I’ll say, 2020 has certainly been an “interesting” year… Is that the right word? (As I smile…) I cannot believe it’s almost the new year! This year I have seen so many posts on “self-care”, but what is self-care? You can simply put it as taking care of yourself. Sure. But let’s think about it. How “easy” is it for you to spend time alone or do something just for yourself? Self-care is not only about physically caring for yourself, but also mentally and emotionally. Self-care is about your overall well-being; again, your heart, your mind, and your body. It is figuring out what your needs are and prioritizing what is important to you, for you.
When you practice self-care, you are practicing self-improvement. You look inside to figure out what parts of YOUrself physically, mentally, and emotionally that you want to improve and put effort to do so. In these unprecedented times, it is even more critical to take care of yourself. How can you take care of someone else if you do not take care of yourself?
Here are five ways to practice self-care:
- Nourish your body.
Start your day off right with a nutritious meal! I personally was not a breakfast gal while working in the office but working from home has changed me. During breaks, I prepare my daughter breakfast for when she gets up. She’s definitely like her mama and loves to sleep in! By the time she wakes up, I’m typically back to work so it’s ready for her when she comes out of her cave. (Ha!) I use this time to make myself a yummy yogurt or oatmeal bowl with toppings. (Be on the look out, I have a few recipes to share!) Tune into your hunger and enjoy healthy snacks throughout the day. Drink lots of water to stay hydrated; try lemon or cucumber to jazz it up!
See my post “Work Essential Items” for my favorite water bottle!
- Try breathing techniques.
A common breathing technique called grounding pulls you away from the past and future, and helps you focus on the present. I love it, and I hope you do, too!
Take a deep breath and exhale two seconds later. Repeat and look around you. Name 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste.
- Do something to energize yourself.
Get moving! Go out for a walk or have a quick exercise. Take a break; take a power nap. Socialize; call a friend or a family member. I have a friend whose co-worker works a 10-hour shift with a 2-hour lunch period for a meal and exercise. I personally have been loving facetiming my sister during lunch. We catch up on all sorts of things, oftentimes, as we’re both eating lunch. It’s like a virtual lunch date! And when I’m finished, it doesn’t feel like I’ve spent my lunch period “cleaning”, I was catching up with my sister and the kitchen ended up spotless! (Less work for after I’m off of work, yay me!)
- Unplug for the day.
Set time for yourself to unplug from electronics and be present. Silence your phone, step away from the TV or computer (or phone!) and focus on you. I know this may be easier said than done. For me, I try to silence my phone and leave it in another room. It’s so easy to pick up my phone and browse social media, but when it’s out of sight, I try to put it out of my mind and be in the moment. If you have kiddos or other family members with you, this may be easier to do with someone. Tell them “no electronics” and see what comes to mind! Playing with toys? Reading a book? Playing outside? Yes! Anything to unplug and relax!
- Practice mindfulness.
Mindful reading, writing, and listening. I wrote a short “tip of the month” on self-care and loved what I read and learned through Mindful.org.
“Mindful reading: A process of quiet reflection that requires mindful attentiveness, letting go of distracting thoughts and opinions to be fully in the moment.
Mindful writing: A journal can help one cultivate that ability to live in the present, to become fully aware and appreciative of life.
Mindful listening: For listening to be effective, …we need a mind that is open, fresh, alert, attentive, calm, and receptive.”
Learn more about Mindfulness at mindful.org
Up next, see my post “Helping Others Practice Self-Care” for more ways!
Thank you for joining me today! I hope these tips help you become Intune with yourself. Let me know if you’ve tried any of these tips and how it went. I would love to back from you! Goodluck and I wish you all the best during this time! Please stay safe and stay healthy!