Self-care has become a buzzword in the health industry. Everyone from health coaches to yoga teachers are touting the benefits of putting yourself first. But it is not as easy as it sounds. As with anything in life if it were that simple more people would be doing it, right? I understand! Between work, home, and social responsibilities, you might often feel that all your time is spent taking care of other people.
Our busy lifestyles make it extremely easy for us to neglect self-care, but what I need you to understand is that the consequences of ignoring your self-care can be serious. This is especially true if you are trying to manage a chronic illness. Learning how to add self-care practices to your daily routine will significantly strengthen your physical health and emotional well-being.
If you want to be successful, happy, and healthy, you will make your self-care your number one priority.
Try these simple self-care strategies today:
Schedule your self-care. Let’s face it, you are probably not going to stop in the middle of your busy “to do” list to take a walk or indulge in a hot bath. Self-care is an ongoing process. Just as you reserve time in your schedule for the dentist or to meet with your child’s teacher, set aside time to take care of yourself, too. Doing this consistently will help you to adopt self-care habits that you can enjoy regularly. Also, it will help you to avoid burnout, increase your productivity, and enjoy life.
Take up a hobby. Whether you love to experiment with new recipes in the kitchen or paint pictures of sunsets, your favorite hobbies can be part of self-care. Hobbies and activities that you already enjoy are easy to select and put into practice.
Start keeping track of the compliments you receive. You can enjoy this self-care practice even as you work or run errands! Start taking notes of the compliments you receive. You can keep them in a journal, diary, or online folder. Your compliment folder can also include emails, notes, thank you cards, and other things that make you smile. Practicing this tip will help you to fight off those nagging negative thoughts that sometimes plague our day. Compliments are a great reminder that you matter, your existence is essential, and someone appreciates you.
Remove clutter. Whether you decide to declutter your closet or clean out the fridge, removing clutter will uplift you. Clutter can drain you physically and mentally. It can also make you unhappy as you try to move through your day. It is time to eliminate the things that no longerserve you. For example, if you keep clothes in your closet that you hate replace them with clothes you love. Go through those shelves of books you are not going to read or read again. Create a lovely space to work. Clear off your desk and recycle old sales papers and file those bills.
Focus on yourself. Living selfishly every day is not recommended, but doing one selfish act that makes you happy can do wonders. You can enjoy one thing a day or a week without feeling guilty about it. I promise! If you struggle with self-care, it is often because you spend all your energy and time taking care of others, and there is nothing left in the well for yourself. By taking the time to do one selfish act, such as reading your favorite book, listening to music, watching your favorite movie, or ignoring a boring phone call, you will be restoring your own importance.
No one will honor your self-care as much as you will, so do not leave it to others. If you are working through a chronic illness, doing what it takes to stay healthy can be draining emotionally. Use your self-care routine to replenish your emotional fuel. Do not let your self-care take a backseat to work, family, and other obligations.
If you do not take care of your mind and body, you risk burning out and suffering from serious health issues or making your current health concerns worse. Give yourself permission to start making time for your self-care practices today!
With Peace and Love,
Renee
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