Something I hear a lot is “I’m so stressed but I have no time to slow down and de-stress.” And boy do I get this.

Many of us, due to work, home life and everything in-between, are booked up to our teeth in tasks to get done. And I know, you know it’s important to take care of yourself, but even knowing this we often put ourselves on the bottom shelf, in that far forgotten corner left to collect dust and… whatever else that piles up there.

In a recent podcast episode with industry leader Shannon Crow on the popular podcast, The Connected Yoga Teacher, Shannon and I discussed how hard it can be to connect with and show up for ourselves—even as yoga teachers and coaches! So often we get this rap that since we work in the holistic, wellness industry we must always be in a completely Zen state—a life of bliss. How I wish that was the case!

But the reality is we are also just as likely to get overwhelmed, stressed out and burned out as most other industries—and sadly, because of the public expectation of our industry, we tend to place that image on ourselves which can mean that we struggle to ask for the help that we need, because, "I know better."

Can you identify with this, too?

It is imperative that EVERYONE, no matter what industry they work in or who they’re taking care of, takes time for themselves. Time to check-in, breathe and unplug. Even for just a few minutes. The more we show up for ourselves consistently, a) the better we feel and b) the easier it is to continue to show up for ourselves. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy, especially when we feel overloaded.

One of the examples I gave on The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast, Episode 328, was habit stacking. When we feel we have no time, a great way to start giving back to ourselves is to pause, slow down and be mindful.

My suggestion to help you get started with this, especially if you’re feeling stressed out, exhausted and overwhelmed, is to pick one thing you already do on a daily basis (brushing your teeth, washing your face, taking a shower, having a cup of tea/coffee, etc) and really bring your awareness to it.

• Notice how you are feeling physically, intellectually and emotionally. No judgement, meet yourself with compassion.
• Notice how you’re breathing: is your breath fast/slow, shallow/deep, in your chest/in your abdomen or rib cage, etc.
• Use your senses to tune into the self-care routine: what can you see, what can you hear, what can you feel/touch, what can you smell, what can you taste? (If there is any sense you can’t connect with for whatever reason that’s okay)
• When you finish your the self-care task check back in again: do you notice any difference in your breath? Do you feel more at ease and focused? Etc.

It doesn’t have to take a lot of time, but these little shifts in our awareness can make a HUGE difference in how we show up for ourselves AND how we show up for others.

No matter what industry you’re in, no matter what demands that you have on your plate, you NEED that time—even just a few minutes a day—so you can stay healthy, mentally and physically, so you can feel happy and joyful, and so you can better share it with those around you.

And trust me, I know this isn’t always easy. These last couple weeks have been incredibly difficult for me and showing up for myself hasn't been easy. But every time I do, I absolutely notice the difference.

And please, don’t forget to reach out to those around you. We all need support, whether it’s from family, friends, colleagues or professionals. If things are getting crazy and you’re feeling overwhelmed, please ask for support.

To listen to my conversation with Shannon Crow and the tools we shared on The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast, CLICK HERE

If you're looking for more one-on-one support, book a free 30-min Burnout Breakthrough with me.