SELF-CARE /ˌselfˈker/
noun
1. the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one's own health.
2. the practice of taking an active role in protecting one's own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress.
Hey Best Friend!
It’s important that we take time to care for ourselves. Most of us, me included, use a lot of the time we have available tending to others. We have to go to work and deal with work stress, we come home and tend to our families, and if we have a spare moment, we use the extra time to tend to our friends and make sure all is well with them. By time we have taken care of everyone else on the list, there isn’t enough time to truly devote to ourselves. So, we usually wait until our bodies tell us that we need a break before we take care of ourselves. Our bodies will send us warnings such as acne breakouts, anxiety, panic attacks, burn out, and fatigue just to get our attention that it's time to do something different. Well, I want us to change that. I want us to love ourselves and recognize that in order to care for others, we have to be the best version of ourselves. To show up as the best, we have to take time and put intentional efforts into practicing selfcare. Even the definition of the word self-care highlights that action is required by the person. So, self-care is an intentional action. Below is a simple list of intention actions that we can take immediately to develop a better self-care routine:
1. Listen to music or your favorite podcast
2. Go for a walk
3. Watch a movie or YouTube
4. Color
5. Treat yourself with something
6. Give yourself a spa day (go to a spa or treat yourself at home)
7. Take a nap
8. Read a book
9. Stretch and meditate
10. Light a candle
11. Do a puzzle or play a game
12. Write in a journal
Out of the ones listed above, my favorites include taking a nap, reading a book, and lighting a candle. These are all things that I simply enjoy. I also love using my planner and decorating my weeks with stickers (yes, stickers like the kind you used to get at the doctor when you received a shot). These activities help me focus on me and give me a chance to truly exhale. My problem is I need to do these things more often, rather than when my body makes me.
So join me on my quest as I go from supermom/wife/friend/employee to Super LV! Comment below on this blog and let me know which of these 12 ideas you will be implementing into your self-care routine.
TTYL,
LV
