Have you ever scrolled through social media and seen “self-care this,” and “self-care that”? When you see that self-care Sunday post, you start to question whether self-care is something you prioritize? Or is it something you view as indulgent or feel you don’t have time for?
To truly be at our best, both for ourselves and the people around us, we need to prioritize some self-care. So what exactly is self-care?
Self-care refers to the practices that supports physical, emotional and mental health. Trust me when I say self-care does not have to be lavish or expensive. It is often the simplest things that make the biggest difference.
For me, self-care is alone time, walking my dogs, making a good meal, and quality time with loved ones. It also depends on my mood, energy, and my time availability.
When working with clients, I help them put together a "Go-To List" that details different types of self-care. Far from indulgent, I encourage my clients to practice self-care in their daily routine & at their own pace. We use this list to limit the hurdle of coming up with an idea on the spot. Sometimes, we can plan for self-care and other times, we squeeze it in when we can. Here are some self-care tips you can try:
Make a grocery list and set aside time to shop for and cook a favorite meal. Taking the time to prepare your favorite meal, then sitting down and enjoying it is a perfect yet easy way to do self-care.
Put on your favorite song while driving or turn off the music as you check-in with yourself.
Enjoy a walk around your neighborhood or at a park. As you are walking, observe what is happening around you. You can also try and tune into your body and really listen to what it needs.
Here are some commonly known, and effective self-care ideas:
Drawing
Coloring
Gym time
Reading
Meditation
Journaling
Creative writing
Calling someone in your support circle
There is no right way to do self-care. Step one is making a list of ideas, so pull out your phone or open your journal and get started!
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