.
Self care should not be a luxury, but a priority. Self care has to do with thinking and then doing. Anything and everything (no matter how silly it may seem) that makes you feel good, considered, taken care of, relaxed, peaceful, loved. Of course your time is precious and choosing a plan that is realistic for your schedule is important. Some of you may feel that you have too much going on in your life to do this. Try it, and see that you will feel better- and can manage better after gifting yourself with this promise.
After you’ve had some time to think and make a plan write it down and promise yourself to make some time to follow through this month. If you are juggling kids, work, family responsibility, perhaps caring for an elderly parent? Its essential to make this time for yourself at least once a month or once every other month. Preferrably more frequently if possible.
Some examples might be treat yourself to a massage, mani-pedi, bubble bath with candles, soft music and cup of your favorite herbal tea*, a great book* or magazine, yoga, meditation and cookies*, a long walk, visit to a place that feels good to be near (forest, hiking trail, park, near a stream…) Spend the afternoon at a movie you’ve been aching to see with a treat of popcorn, stay home in your pj’s and enjoy your favorite comfort foods, call a friend who you’ve lost touch with to reconnect, dance, draw, sing, spend time with a favorite pet, enjoy the company of a friend, watch the stars on a cool crisp night with a thermos of hot chocolate, bake, buy a box of crayola crayons and let your imagination go, or one of those paint with water books, go to the dollar store with 5 dollars and buy yourself a treasure, curl up near the fire with a great book…
The possibilities are unlimited… will cost you some time, but will reward you with more energy, strength,contentment, and love to hold or pass on in abundance to others.
*Responses from my Sept. 2013 OSEB (www.oseb.ca) intake class.
Self care should not be a luxury, but a priority. Self care has to do with thinking and then doing. Anything and everything (no matter how silly it may seem) that makes you feel good, considered, taken care of, relaxed, peaceful, loved. Of course your time is precious and choosing a plan that is realistic for your schedule is important. Some of you may feel that you have too much going on in your life to do this. Try it, and see that you will feel better- and can manage better after gifting yourself with this promise.
After you’ve had some time to think and make a plan write it down and promise yourself to make some time to follow through this month. If you are juggling kids, work, family responsibility, perhaps caring for an elderly parent? Its essential to make this time for yourself at least once a month or once every other month. Preferrably more frequently if possible.
Some examples might be treat yourself to a massage, mani-pedi, bubble bath with candles, soft music and cup of your favorite herbal tea*, a great book* or magazine, yoga, meditation and cookies*, a long walk, visit to a place that feels good to be near (forest, hiking trail, park, near a stream…) Spend the afternoon at a movie you’ve been aching to see with a treat of popcorn, stay home in your pj’s and enjoy your favorite comfort foods, call a friend who you’ve lost touch with to reconnect, dance, draw, sing, spend time with a favorite pet, enjoy the company of a friend, watch the stars on a cool crisp night with a thermos of hot chocolate, bake, buy a box of crayola crayons and let your imagination go, or one of those paint with water books, go to the dollar store with 5 dollars and buy yourself a treasure, curl up near the fire with a great book…
The possibilities are unlimited… will cost you some time, but will reward you with more energy, strength,contentment, and love to hold or pass on in abundance to others.
*Responses from my Sept. 2013 OSEB (www.oseb.ca) intake class.
Next week: Self-Compassion
What is it? How does it help?