Setting aside some time to take care of our physical, mental and emotional health should remain an integral part of our lives. Self-care supports us through bouts of stress and anxiety, it provides a chance to work through challenging situations and gives a boost to our overall self-esteem. But what can you do when you don’t have the energy to take care of yourself?
One significant thing to understand about self-care is that it’s not about being happy. That may seem counterintuitive; but self-care is about developing an awareness of when you need to allow time for self-soothing, healing or getting a mental reset. A beneficial side effect might be nurturing happiness, but that should not be its aim. It’s a tool we must learn how to utilize effectively, especially when we’re experiencing a lack of mental or emotional vitality.
In addition, self-care is not a cure for any type of depression. If you’re feeling overwhelmed; to the point where it’s interfering with your everyday life or ability to function in a healthful way, you should seek out further, in-depth/professional support; some useful links have been included at the end of this article.
I’m currently experiencing some situational depression and anxiety that has left me feeling exhausted and struggling to take care of myself. I’ve had to adapt my self-care tools to include ones that take little effort and time to complete. By starting small, I’ve found it’s had a knock-on effect; accumulating to help boost my resiliency and overall energy to a level where I can start to step out of the low ebb I’m weathering.
Through repetitious, small moments of self-care that don’t sap already diminished energy levels; we can all start feeling the accomplishment of doing something practical for ourselves that accumulates a sense of well-being.
Here are 6 Self-Care Tips For When You Don’t Have The Energy To Do Anything …
1| Give yourself permission to let certain things go if you’re struggling to complete them (cleaning, laundry, wearing make-up, sleeping well, etc). Our ordinary routines might get disrupted — and that’s okay. Don’t focus on what you’re not accomplishing, instead regard it as a temporary change.
2| Do one thing consistently at the beginning of your day. It could be as simple as starting off with a cup of tea and no social media browsing (something I’ve implemented) or making your bed as soon as you get up. Morning routines improve our overall mental health by setting intentions for the day.
3| Use an aromatherapy oil diffuser/mister for 5-10 minutes a day, closing your eyes to concentrate on your breathing. It’s like a mini-meditation that will support relaxation and clear your thoughts. For some guidance about what essential oil blends you can use, click here.
4| Spend a few minutes colouring-in or making origami — they’re both creative yet relaxing activities; you can focus on something without it becoming too involved or overstimulating for your brain.
5| Declutter one thing — pick a cupboard or drawer; a bag or desk; sort out files on your phone/computer, etc. Organization is a simple yet effective way to offer yourself a mental break from stress; shifting attention onto something that provides a bit of (healthy) control and order.
6| Get some sunshine — if you don’t have the energy or time to go for a walk; sit in your garden, on your porch or next to an open window for a few minutes. Focus on your breathing and feel the serotonin boosting sunlight on your face (serotonin is a mood-enhancing, calming hormone).
Do you have any self-care tips? What do you do to take care of yourself?
Further Info:
NAMI Helpline – a free, nationwide U.S. resource that offers experienced peer-support guidance and advice
CheckPoint – global (by country) resources for mental health support
Why Self-Care Is Hard For Depressed Individuals – Psychology Today
Why You Struggle With Self-Care – NAMI (National Alliance On Mental Illness)
10 Ways To Reduce Stress By Decluttering Your Life – Huff Post
transatlantic | notes 
Very applicable at 15.5 weeks pregnant LOL. Thanks for sharing!
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You’re so welcome (and congratulations)!
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great tips, specially during this time most people are dealing with anxiety for the pandemic situation!
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It has been such a hard time for many, hopefully anyone going through a tough time can find some help with these tips. Thanks for reading!
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Great read. So much information and helpful tips. Thanks for sharing this.
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You’re welcome — thanks for reading!
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Such a good post. This is the type of post I like reading that doesn’t make you feel bad if you are sometimes just too tired. Great tips
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I am so glad you feel that way about the post, I think being made to feel bad about being tired is so counterproductive. We all have moments where we are just depleted, and that’s okay! Thanks for reading!
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Great ideas especially as I have energy issues right now.
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Glad it’s been of some help!
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Lovely tips, especially about giving permission to let go, that’s one I need to remember! Lisa
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I need to remember that one too so wanted it as number one, haha! As soon as I do it, I create space to actually do things that help me self-care and get to a point where I can get back to doing the things I’ve had to leave for a while. Thanks so much for stopping by!
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I always love getting out in the sunshine (if it’s out of course). I need to find my ‘origami/colouring’, it might just be writing that helps with my creative outlets, which then de-stresses me. Great tips there 🙂
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I love creative things that soothe or let me just zone out for a bit (writing poetry is another one for me too) — knitting also helps me but I’m terrible at it, haha! Thanks for reading!
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I love these tips! I never think to diffuse oils when I’m feeling stressed.
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I find them so wonderful, and at one point when my sleep was bad, I used a lavender oil diffuser at night to soothe me — it helped so much. Thanks for reading!
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Love the number one about giving yourself permission to let some things go. Sometimes we just have to say not right now so can take a step back and recharge our batteries.
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Exactly! I’ve piled on the pressure with thinking I have to do everything but as soon as I gave myself permission not to do them, I gave myself the space to start caring for myself so that I can get back to doing those things. Thanks so much for stopping by!
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I always feel so much better when I take an item or two off my list of things to do and just accept that it isn’t going to happen. I love scented candles for just sitting and breathing for a while. Or ASMR!!! Xx
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I love the idea of ASMR — what a great tip! I have a few scented candles I’ve not used yet so that is really useful (I’m going to try it tonight). Thanks for reading!
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Thanks for this! I am the type who usually feels lazy to do anything when I am ovewhelmed at work or life. Will bookmark these tips x
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I am the exact same way — I just reach a point when I am overwhlemed where my energy is so low I struggle to self-care so I’m working on finding better ways to do it in those moments. Thanks for reading!
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Thanks for so many amazing tips. I really need this.
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You’re welcome — I’m glad they were of some use!
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Great tips! I find the getting a little sunshine one to be especially useful for me when I’m feeling in a funk. Lots of clutter tends to cause a bit of anxiety for me as well, so that’s very helpful. I like the theme of starting slow and being kind to yourself. Thank you!
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I definitely feel anxiety when my home gets a bit cluttered — which itself, for me, is a sign I am struggling a bit — so being able to sort a cupboard or a drawer really helps. Thanks for reading!
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Great tips and thanks for the extra links at the bottom! I often suffer and let go tasks such as laundry 😖
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I’m so glad you like them — and, same with the laundry!
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Brilliant post and so apt right now. There’s so many things I want to do, sometimes just breathing takes my energy and that’s ok! If all I can do is breathe then I’m winning!
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I revisit this post myself as I’m really lagging in energy lately — I’m so happy you’ve found it useful!
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Great tips, thanks for sharing them! I have a little book with mandala and I use to colour them every time I feel overwhelmed by the events. It really helps me 🙂
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I enjoy colouring those too, they really help take my mind off things for a while. Thanks for stopping by!
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Great post! I have been trying to spend more time on self-care lately. These tips are perfect for me. None of them are too complicated or time consuming, so they are easy to fit into my day. Thanks for sharing!!
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I’m so glad you have found them useful — I go through stages where I need to do some self-care but just don’t have the energy. These fit perfectly into those moments as they are so easy to do! Thanks for commenting!
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These are all just really good tips for self-care. So important even in the best of times, and even more so now that so many people are struggling. If we don’t take care of ourselves now, big problems can result later. Great post!
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I’m glad you found these useful because you’re so right that these times are a real test. Thank you so much for reading!
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These are some lovely ideas, I’ll definitely be implementing some of them today!
Saph x
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I am so happy they were useful — thank you so much for stopping by!
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