First, let me just say that Self Care is NOT Selfish.
By definition Self Care is : the practice of individuals looking after their own health using the knowledge and information that is available to them.
Self Care in itself is a decision making process that empowers an individual to look after their own health and mental well being with or without professionals as needed. It gives you the incentive to improve your quality of life and allows you to have a key role and a crucial part of your well being in all stages of your life.
No matter what you do for a living, where you live or how old you are self care is such an important thing to do.
I personally do self care every single day, as well as, I do something special for myself at least once a month. Being able to take care of myself and my mental well being allows me to be able to better take care of the ones I love most. Whether I'm taking 5-10 minutes everyday to sit in silence or meditate or I'm getting lunch for myself I make sure that I am taking care of me.
"Rest and Self Care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel"
-Eleanor Brown
Author
This saying is so absolutely true! Making sure that you are not giving from an empty cup allows you to better care for yourself and others.
So, you have been thinking about doing some self care BUT you just can't seem to find the time, or not sure what you can do, or not sure where you can start.......
Well, guess what..... You are in luck! Below is just a small list of some self care ideas. These ideas that are listed are some that I personally do. Believe me, if I can incorporate even the smallest one into my day everyday so can you!
So without further ado ..... Let's get started!
Just a few ideas to get you started with some self care
#1 - Get Plenty of sleep
I know this one may seem like an easy one and it is, but it is also an important one. By making sure that you get enough sleep at night you are ensuring that you are able to have the energy that you need to accomplish your day to day activities without running off of fumes and heading towards a burnout.
Stick to a schedule and do your best to make sure that you are getting enough sleep each night. The blue light from devices and screens can make it harder to fall asleep at night.
#2 - Take time out for you
Doing this can be something such as taking 5-10 minutes to just sit in silence to clear your mind. You could meditate before or when you go to bed. You could also schedule yourself in some self care. By that I mean block off some time on your calendar just for you.
Whether that means you get a massage or just simply do nothing. By scheduling time on your calendar you are ensuring that you have a dedicated time just for you. It doesn't matter what or how much time you carve out for you, just that you take some time out for yourself.
#3 - Exercise
I know, I know..... sometimes even I stumble through this one with my busy schedule. But even with doing something as simple as taking a walk in nature or at the park or hell even around the block you are giving your body and your brain the rest and reset it needs. A well oiled machine cannot constantly run and do its job efficiently when it's always on. Give your mind and body a reset by getting out in nature, try a new exercise routine or better yet have an exercise buddy!
Even just walking 30 minutes a day can boost your mood and improve your health. Small amounts of exercise add up. So don't get discouraged if you can't do the full 30 minutes at once. Start small and work your way up.
#4 - Practice Gratitude and Positivity
This is a BIG ONE!!!
There are SO many wonderful things in your life to be grateful and have gratitude for. It can be from when you first wake up and have gratitude to be able to enjoy another day. The love of family (it doesn't have to be blood related, soul families are a BEAUTIFUL thing) and friends, your business and the work you do, the people you inspire and help..... The list can go on and on. But the point is to have gratitude for the things, people , etc that are in your life and mean the most and matter to YOU.
What I have found that helps me is to have a gratitude journal ( a regular writing journal is fine as well). Everyday I write down the things that I am grateful for. When you write them down be specific.
Positivity! This one can be hard at times especially when those negative and unhelpful thoughts begin to creep in and intrude our thoughts. A way that you can combat this is when you feel a negative thought begin to bubble up to the surface..... Pause....... take a minute if you need it and recognize the negative thought for what it is...... a negative thought and when you recognize the thought spin the thought to a positive one. Having a positive mindset has such a HUGE impact on not only self care but the wellness of the body in general.
If you find this one to be particularly difficult to do, it's ok, having a positive mindset towards things and life in general can be difficult at times but a way that has helped me is...... YES.... you got it, journaling! Journaling is such a beautiful way to get stuck thoughts out of your system and onto paper. By doing this it allows the body to not store that stuck energy and helps the body's energy system to flow with ease.
#5 - Do Something You Love
Whether you take up a new hobby, enroll in a class you've been wanting to take, cook a new recipe or simply de-clutter a closet you have been wanting to do ( Yeah, this one is Sooo me). Do something that ignites and sparks the flames within you and brings you joy and a smile to your face.
In Closing
Self care looks different for everyone and it is important to find what you need and enjoy. Try not to overthink it! When it comes to self care for yourself there is no right or wrong answer, just the right answer for you!
In addition, self care overall, is not a cure for any mental illness or dis-ease but it will help you understand and pinpoint any causes or triggers that may cause any symptoms. It may also help you to discover coping techniques that may help you with your mental health.
So know that self care is NOT selfish and in fact it is very important for your mind, body as well as your soul.
No matter what you do for self care, take some time out for yourself and take care of yourself!
Need some guidance on your journey and tapping into your spiritual gifts? Need clarity on your purpose? With the help of your spiritual team I would LOVE to help you along and with your journey.
Click the link below to start your journey today!
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