The Self-Care Mindset

CHAPTER 5Rethinking Time

“Self‐care doesn't take time away from us; it gives us time back because it's how we spend time better.”

A broadcasting executive came to me on the edge of burnout saying she felt physically, emotionally, and mentally drained. Getting out of bed in the morning had become a challenge while at the same time, she had trouble sleeping through the night. She was constantly anxious and scared, feeling like everything could fall apart at any moment. On top of this, she knew she had been consistently short and impatient with her team and her partner. She was a classic example of someone operating out of a place of chronic survival mode; her body was failing her, and she knew she couldn't keep up this pace much longer.

I agreed with her, given that she did absolutely nothing to self‐care throughout the day—not even the basics. She didn't pause for water or food or even take a moment to breathe. Instead, she lived on coffee as she moved from task to task. Her mind was constantly spinning, stuck in all the problems, focused on what wasn't working.

I asked her to make sure she drank water throughout the day as dehydration alone can cause anxiety, a sense of being overwhelmed, brain fog, fatigue, and irritability. Taking consistent water breaks is the most essential and simplest self‐care tool and performance hack we have. I also asked her to respect her lunch break and eat some real food instead of resorting to eating a protein‐bar on the run. She resisted ...