Self-care is not selfish!!
Let that phrase sink in for a moment. What comes up for you when I say that self-care is not selfish? For some of us, it may be a relief to hear someone saying that self-care is not selfish but rather a necessity. For others it may bring up feelings of guilt. When we take care of ourselves, we are honoring our body and mind. We are sending a message to others around us that to take care of one’s self is an essential action that needs to be taken every day to feel sane and healthy. Imagine if we never serviced our cars, they would definitely break down and eventually not work any longer. As humans, our bodies are also like a well-oiled machine, which needs tender love and care.
Think about what holds you back from taking care of yourself
Take a moment and now think about what hinders you from taking some time to dedicate to your own body and mind. Is it lack of time? Not enough space or desire? Too much on your to-do list? Feelings of guilt or shame? What is it that holds you from taking care of yourself? For some of us daily life and routine can keep us from focusing in on ourselves because we are pulled in multiple directions every day. Whether it’s school, job, family life, kids, or other obligations, busyness has a way of keeping us from taking a break. Now many people feel that self-care is too time-consuming or that it can take hours to dedicate to. Taking a few minutes to hours for yourself, self care can look different for everyone. So my question for you is this, what have you done for yourself today that helps you take care of your body, mind and heart? If nothing, then here are three suggestions to get started with.
Go be in nature
Take a walk outside. Whether 5 minutes or 15 minutes, science proves that fresh air, nature is good for the heart and soul. Ride a bike, go for a jog, or just skip around the block, allow yourself to be emmersed in nature and be silly with yourself. Let your heart feel lighter and smile. Nature is good for the soul, it allows us to find our grounding with mother earth.
Connect with others
Sometimes all we need is some connection with our loved ones. Post COVID lockdown, many of us became too familiar with isolation and loneliness. Meeting in person became suddenly foreign to us. I challenge you today to call that friend you’ve been wanting to see and make a date to go out for a walk, drink a cup of tea/coffe with, share a nice meal together. Don’t let isolation become your sidekick. Reach out and connect with people who bring you joy.
Practice Mindfulness
Slow down, breathe and rest. In our fast-paced world, it is easy to go from one task to the next to the next, losing track of time by the second. Practice mindfulness each day with simple tasks, as simple as brushing your teeth or eating a meal. Slow down your movements, notice the sensations in your body, be mindful of your actions.
