Take Time for Self-Care

Through this entire year how many times have you taken time out to “just be”? Just be you, just think about you, what you want and what you need?  How many times did you think about doing something special for yourself, to say thank you to yourself for being SO amazing? Have you been to get a pedicure, facial or massage? Did you think to buy yourself something, just because YOU deserve it? What about taking time out to go for a nice relaxing bath, to exercise or to even take an afternoon nap?

What is this self care?  Well, it’s care provided “for you, by you.” It’s about identifying your own needs and taking steps to meet them. It is taking the time to do some of the activities that nurture you on a deeper level. Self care is about taking proper care of yourself and treating yourself as kindly as you treat others and if you’re like most of us (especially us Moms) it’s rare that we find/take the time to take care of our own needs first.  I mean, lots of us get up and take care of our own basic needs but what about our emotional needs and spiritual needs? Our need to relax and think? Our need for FUN? If you find you’re getting sick more often than you used to, if you’re tired and suffering from mental fog, or if you just can’t find the motivation to do what you once loved to do.  You may find some benefits from a little self care.

Over the next month, a month that most consider the busiest and most stressful month of the year, I challenge you to take time out for some self care.  This can and will look different for each one of us but is an important step in prioritizing our lives for the up and coming New Year.  Here are some ideas I have come up with that may help get you started on this endeavor.

• Schedule a coffee date with a trusted friend and just talk openly and honestly to get everything you need to get out, out. If you don’t feel you can do this with another person, writing in a journal can be very good to get things off your chest and out of your mind so that you can move on in life and stop ruminating.
• Sit outside and listen to the birds. Go for a walk and just listen to nature and feel the sun and wind on your face.
• Practice breathing exercises (there are lots of resources on the internet that can help you).
• Make sure you are eating a well-balanced diet. (I can help you with this!)
• Get enough sleep! Make room in your life for a nap. Rest a while and “recharge”.
• Make exercise a regular part of your routine (a 20-minute walk 3 times a week will do).
• Take a warm bath/shower. Warm water is very soothing and relaxing for tight and tense muscles and for the mind. Adding some Epsom salts can help even more as the magnesium can help relax your muscles even more!
• Listen to music you enjoy.
• Try a yoga class.
• Read a good book.
• Buy yourself a little something—a flower, a candle to enjoy during your bath.
• Plant a garden. (This one may have to wait till the spring.)
• Make room in your schedule for attending a class to learn something new (pottery, a language, painting etc.)

These are not time consuming and not expensive.  You don’t have to put a lot of thought into self care, but it is one of the most nurturing things you can do for your mind, body and spirit on a regular basis.  I hope you find some joy in treating yourself to a little present of self love and care this holiday season. 

Thank you for reading Day Five of the Holiday Health Challenge!  Maybe you can share some new and special ideas that you use in your everyday to take care of yourselves.  I can’t wait to read all the comments below!!