As someone that works in the business of self-care, I know how important it is to make our well being a priority. But it can be hard to truly nurture ourselves when life is constantly getting in the way. Of course, it would be nice to get a weekly massage and/or mani-pedi, but that isn't always a realistic option. The good news is that self care can be nurtured in many other ways. So... what IS self-care? Let's start by defining the meaning of it.
Self-care is an activity that nurtures and refuels us at our deepest levels. It can be physical, emotional, spiritual, relationship based and work driven. Below I've listed various ways to practice self-care in the various realms. As you read these examples, take a moment to identify the areas of your life that need more attention:
Physical Body:
Quality Sleep
Massages
Annual Check-ups
Regular Exercise (Pilates!!!)
Baths
Spending time outdoors
Manicures/Pedicures
Emotional and Mental State:
Laughter
Reading
Traveling
Hobbies
Loving
Crying
Daily routines and rituals
Spiritual Beliefs:
Meditation
Yoga
Forgiveness
Gratitude
Embracing nature
Mindfulness
Relationship to Self:
Daily Journal
Cooking
Positive self-talk
Goal setting
Alone time
Treating yourself
Celebrating your successes
Relationship to Others:
Dating
Joining a club or group
Spending time with friends
Spending time with family
Communicating your wants and needs
Getting involved in your community
Being kind to strangers
Work:
Goal setting
Taking time off
Learning new skills
Self-advocating
Boundary setting
Supporting and acknowledging yourself and others
The ways to engage in self-care are limitless! It's important to give yourself permission to practice self-care in order to have a fulfilling life. Engage in self-care regularly. The ripple effect it has on your personal and professional successes are bountiful. Taking care of yourself actually puts you in the right position to take care of others. It's a win-win!
The truth is that your relationship to self-care will ebb and flow throughout life. The areas that are more important to you during one stage of life might not be as important during another stage, and that's okay. That's the nature of living. The one vital piece that you need to remember is that consistency is key. You must be consistent in your efforts to care for yourself. Always. Without a doubt.
Don't make excuses for why you don't need to nurture yourself. Do it for YOU. Be present in your life and your life will give you presents back. My last piece of advice I have for creating effective self-care rituals is to establish a positive attitude and a determined mind-set. By allowing yourself the opportunity to practice self-care without judgement or negativity, you and those around you will reap the benefits. Your energy and enthusiasm for life will manifest itself in new ways. Don't you want to live the life you've always desired?
This is your chance.
Till Next Time, Amanda