It’s not all bubble baths….
But they do help!
“Self-care has become a new priority – the revelation that it’s perfectly permissible to listen to your body and do what it needs.”
First of all, how does someone figure out what it means to take care of themselves, or what self-care means to them?
Self-care is essential to maintaining a healthy mind-body balance. It is a simple concept, but we often push self-care aside because it seems indulgent or even selfish. The truth is that we must first take care of ourselves in order to effectively help others. In other words, if we do not set aside time for our own self-care, we will be in no position to help anyone else.
Often, we are confused about what self-care really is and what it looks like. At its core, self-care is any activity that recharges you rather than exhausts you. It may take time to learn what that looks like for you and that’s okay. Start listening to your body and heart, and soon you will find what self-care is for you.
What are some good ways to approach self-care each day?
To be the most effective, self-care must be planned and deliberate. You are making an active choice to practice self-care, so treat it the same as any other commitment. Add it to your planner or calendar on your smartphone or announce your plan on social media. Write your plan on a sticky-note and place it on your mirror or coffee maker.
What are inexpensive habits that maintain self-care?
There are countless free or inexpensive ways to practice self-care on a daily basis:
· Check out a book from your local public library and read somewhere quiet.
· Go for a quick walk or run around your neighborhood.
· Take a long, warm bubble bath.
· Take a media vacation and turn off all electronic devices.
· Learn a new hobby or skill on YouTube.
· Turn on the radio and dance it out.
· Go to a public park and enjoy nature.
· Take a nap.
· Practice saying “no” to unnecessary requests of your time or energy.
· Meditate.
…and so on.
I encourage you to take the time to find out what self-care means to you and start to incorporate new habits into your daily life.
IF YOU’D LIKE TO TALK TO A PROFESSIONAL WHO HAS HELPED OTHERS OVERCOME THEIR OVERWHELM AND FIND ACTIONABLE WAYS TO REACH THEIR GOALS, WE WELCOME YOU TO CALL US. WE’D LOVE TO HELP YOU TOO.