When I say “self care” I’m not just talking about spa days and long, hot soaks in the bathtub… although I am a huge advocate of these things as well 😉
But if we’re being honest, self care is so much more than that. Self care is exercising your mind and listening to your heart. It’s caring for yourself in a way that you feel grounded, connected, and energized from the inside out.
But the truth is modern day life is busy, and it can be hard to find time for real self care. The kind of self care that guides your life in the direction your heart wants it to go.
#1 Meditate
So many women I work with are initially turn their nose up at the idea of meditation. And I get it, it’s hard to get into! Meditation is something that takes practice. In today’s society we are constantly flooded with media. It can be extremely difficult to tune all of that out and focus on a clear mind, but I promise you, it’s worth the patience and practice! I’ve seen meditation change lives.
I love the Insight Timer app. It has tracks for beginners and tons of focused tracks for specific types of meditation. Download it on your phone and prioritize using it every day!
#2 Journal
Journaling is a true form of therapy. It allows you to freely express everything in your head and heart. As you write, you might surprise yourself. There is something so freeing about letting everything flow onto paper. Writing will trigger things in your mind and allow you to release them.
#3 Sleep Well
Sleeping well is a very easy way to prioritize self care. Your body needs 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Be sure to create a routine that allows you to get that much sleep. If you are an iPhone user, there is a bedtime app that can send you a gentle reminder that it’s time for bed and then a soothing alarm to wake you up when you have gotten how much sleep you need.
#4 Exercise
I can’t stress this one enough. Your body AND your mind need exercise. Exercise is a building block for life, for your health, and for your mind. It releases endorphins and serotonin. You have to make it a priority to exercise because it does release that stress you are feeling. It’s truly a form of therapy and has been scientifically proven to help with anxiety and depression. If you need accountability and guidance with exercise, join a wellness program or enroll in classes at a nearby gym or fitness studio. Having that structure will keep you committed and on track.
#5 Be Grateful
Stop each and every day and take count of what you are grateful for. You can type it into a note on your phone or write it in your journal. However you document it, just do it! This allows us to shift our perspective from a place of lack to a place of abundance. This will internally fuel you to figure it out as you move forward, without getting caught up in what you don’t have quite yet.
Don’t feel like you have to incorporate all of these self-care habits into your life at once. Start small and slowly add in additional habits as you master the one before. Before you know it, your routine will be filled with real self care resulting in more happiness and fulfillment in life.
I am hosting a FREE Purposeful Planning Virtual Retreat in January to help you align your goals and habits with what you really want out of life. Sometimes that inner uneasiness is the result of you living out of alignment with your values and true priorities. This retreat will help you gain more clarity on what you truly want so you can put that uneasiness to rest. You can register by following the link below. Hope to see you there!
other posts you might enjoy:
- Is Anxiety Real?
- Post Holiday Detox Tips to Get You Back on Track
- The Life Changing Power of Gratitude: How to Benefit from it Everyday
- Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts that Give Back
- The Health Benefits of Holy Basil Leaf
- How to Combat the Winter Blues
- How To Start Planning For 2020 Right Now
- 5 Ways to Feel More Fulfilled in Life
