The Self Care Game

Somewhere along the way it became acceptable to run ourselves into the ground, the busier we are means the more successful right? Or the the more we sacrifice the bigger the reward? it easy to take the "hard work pays off" phrase too far to the point that its counter productive and you become worn out, creativity gets lost, the foggy brain sets in and you start to lose focus.

At first I felt silly saying "self care" I felt like it was fluffy and indulgent sounding, but If I have learned anything on my journey its that self care isn't just important, its crucial. When we’re stressed, self care is usually the first thing to go, the gym, a social life, taking a lunch break just don't exist anymore because we're "too busy", but honestly that only makes things worse. Ignoring self care is a sure fire way to run your body and mind into the ground and in return create illness. We know this, how many times has this been you? "oh I burned the candle at both ends and now I have a cold" Having a healthy self care routine actually helps you make progress faster and feel better for a few reasons:

• Self care prevents “overload burnout”: We’ve all been there: you push yourself to the point that you can’t take anymore so you just give up. Self care helps you avoid getting to that point.

• Self care reduces the negative effects of stress: A small amount of stress can serve a purpose, but after a while, it just breaks down your mind and body. Taking care of yourself means keeping your stress from taking over so you can function at full capacity.

• Self care helps you refocus: When I was stuck on a complicated math problem in school, my teacher would suggest walking away and coming back—taking a break, basically. Breaks are the epitome of self care, and studies show they’re great for helping you perform better.

I know I have done this in the past, we treat self care as a reward. When I get XYZ done I can eat lunch, or go out etc. Self care is not a reward. It’s part of the process. Sometimes we get so used to “rewarding ourselves” with lunch or even taking a walk, that we forget exactly what it means to take care of ourselves.

When was the last time you took care of you?

I make a point to do things every week that make me feel good. Now I'm a mom to a 1 year old so some days that is taking a long shower by myself, but It will be different for everyone. Start saying no to those things that fill up your schedule that don't make you "feel" good and start saying yes to all the things that do!

Here are some quick self care ideas for the mind, body and soul that you can incorporate into your day that I love.

Tiny Self-Care Ideas for the Mind

1. Start a compliments file. Document the great things people say about you to read later.

2. Change up the way you make decisions. Decide something with your heart if you usually use your head. Or if you tend to go with your heart, decide with your head.

3. Go for a walk, or a hike. (weather permitting) Take your shoes and socks off and ground your feet in nature, recharge, relax, and take in the fresh air.

4. Take another route to work. Mixing up your routine in small ways creates new neural pathways in the brain to keep it healthy.

5. Goof around for a bit. Schedule in five minutes of “play” (non-directed activity) several times throughout your day.

6. Punctuate your day with a mini-meditation with one minute of awareness of your thoughts, feelings, and sensations; one minute of focused attention on breathing; and one minute of awareness of the body as a whole.

7. Be selfish. Do one thing today just because it makes you happy. (I treat myself to massages and pedicures!)

12. Do a mini-declutter. Recycle three things from your wardrobe that you don’t love or regularly wear. (if you don’t feel good in them, why are you keeping them?)

13. Unplug for an hour. Switch everything to airplane mode and free yourself from the constant bings of social media and email.

14. Get out of your comfort zone, even if it’s just talking to a stranger at the coffee shop.

15. Edit your social media feeds, and take out any negative people. You can just “unfollow” them; you don’t have to delete them. ;)

Tiny Self-Care Ideas for the Body

1. Get down and boogie. Put on your favorite upbeat music, and dance around the house! (One of my favs)

2. Stretch out the kinks. If you’re at work, you can always head to the bathroom to avoid strange looks.

3. Run (or walk, depending on your current physical health) for a few minutes. Or go up and down the stairs three times.

4. Get to know yourself intimately. Look lovingly and without judgment at yourself naked. (I know may sound funny, but I used to HATE my body, now I look at it and love it, imperfections and all!)

5. Make one small change to your diet for the week. Drink an extra glass of water each day, or have an extra portion of veggies each meal.

6. Give your body a treat. Pick something from your wardrobe that feels great next to your skin.

7. Be still. Sit somewhere green, and be quiet for a few minutes.

8. Get fifteen minutes of sun, especially if you’re in a cold climate. (Use sunscreen if appropriate.)

9. Inhale an upbeat smell. Try peppermint essential oil to boost mood and motivation, Citrus Bliss oil to uplift mood and ease anxiousness or doTERRA’s emotional aromatherapy oils.

10. Have a good laugh. Read a couple of funny meme’s, or call the friend that can always make you laugh. Watch Ellen, she makes me laugh so hard sometimes.

11. Take a quick nap. Ten to twenty minutes can reduce your sleep debt and leave you ready for action.

Tiny Self-Care Ideas for the Soul

1. Imagine you’re your best friend. If you were, what would you tell yourself right now? Look in the mirror and say it.

2. Use your commute for a “Beauty Scavenger Hunt.” Find five unexpected beautiful things on your way to work.

3. Help someone. Carry a bag, open a door, ask how they are. Be kind!

4. Check in with your emotions. Sit quietly and just name without judgment what you’re feeling.

5. Write out your thoughts. Go for fifteen minutes on anything bothering you. Journal or write it out on a scrap paper, Then let it go, rip it up and toss it away!

6. Choose who you spend your time with today. Hang out with “Radiators” who emit enthusiasm and positivity, and not “Drains” who are negative and rob us of our energy.

7. Get positive feedback. Ask three good friends to tell you what they love about you.

8. Make a small connection. Have a few sentences of conversation with someone in customer service such as a sales assistant or barista.

9. Splurge a little. Buy a small luxury as a way of valuing yourself.

10. Have a self-date. Spend an hour alone doing something that nourishes you (reading, your hobby, visiting a museum or gallery, etc.)

11. Exercise a signature strength. Think about what you’re good at, and find an opportunity for it today.

12. Take a home spa. Have a long bath or shower, sit around in your bathrobe, and read magazines.

13. Ask for help—big or small, but reach out. (you’re not alone)

14. Plan a two-day holiday for next weekend. Turn off your phone, tell people you’ll be away, and then do something new in your own town.

XO

Andrea