"Self-care"... you hear it all the time these days. It's all over Facebook, Instagram, in tons of books, blogs, beauty magazines, etc. BUT – have you ever stopped to think about what "self-care" really is, and whether or not you are practicing self-care in your every-day lives?
Now more than ever before, we are being pulled in a million directions. No wonder we literally have to tell ourselves to practice self-care; otherwise, we simply "wouldn't have the time." With new reaches in technology, we have many more conveniences, but with it comes exponential amounts of added responsibility. I could go into each and every aspect of modern life that is adding to our stresses and spread-thin lives, but I have a good feeling you already know what they are. . . furthermore, I wanted to take the time to devote this month's blog about SELF-CARE; tell you to STOP what you are doing, and prioritize yourself. It's more important than you think for both your mental and physical health. So, pencil yourself in on a daily basis and find a way to take care of YOU.
What is self-care? Well, that is different for every individual... What do you need to feel recharged and whole as a human being? What helps you to feel rested and refreshed? Although it varies from person to person, I have compiled a list of ideas below to get you started; some things to ponder. At the end of the day, the moral of my writing is to tell you to really STOP and take good care of yourself.
Below are a few ideas to get you started:
- PUT DOWN YOUR CELL PHONE
- Take a break from social media
- Try to get more sleep than you have been
- Go outside and get some fresh air
- STOP, take a breath, now take another one, and another
- Live within the moment rather than thinking about past or future (try to let your mind rest)
- Meditate
- Get a good workout, whatever that means to YOU
- Say NO to plans and do what you need to re-charge
- Take some time to eat healthy and nourish your body
- Take vitamins
- Make the decision to truly eliminate toxic people from your life
- Read a good book
- Turn the lights off and give you eyes a rest, including from cell phones
- Turn off the tv, radio, and all other sources of sound... allow yourself to relax in the silence
- Take a nice, long, hot bath
- Finally get that massage or facial you have been wanting
- Drink more water and do it routinely
- Stretch
- Declutter your home by giving away things that don't bring joy to your life
- Binge on a good season of something you love and DO NOT feel guilty about it
- Go out for a good meal or cook a good meal in your home
- Have a good conversation with someone you enjoy spending time with
- Cut the small talk
- Cut the fat from your life
- Color in a coloring book
- ART!
There are a million other ways that you can practice self-care, just remember to stop and take time for yourself and do them.
What are some ways that you currently practice self-care? What are some ways you would like to start incorporating?