Simple Self Care Strategies for High Achieving Women
If you're reading this, chances are you struggle with high functioning anxiety and are looking for some self-care strategies to help manage your symptoms. Well, you've come to the right place! I believe that caring for yourself shouldn’t be complicated because we tend to get paralyzed and not take any action.
If you are living with high functioning anxiety, you’re likely super busy and want to be able to use simple, effective ways to reduce stress and anxiety and at the same time, feel like you’re really taking care of yourself or nourishing yourself so you can feel better.
Here are some simple tips to help you practice self-care:
Mindfulness: Practicing mindfulness can be an incredibly helpful tool for managing anxiety. Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment and being aware of your thoughts and feelings without judgment. Try starting your day with a short mindfulness exercise. This can be 5 to 10 minutes of your time. This tends to be difficult because we react to our thoughts and emotions but try to just notice your thoughts and emotions for what they are. Our anxiousness gets more intense the more we judge ourselves for how we are feeling.
Community: It's important to have a support system of people who understand what you're going through or who are willing and able to be there for you. That can be a therapist, coach or trusted friend that you can reach out to or speak to about what’s going on. It can be hard for someone with high functioning anxiety to ask for help or to really be honest about what they are feeling but sharing with others is a great way to release that emotion and anxiousness. n
Exercise: Exercise is a great way to release tension and boost your mood. Even just a short walk around the block can help clear your mind and get your body moving. Find an activity that you enjoy and make it a regular part of your routine even if you need to schedule an appointment with yourself. This matters and is a great natural anti-anxiety activity.
Whole Foods Nutrition: Your diet can also have a big impact on your mental health. Eating a diet that is high in whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, can help you feel more energized and better able to manage your anxiety. If your diet is full of processed foods, that will increase both inflammation and anxiousness. Try to start with a simple, healthy breakfast in the morning to start your day off right. I love having organic peanut butter on toast with banana or yogurt with fruit and granola!! So delish and so healthy.
Boundaries: Setting boundaries can be especially challenging for high functioning anxious women, but it's important to prioritize your needs and make time for self-care. Practice saying no to commitments that don't serve you especially if your goal right now to put yourself first more. What things can you say no to? Really think about that and start practicing that with smaller invitations so you can see how that feels for you. It gets easier with practice, I promise!!
Remember, self-care is not selfish. Taking care of yourself is a necessary part of managing anxiety and living a healthy, fulfilling life. Incorporate these self-care strategies into your daily routine and see how they can make a difference in your overall well-being.
And if you resonate with this post and are ready to start working with me 1:1, book a free call so we can see if it’s a good match. Can’t wait to hear from you!