How to Make Time For Your Health Among the Hustle

Pop the bubbly and pull out your sequins, friend! I’ve officially hit “publish” on 100 posts here on the Make + Manifest Blog and I couldn’t be more proud of this resource library that’s been years in the making and continues to grow strong…all with Y-O-U in mind. It’s been my dream from the beginning to make pelvic and women’s health accessible, actionable, and attainable through this space, and as long as you’re here – learning & growing & being encouraged – consider me committed to living this wild wellness ride (and sharing alllllll about it) right alongside ya.

Now…I know when I hear 100 blog posts, the first thing I wonder is how the heck we’re supposed to make time for all this *waves arms frantically* – the morning routines, pelvic floor exercises, daily journaling, whole food eating, and toxin-free living (to name a few). As a firefighter wife, toddler mom, pelvic floor physical therapist by day, and multi-passionate woman between all of the above, creating the time, energy, budget, and bandwidth for self-care can be hard…like seriously hard.

But I’m excited to report that you don’t have to choose…between hustle & health, busy & balance, work & wellbeing.

Trust me when I say – there’s a way to fit in (or finagle or squeeeeeeze if you have to) the needs and wants of your body, mind, heart and soul, even if your to-do list is miles long or Google calendar’s seen quieter days. My life has never been crazier than it is now, but I’ve somehow also never been happier and holistically healthier than I currently am either.

I thought this big blog milestone would be the perfect opportunity to share the secrets to how I’ve gotten [here]…and it’s really not as hard as you might think if you just follow these tips.

Ditch the guilt

If taking time for yourself and your health feels selfish or even scary…listen up. We’ve gotta push past the mom guilt, work pressure, and life “obligations” if we’re gonna effectively and excitedly prioritize self care. Those 92167432985 people depending on you – they want your best, but your ability to be that bright, balanced, most ambitious version of you they’re expecting requires you to exercise that whole “put on your own face mask first” mentality sometimes too.

Research shows your level of health & wellness directly influences your children, your marriage, your work performance, and how you contribute to society. So creating time for a little (or a lotta) TLC isn’t just for you…it’s for others you care about too! Keep that in mind the next time you choose a detox bath over their bedtime routine, a peaceful night at home over a party, or date night over a deadline, because there’s #noshame in acknowledging your worth and #noregrets when REGULARLY putting your health first.

Define health for you

“Health” is unique to everyone – by definition and in different life seasons – so this is your permission slip to drop the expectations and ditch the comparison game. Getting clear on how you want to feel (physically, mentally, & emotionally) and the time and energy you have to get there is the first step to creating realistic rituals and routines, and ultimately reaching those personalized and practical wellness goals.

Twenty minutes in the gym “counts” when your explanation of exercise is consistent and intentional movement. Filling your plate with whole foods “matters” even if you didn’t math out the macros. Reading right before bed is “worth it” when you’re into learning, self-improvement, or even a little fictional escape. I’m all for big goals and putting the pedal to the metal, but when it comes to health…aligning effort and energy is key to seeing success and sustainability.

Make [this] list

While I wish my self-care looked like slow mornings spent sipping hot coffee and bubble baths long enough to prune my fingers, 99% of the time my current situation is more like multitasking, manipulating schedules, and finding spare minutes to do something (even just a liiiiiittle something) for me. If you can relate, then keeping a physical or mental list of soul-filling & life-giving activities that fit into said spare moments will be your saving grace.

For me this looks like deep breathing when driving, doing my skincare routine while Sloan’s in the bath, getting outside during my lunch break, cooking healthy meals on the weekends, and stretching while my leftovers heat back up. When you’re able to recognize these small opportunities and have your list of ways to fill them ready to go, those self-care boxes start getting checked and it’s still just as fulfilling.

Good ol’ airplane mode

When I find myself saying, “I just don’t have time”, the first place I look is my phone’s screen time report. Because when I should be sleeping, I’m probably scrolling; when I could be working out, I’m likely weeding through emails. But with the simple click of that little airplane icon, I *magically* have space for the things that matter more…health and wellness goals included.

Now let’s be clear, phones aren’t all evil. In fact, with a bit of mindfulness, select apps, podcasts, and some social media accounts can certainly contribute to our wellbeing. But in those times you habitually reach for your phone – for me it’s after Sloan goes to bed, replace it with a self-care activity instead (from that go-to list you made above *wink wink*) and you’ll be more relaxed, refreshed, and renewed by spending that time differently…intentionally…more effectively.

Create (doable) routines

Sometimes being creatures of habit can prove more harmful than helpful, but when it comes to making time for health, solid routines are pure gold. From morning rituals to daily journaling, weekly meal planning, and a regular meditations practice, consistency is key and sustainable trumps extravagant every day of the week.

If you could use a little help in this department, you’ve gotta read “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. His tip on “habit stacking” is one I personally use and recommend to my patients who easily “forget” or “get caught up in the day”. When you have a routine, it’s less about motivation (which is lovely, but let’s be honest…only goes so far) and more about discipline – the ultimate antidote to excuses, procrastination, and laziness.

Invite your friends

Everything is better with a bestie by your side, and making time for health is ~thankfully~ no different. From camaraderie to accountability, encouragement, and of course frequent celebrations along the way, working on wellbeing with friends just tends to be more successful. In fact, research even shows friendships motivate you to work harder and improve self-control (aka – prioritize those wellness goals).

This includes joining a gym together, catching up weekly to check-in, taking turns watching each other’s kids, going through an online course together, or simply being that hype-girl who’s just a text message away. Whether they’re your neighbor or insta-acquaintance, involving your squad is a surefire way to make self-care happen.

Remember this…

While current me would argue that pre-marriage, pre-motherhood, pre-blogger Amanda had farrrrrrrr more time, it’s a harsh and humbling reality that we all have the same 24 hours in a day (but seriously…what did I do with all that time!?). I think we can also agree that, in the end, we always make space for the things that matter most, and our health ~should~ fall in that category, even as women who can easily appease and procrastinate our wellbeing with the best of ‘em.

Time for self-care can’t be found. It won’t suddenly waltz its long-lost self through the front door. It needs to be intentionally created and fiercely claimed…with zero qualms and full confidence.

Is it always easy? Hell to the no! While I’ve written 100 blog posts (!!!) with all the health tips and have at least 100 more in me, I still find myself slipping…sliiiiiiiding…and swearing to “start again on Sunday”. But that’s ay-okay, because it’s not about perfection. It’s about prioritizing yourself & health with small daily choices again and again, even after the days you don’t.

I once read “if you don’t make time for your wellness, you’ll be forced to make time for your illness”. Uughfff. This harsh but true statement is yet another reason to unapologetically value our health, and I thank you for letting me be a small part of your journey.

– Amanda

Disclaimer: The content provided here does not constitute medical advice, nor is it a substitute for personalized healthcare. I’m a doctor, but I’m not your doctor. If you have concerns about a medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment, you should consult with a licensed healthcare professional.

Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. No pressure, but I have a feeling you’re gonna like what I’ve taken the time to put my recommendation behind.