Self Care Isn’t About Luxury
In a world brimming with constant demands from work and life, and distractions like social media and the latest Netflix special, taking the time to prioritize our well-being becomes not just a luxury, but a necessity. While you might think of spa days, mani-pedis, YOLO shopping, and lush or cozy vacations when you think of self-care, that’s not what we’re talking about here today.
While face masks, and cozy mountain vacations are nice, this is not what’s at the heart of true self-care for holistic living, self-preservation and overall wellness. While these indulgences have their place, true self-care goes beyond surface-level pampering.
Truly nurturing yourself and learning to meet your most basic needs is what real self-care is all about. So that when it comes to something like a manicure and a face mask, or a weekend vacation with your boo, these feel more like a cherry on top of the cake, than using a defibrillator on a flatlining patient. Self-care should be preventative, and act on the offensive to anchor you in the storm of life. It shouldn’t be something you turn to only when the bough breaks, and the water is flooding into the boat.
Self-care is about nurturing your Mind, Body, and Spirit in a way that fosters genuine well-being and resilience.
Naturally, self-care is multifaceted, and can look different for each individual, and ranges from simple day to day practices that replenish our energy to deeper introspective work that fosters profound self-awareness, and confidence. Whether it looks like carving out moments of tranquility amidst the chaos of our lives, like daily meditation, or cultivating regular habits that nourish our Mind, Body, and Spirit, like a creative pursuit, self-care encapsulates a spectrum of actions that enable us to not just survive, but thrive.
Real self-care empowers you to lead a life filled with vitality, balance and authentic joy!
Below, I’m offering 15 TIPS to help you cultivate deeper, and more nourishing self-care practices in your life, right now:
Listen to Your Body - Tune in to your body's signals and honor its needs. Whether it's telling you to get enough sleep, stay hydrated, or indulge in nutritious meals, prioritize the foundations of physical well-being by settling into your Body, your home, and giving it what it needs the most. This can feel like wanting to move, or rest. Sometimes it can be about regulating your nervous system. You will only know if you slow down long enough to listen to your body.
Set Boundaries - We talked about this in regards to self-worth… Learn to say no to commitments that drain your energy and yes to activities that replenish you. Setting boundaries is essential for preserving your mental and emotional health. If you’re someone who find themselves people-pleasing, or over-extending and giving too much, you’re not setting enough boundaries in your life, and you’re putting everyone else ahead of yourself, and I imagine you’re either on the edge of, or completely burned out and depleted. It’s important to learn when to say no.
Practice Mindfulness - Incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine through meditation, deep breathing exercises, journaling, or simply paying attention to the present moment. Cultivating awareness, and learning to be present, can help reduce stress and increase resilience. This is also an incredible practice for learning to regulate your nervous system. If you are “UP”, meaning you’re anxious, or wired, and need to down-regulate, something like breath work, journaling, or meditation is a great option. However, if you are “DOWN”, meaning you’re in a freeze state, depressed, or avoidant, something like a walk outside, slow but intentional movement like yoga, or talking to a trusted friend or partner is going to be the right option for you.
Lean Into Joy - Find small pockets of joy throughout your day and soak it in the gratitude! A hot cup of coffee, petting your animals, a good meal, a text from a good friend, a cute outfit… all of it! Romanticize your life! Make as many things as you can feel fun, joyful or “extra.” It can really fill you up with gratitude for the little things that you have. Leaning into joy not only calms the Mind and resets the nervous system, but it feeds the Spirit!
Connect with Nature - Spending time outdoors can have PROFOUND effects on your mental health and overall well-being. Take a walk in the park, breathe in the fresh air, and soak up the sunlight. There is a ton of research proving how good this is for you. Get outside!
Unplug - Put your phone down, friend. In today's digital age, it's essential to consciously disconnect from our screens. Disconnecting allows your brain to reset and disengage and calm down. Set aside dedicated time for digital detoxes to recharge and reconnect with yourself. Wind down the night by putting your phone away, on the charger, on Do Not Disturb, and leave it there, at least an hour before bedtime. There is so much research on why this is healthy for you!
Create - Speaking from experience… Tapping into your creative side and expressing what’s going on inside of you, through activities like painting, writing, dancing or playing music can be cathartic and nourishing for the Spirit. Painting is an incredibly spiritual practice in my own life. It is crucial for our well-being to find healthy ways to process our emotions, and getting creative, I’ve found, is one of the best ways possible.
Prioritize Rest & Relaxation - Carve out time for restorative activities that promote relaxation, such as taking a hot bath, somatic movement (nervous system regulation), or practicing gentle stretching. This is where some of those spa practices can come into play. I love an at-home spa night with a face mask, and a mani-pedi, and sitting on my massage pad. Whatever it looks like for you, it’s important to carve out time to intentionally relax your Mind and Body.
Practice Self-Compassion - We spoke about this in regards to self-worth as well… Be gentle with yourself and treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer to a friend, or your inner child. Embrace imperfection and celebrate your progress, no matter how small. Small right actions are what amount to big change. Being compassionate with yourself is far healthier than being hard on yourself, and, I say it all of the time… you cannot shame yourself into change, you have to love yourself through an evolution.
Be Proactive About Your Health - See your doctors, take any supplements you might need, get annual screenings, see the dentist, optometrist, etc. If you need a chiro, see one. If you need an ortho, see one. Don’t put off your health, ever. This is also about eating good food, getting your water in, moving your body in ways that feel good to you, and getting adequate rest. Put your health first, always, because most of the time, no one else is going to do that for you.
Read More - Fill yourself with knowledge, arm yourself with understanding, it makes you feel less alone, which is key for mental well-being. There are so many times I read something, and think YES, someone has articulated exactly what I’m thinking and feeling in a profound way, I’m not wrong or crazy! Additionally being an avid reader supports overall brain health.
Schedule Time Off - Here comes the vacation, or the stay-cation, or whatever that looks like for you. I say this all of the time… your job, whatever it is, will get on just fine without you for a few days, or even weeks! There is no reason you should ever work yourself into the grave. Our lives are meant to be lived, not worked away. Make time to get out of town, or simply stay-cation at home and nest… whatever that looks like for you, make sure it’s affordable and relaxing!
Get Clear on Your Values - When you live in alignment with your values, you are living with integrity, which feels way better than living a life you don’t want to be living, as someone that you are not (this is also exhausting on the nervous system). Get clear on what matters to you, and lean into those things, while also getting away from the things that don’t align with who you are, or who you want to become.
Nurture Your Relationships - Make sure that the people are you spending quality time with are truly your people, and pour love into those relationships. Check in regularly, schedule time to see each other. Show up in ways that feel good for you, and them! Whether it be friends, family, partners or colleagues, nurture the relationships that nurture you back, and distance yourself from the relationships that don’t.
Pray - This one is wildly contingent upon what you believe, but one of the 8 Key Factors of Full Circle Wellness is Faith/Spirituality, in which I encourage you to believe in SOMETHING… God, the Universe, Spirit, Source Energy, The Force, intuition, whatever works for YOU. And then pray. And not just for things you want, pray for healing, pray for wholeness, pray for love, pray for what you have, pray in gratitude, pray for others. Prayer is a profound way to extend care to your spiritual well-being, and can ultimately alleviate stress.
Remember, true self-care isn't about perfection or adhering to a rigid set of rules. It's about cultivating a compassionate and nurturing relationship with yourself, one that allows you to flourish and thrive amidst life's ups and downs. So, take a moment to reflect on what self-care truly means to you and commit to incorporating these practices into your daily life. Your well-being is worth it!
Be Well,
L
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