40 Shades of Self-Care
Self-Care. We know we should be good to ourselves and spend time taking care of ourselves. Sometimes we’re good about it and other times…not so much. Stress can have a serious impact on our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being.
“Harmony is the inner cadence of contentment we feel when the melody of life is in tune. When somehow we’re able to strike the right chord – to balance the expectations of our families and our responsibilities in the world on the one hand with our inner need for spiritual growth and personal expressions on the other…Usually, when the distractions of daily life deplete our energy, the first thing we eliminate is the thing we need the most: quiet, reflective time. Time to dream, time to think, time to contemplate what’s working and what’s not, so that we can make changes for the better… Learn how to pause.”
~ Sarah Ban Breathnach
I don’t know about you but when I am super, over the top busy is when I need to exercise the most self-care. It’s also the time when I tend to fall out of these habits. It’s the worst thing we can possibly do! It’s almost like the busier we get, the more stressed we get and the less time we take for ourselves. I’m sure we’ve all been guilty of this from time to time. The truth is… If you aren’t taking care of yourself, there will be nothing left for anyone else.
If you aren't taking care of yourself, there will be nothing left for anyone else. Click To TweetTaking even five minutes a day on a self-care ritual will help your overall well-being. Here is a list of 40 simple self-care tips in no particular order:
1. Get enough sleep – 7-9 hours of sleep a night is what most people need.
2. Take deep breaths throughout the day.
3. Spend time with someone you love.
4. Spend time with a friend.
5. Take a walk.
6. Prioritize your day either each morning or each evening for the next day.
7. Read a book or watch a movie…preferably a funny one!
8. ASK for help.
9. Exercise.
10. Listen to music! Music is a universal language:-)
11. Take a vacation.
12. Reduce time on the computer and/or TV…and don’t eat while watching TV.
13. Eat slowly and with family.
14. Take up a hobby.
15. Review your goals.
16. Have a gratitude practice. Say, write or affirm three things you are thankful for each day.
17. Enjoy a bubble bath.
18. Enjoy nature. If you can’t spend time outdoors, open your doors or windows to feel the outside…unless it’s snowing or dreadful weather…then stay inside:-)
19. Meditate
20. Pray
21. Write, say, or silently affirm affirmations. Focus on all things positive.
22. Paint your nails
23. Get a massage or give yourself a foot or hand massage.
24. Get reflexology.
25. Get a hair cut.
26. Pet a furry animal (if you have a cat or dog, that’s perfect).
27. Make and keep doctors appointments.
28. Cook your favorite (healthy) foods.
29. Play card games.
30. Give yourself a facial.
31. Take a class.
32. Go see a local comedy show.
33. Take a nap.
34. Write a letter to a friend or hand write thank you notes. Yes, I said hand write.
35. Find a way to pay it forward.
36. Eat right.
37. Drink enough water.
38. Have an ‘evidence of success’ jar and put something in this jar DAILY that you are thankful for, something that went right that day or something you learned. At the end of each month (or wait until the end of the year), you can read all your notes and really feel blessed!
39. Attend a church service that speaks to your soul.
40. Set time aside to do all of your errands and block the time and get ‘er done. You’ll feel better knowing everything is done in one afternoon (for most types of errands anyhow).
There are countless ways and variations to exercise self-care. Making sure you have a self-care practice in place is key to maintaining balance…particularly when things get hurried in life. Taking even five minutes a day on a self-care ritual will help your overall well-being. Click To Tweet
It’s YOUR turn: What’s your favorite self-care tip? Please comment below.
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Tandy Elisala
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Tandy,
You have put together a great list which for the most part
I agree 100%. My exception is number 22. Although I do
appreciate how this may be good for many other folks.
Thanks, Mitch. I hear ya’ about number 22 – lol. That one is definitely for women.
Great list, but also an excellent point. Now do you think a movie might be made out of YOUR list? 😉
Hummmm. That’s a great question, Sue. I’m not going to hold my breath for a movie deal – lol!
What a great list!! Many people forget to put self-care on their lists. But if you don’t take care of yourself you’re going to eventually bottom out. I especially liked #14, 16, and 18.
Thanks, Mira!
What a fantastic list of ways to care for yourself.
Thanks, Francene! It’s great to have you here:-)
Yes, self-care is key! I love to meditate and do my gratitude journaling first thing in the morning, and workout or go out for walks every other day or more. Thanks for sharing that comprehensive list of self-care tips! 🙂
Thanks, Patricia. I’m glad to hear you meditate and do gratitude journaling. These are fabulous ways to start the day!
Dr Tandy for
Me the best self care is getting out for a run. I ran in between our Southern snow storms and it felt great. I love your tips especially the evidence of success jar!
Thanks, Mary Ellen. I walk rather than run (for now) but I can see how running is such a great release and fabulous for you. Glad you like the evidence jar idea.
I’m with Kim on the eating plan – give me sardines, lamb, avocados, cauliflower, grass-fed beef jerky, a lovely soft- boiled egg, a big plate of steamed broccoli and asparagus drizzled with butter…salivating here!
But I hear you on petting a kitty (darling picture) and paying it forward (and all the other lovely ideas). Thank you for helping us take care of ourselves Tandy!
I hear ya’, Trudy. I’m with you on everything on your eating list…except sardines. I’ve never acquired a taste for them:-)
Eating. I don’t mean junk food — or even not-healthy comfort food. The #1 thing I do for my self-care is to EAT!! A real meal. At the table. With plates (I don’t EVER use paper)
How can I give the best to my clients when my stomach is talking? I can’t focus, I get mean, and my mind wanders. So I eat something that will give me fuel. I don’t go crazy with it ONLY being “health food” but I strive for something that is FUEL.
That means usually NOT a salad. Sorry, bunnies, lettuce just doesn’t fuel my brain.
But it MAY be a sardine sammy, scrambled eggs, even an occasional Hot Pocket with an apple. I’m looking for something that is going to taste good and give me FUEL. There’s a really great pizza place here that makes wonderful, mostly-healthy, veggie laden, topped with GREAT meats, pizza. Leftovers the next day are completely balanced and keep me going!
Kim, I love your passion for EATING! I remember you commenting on food in another blog I wrote. You are absolutely right on about being your best for others when your tummy isn’t happy. I’m all about the scrambled eggs myself:-)