Self-Care… It is a vital part of life!

Self-Care… It is a vital part of life and it is not selfish!

I don’t know about you, but sometimes life just be life’n!  Stress is everywhere and it is pretty much impossible to have a day that is stress free. There is good stress (eustress) that I believe is good for us and helps us to cope, change, and evolve.  Then, there is bad stress (distress) and I am going to focus on ways to minimize the impact of the bad stress and to find balance with it.

Finding more moments to incorporate self-care into our day to day lives is imperative because those moments are times for us to reset, ground ourselves, and take control of our anxiety. I have come up with several ways to help you de-stress through the day.  These methods definitely help me.

 

 

 

 

1. Start with a relaxing morning bath!
Wake up in plenty of time to draw a nice hot, soothing bath and soak your way into rejuvenating your spirit, and your mind.

2. Upgrade your facial and exfoliating cleansing ritual!
While washing your face, inhale deeply, breathing in the pleasant scent of your facial cleanser. Breathe out worry, anger, and negativity. Imagine it being washed down the sink as you cleanse your face.
Finally, when applying your moisturizer, imagine a light that has ignited inside of your spirit. The more you breathe in deeply, the brighter this light becomes until it can’t be contained and it spills out around you. Imagine the light is full of love and it is extending into your surroundings, to the next person that you see. Let your light shine.

3. Drink plenty of water!
Health professionals everywhere will tell you that hydration is a key component to physical health, but I can tell you that it is also essential for your mind as well. Enhance the taste of your bottled water with lemons, strawberries, blackberries, oranges, grapefruits, and cucumbers! Not only will your water taste good, but there are beneficial properties that some fruits can add to the body. Swap out the sugar and calories of sodas and fruit punches with some naturally fruit flavored water. Your mind and your mood will thank you.

 

 

 

4. Take breaks outside!
The weather is finally warming up and it is time to get outside and away from your workload if only just for a few minutes. Sit outside in the sun during your lunch break. Getting away from your stressors for a few minutes will lessen their impact on your mind.

5. Take a break from your phone!
If you work around computer screens all day, looking at your phone is still looking at a screen. Try looking through the newspaper, reading a chapter in a book, or turning on some music or listening to a podcast. The music is a great chance to give your eyes a chance to rest.

6. Stretch for restoration!
Stretching is one of the components of yoga… and we all know the benefits of yoga. Try to keep a yoga mat handy next to your desk and stretch during a 10 minute break. This will improve your flexibility while relieving your sitting at the desk posture.

 

 

 

 

7. Smell for success!
Many of us are still working from the privacy of home, and it is a perfect time to find scented candles and essential oil diffusers that will release heavenly scents into your atmosphere. They will create an invigorating vibe and enhance your mood like nothing else.

8. Write it down!
Write down your goals and put in the work to make them manifest right before your eyes. Write down any stressors you encountered through the day and what you did to manage them. Also write down your intentions and aspirations for the week. Lastly, write down random acts of gratitude and try to perform them periodically through the day, and I guarantee you that you whole mindset will shift to a place of positivity.

I hope that these moments of self-care will enrich and enhance your life as they do for me. Thanks for reading.

Take Care,

James