The Art of Self-care: Tips for Maintaining Creative Energy and Well-being

Author: Mahmud Bezalel

Ah! Yet another week of endless work and limited rest. At times, it seems as though you have been placed in this world solely to work with little time for anything else.

There is the urge to take a break and get that much needed rest. Sadly, the fear of missing deadlines often overrides the need to rest, thereby leading to continuous hours of work.

And then, one fateful day, a day no different from the days that have been, you break down, extremely fatigued. And guess what? The world goes on; the earth does not stop it’s rotation and revolution for even one second in acknowledgement of you.

As harsh as that may sound, it is the truth. Tommy Shelby said “there is no rest for me in this world” but eventually, he had to rest, when the emotional toll was getting too much for him to handle.

Well, it could be that you want to rest but you don’t know how to, because your body has become accustomed to working endlessly. On the other hand, you have spent so much time working that you have hit a dead end; writers call it writer’s block while creatives call it creative’s block. It could have been avoided but you failed to heed the signs.

Say no more! You have come to the right place, champ. Here are tested self-care tips for maintaining creative energy and general well-being:

• Take breaks: Regular breaks during the day can help prevent burnout and keep your creative energy flowing. Tech professionals are usually advised to spend a certain time on and off screens to protect their eyes. This also applies to the mind. Extended periods of work doesn’t help the mind that much.
• Get enough sleep: A well-rested mind is more likely to come up with creative ideas. Sleep! Make sure to prioritize sleep. The “Work Smart, not hard” quote became popularized as a result of people not getting enough sleep.
• Stay active: Physical activity can help boost creativity and improve overall mental health. Sign up at that gym today, or better still, do some light workout everyday. Science has proven that regular exercise prolongs one’s lifespan. It wouldn’t hurt to help prolong the duration of your creativity, would it? No!
• Explore new environments: Changing up your surroundings can inspire new ideals and perspectives. Tour, travel, have adventures, make new friends, but employ wisdom.
• Keep a journal: Writing down your thoughts and ideas can help you stay organized and focused on your creative projects. Also, a journal serves as a portable and nonjudgmental form of therapy.
• Take inspiration from other art forms: Explore music, literature, or other forms of art to find inspiration for your own work. There is no law preventing you as a person in the creative niche from perusing the works of Ludwig Van Beethoven or even Leonardo Da Vinci. The keyboard was suggesting Leonardo DiCaprio. You should check him out too.
• Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness techniques can help reduce stress and anxiety, allowing your creative energy to flow more freely. Also, mindfulness is best experienced when it’s self-taught.
• Celebrate small victories: Recognizing and celebrating your achievements, no matter how small, can help boost your creative energy. You met that deadline, celebrate. You got a really impressive review, celebrate. These little celebrations help in unquantifiable ways.

Cheers to a fantastic weekend 🥂 🥂 🥂