a sign you’ve got to step up your self-care and mindfulness.

TIP: Physically slow down or stop altogether. Set a five-minute timer and focus on what’s around you, being mindful to notice details you tend to overlook or take for granted. Empty and refill your lungs with big, sweeping breaths in and out.

#4: Feeling Left Out, Unappreciated, or Unheard

Sometimes it’s hard to recognize that what you’re feeling in your relationships is more about what you’re lacking than it is about someone else’s actions. Discovering your needs and boundaries in your main relationships can help you feel more seen.

You have the power to change your perspective or shift your energy when you’re feeling a little bit invisible or unimportant. It’s easy to forget that the attention and love you need most comes from within.

TIP: Spend 10 minutes acknowledging yourself and your contributions. You might journal, practice mindful self-massage, tapping, or chant a mantra to reinforce positive thoughts.

When you take time to acknowledge that you’re not feeling your best, you take a positive step toward a healing solution.

Your emotional and mental health simply can’t be ignored. Everything you feel and every action you take is a clue that you’re either on the right track… or not. Only you will know what you need, but in order to take inventory, you need to slow down and make intentional time for yourself.

Pay attention closely and find the opportunities you have to practice more self-care!