7 tips for prioritising your wellbeing

Living a healthy and balanced life is a dream for many, but when it comes down to it, it's not always easy to find the time to prioritise yourself. Read more about how Rebecca Samuelsson, a physiotherapist with a hectic schedule, balances her wellbeing with all of life's daily demands.

A lot to fit in

There's so much to do in a year, and often a lot to fit in. Hobbies, travel, holidays, exercise, wellbeing, and then there's the puzzle of daily life. Rebecca often has jam-packed days and has worked for a long time to find a balance between prioritising herself and managing all her daily commitments.

“The foundation for me is to always feel as good as possible and to prioritise myself for a sustainable life,” Rebecca explains. To manage her job, children, partner, and herself, she says her priorities shift throughout the year. “I don't just periodise my training, but also many different parts of my life. In some periods, I focus heavily on running; in others, I take it easier and focus on elements of yoga and light strength training.”

The importance of priorities

After her maternity leave, Rebecca was ready to start working again, which meant a lot of prioritising to make room for her job in an already busy life.
“Before I went back to work, I did a lot of soul-searching. What do I want to prioritise? Which people do I want to spend time with to gain energy? Who should I stop prioritising altogether? How should I focus on my job, and how will I find time to prioritise my relationship?” By working through all these questions and considering what was most important to her, Rebecca was able to find a balance between work, motherhood, her partnership, and her own wellbeing.

“Something that was very important to me was having the opportunity to prioritise and focus on myself,” she says. “Now, looking back on the first half of 2023, I'm really proud of how it's gone.” To be able to prioritise herself, Rebecca has followed several steps she set for herself.

Rebecca's tips for making time for yourself

• Prioritise sleep. Sleep, sleep, and more sleep. A consistent sleep schedule provides essential recovery and the energy you need to get through the day.

• Schedule your workouts for the week. Make sure to set aside time for movement and exercise – big or small. Don't be afraid to ask for the time you need to prioritise your activities.

• Put your phone away during quality time. Whether it's with your children, partner, or friends – put your phone away and be present.

• Stick to your routines. Create routines that make you feel good and contribute to a healthier daily life, both mentally and physically. Set an intention for how you want to feel.

• Eat regularly and maintain a balanced diet. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with some snacks in between. Eating regularly gives your body and mind the energy to get through the day.

• Support your body with supplements. Rebecca's favourites are Everyday and Multi Mineral, which help her perform during her runs and recover afterwards. Other favourites are iron, vitamin D, zinc and magnesium.

• Know that it's okay not to perform at your peak 24/7. To get through intense periods, you also need periods of recovery and rest – and that's perfectly okay!