Do You Need a Little TLC?
With jobs and children and bills to pay, who has time for self-care? You do—even if it doesn’t feel like it! It’s easy to feel guilty when you take a day off, but neglecting self-care causes all kinds of problems. Stop the snowball effect in its tracks by recognizing these 20 signs.
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1. You’re Always Tired
Sleep suffers most when we’re anxious. Little to no self-care often leads to a relentless cycle of stress, poor sleep habits, and constant fatigue. If that cup of coffee doesn't jolt you awake, it’s time to invest in some me-time.
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2. You’re Eating Poorly
Some days we barely have the energy to get out of bed let alone cook a balanced meal. However, there’s a difference between the odd Big Mac and takeout every night. It might not seem like it, but those microwaved dinners and brown paper bags only make you feel worse.
3. You’re Always Negative
It’s hard to wear a smile from the trenches. A lack of self-care means a lack of good health, so don’t be surprised if you snap more often. On top of everything else, stress won’t do any favors at work or with your partner.
4. You’re Ignoring Major Symptoms
It’s easy to feel invincible when you’re young, but don’t ignore glaring symptoms. Self-care is so much more than face masks, so if you experience persistent physical symptoms or a noticeable dip in mental health, it’s time for an appointment.
5. You Don’t See Anyone
There was a time when seeing friends boosted your battery—nowadays it’s just one more thing to do. Skimping on self-care drains us in all kinds of ways, meaning you’ll slowly pull away from loved ones, and hurt your happiness even more.
6. You Can’t Concentrate
Brain fog is a classic red flag. After all, how could you possibly focus with all that weight on your shoulders? If you notice a serious problem with concentration, chances are you aren’t paying enough attention to your body’s signals.
7. You Don’t Want Adult Time
Our drives suffer without proper self-care, making time in the boudoir a thing of the past. Though you’ll still experience impulses, your hormones take a hit if you don’t do anything about it, which only exacerbates underlying problems.
8. You Have Physical Symptoms
Sometimes stress is so great that even our bodies react. Muscle cramps and uncomfortable tingling are telltale signs you need to slow down. Should those sensations persist, it’s even more reason to book an appointment.
9. You’re in Debt
Self-care extends past our mental and physical well-being. Financial responsibility eliminates a lot of crushing stress—look for ways to spend less, don’t order out all the time, and try to squirrel away something in your savings.
10. You’re Unhappy at Work
Mundane jobs zap the life out of anyone, but self-care can also mean embracing change. While it’s not always feasible to up and leave a job, there’s nothing wrong with exploring your options and chasing after what you really want.
11. You Guzzle Coffee
From poor sleep patterns to nonstop stress, it seems like coffee is the only lifeline we have. Though a morning mug is hardly unheard of, three to four daily cups further inhibit sleep patterns. You’ll also jitter, find it harder to concentrate, and develop more anxiety.
12. Your Skin’s Dry
A lack of skincare leaves problem areas in the lurch. Our feet and hands often suffer the most neglect, especially in the wintertime. Lather both with cream and treat yourself to a little massage in the process.
13. You’re Getting Sick
It’s true and it’s unfortunate—we’ll catch at least one cold a year. But one cold sounds better than four or five, doesn’t it? Chronic stress, a lack of sleep, and poor dieting all contribute to greater risks of illness, so try to take care of yourself!
14. You’re Losing Track
When was the last time you did something for yourself? If you can’t remember, it’s time to pamper yourself. You’re never too busy to go for a nice bath or treat yourself to a proper meal.
15. You’re Way More Stressed
People forget how detrimental chronic stress actually is. Fretting over every little thing affects sleep patterns and eating habits, but also increases your risk for serious health conditions like depression and heart attacks.
16. You Surprise Yourself
No one knows you better than you, so you’ll likely recognize behavioral changes. If you surprise even yourself with how snippy you’ve gotten or how tired you feel, it’s time for a change.
17. You’re Neglecting Water
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! We can’t stress it enough. Drinking water eliminates waste, regulates your body temperature, and protects your organs. It also helps with constipation and wards off nasty headaches.
18. You Have Changes in Appetite
Eating poorly is one thing, but it’s another to experience changes in appetite. Whether you stress eat or avoid food altogether, they’re both classic signs you need a little TLC.
19. You’ve Lost Interest
Hobbies get us out of our shells and express creativity—when we’re struggling, they’re one of the first things to suffer. It’s easy to forego the paintbrush with too much stress and not enough sleep.
20. You Have More Vices
Just one more cup of coffee. Just one drink after work. Just one more cigarette. Those vices only disguise themselves as self-care. In reality, they’re harmful bandaid solutions that don’t solve anything. In fact, they often only make it worse.
