What do you do if self-care feels like a luxury you can't afford as a functional trainer?

I had to learn this the hard way. Self-care is not a "reward" after you have burnt out. Self-care is a priority. Self-care doesn't just mean manicures and getting your hair done. It can be a walk in a park, sitting in nature, reading a book, doing an at home face mask. It can be anything that helps calm you and make you feel good. Self-care doesn't need to be time consuming but it does need to be part of your routine. Self-care is essential for mental and physical well-being. Self-care helps you recharge and focus. It is true, that if you cannot take care of yourself, then you cannot properly take care of others. Self-care helps your feel and be your best. When you are at your best you can give your clients and those who matter your best.

Scheduling workouts for clients are a great example to do the same for self-care activities. Even ten minutes of meditation or a quick walk outside can recharge your batteries. It's about quality, not quantity. If you can't afford a full day off, consider short breaks throughout the day to disconnect and refresh. Use resources available to you: a quiet room for stretching, a park for a mindful walk, or even educational podcasts that can inspire and relax you during breaks. Acknowledge what you've done for yourself, no matter how small. This practice helps you recognize the value of self-care. By integrating these moments into your day, you'll create a sustainable habit that supports your physical and mental health

1. Prioritize self-care: Recognize the importance of self-care for your overall well-being and effectiveness as a trainer. 2. Schedule time: Block out dedicated time in your schedule for self-care activities, such as exercise, relaxation, hobbies, or socializing. 3. Set boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between work and personal time to prevent burnout and maintain balance. 4. Practice self-compassion: Be kind to yourself and acknowledge that self-care is essential, not selfish. 5. Find affordable options: Look for low-cost or free self-care activities, such as outdoor walks, meditation, or DIY spa treatments. 6. Seek support: Lean on friends, family, or colleagues for support and accountability in prioritizing self-care.

As I currently sit here with under eye masks and a cup of coffee (with my daily collagen,) I will let you know self-care does not need to be expensive or over the top. I get up early and give myself 30 free minutes to do nothing (first thing in the morning.) It relaxes me and gives me mental clarity. It sets me up for the day. Find ways to disconnect and be with yourself and thoughts. Taking a walk outside, listen to a podcast, sitting near some water are all inexpensive ways to recharge. Also, being this resourceful can help you be creative and adapt in other areas of life.

Prioritizing your health is a form of self-care. Create boundaries that help protect your health, such as keeping certain work hours and not over committing. Getting proper sleep, exercising, eating well, staying hydrated and getting sunlight are all great practices of self-care. These practices can easily be part of your day without being costly or time consuming. These practices can also easily become habits. Try prepping healthy food and snacks for the week. Grab a water bottle with the times and ounces on it. Created an evening routine that preps your mind and body for sleep. Your health is your wealth. When you do not have your health, you can lose everything.

At the end of each day take some time to reflect honestly on the day. How was your day? How do you feel by the end of the day? What did you do for you today? When you take the time to do this, you can see what did and didn't work and make proper changes to make your days better. It also allows you to build positive habits, and reinforce self-care rituals into your life. In fact, many would consider journaling and gratitude practices self-care and a way to give the mind clarity on what is important in life. It also, allows you to track yourself-care which can fall by the wayside if we aren't actively conscious of it.

Just because we are professional coaches doesn't mean we have to master everything. In fact, engaging a coach for ourselves can be a transformative experience, enhancing our capabilities and effectiveness. It might help us gain new perspectives and strategies, which we can then pass on to our clients, making us even better coaches.