Self-care isn’t just about pampering; it’s about nurturing your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. But I’m the first to admit that a nice hot bubble bath is beyond fantastic on many levels.
In this article, we’ll explore the world of self-care to find your zen, and understand why it should be a top priority in your life.
What is Self-Care?
I think the the best definition of self care is living in alignment with yourself and your values. This self-care puts you in flow, and makes you happy. And when you are happy, you take up space and light up a room and others are attracted to and feel your good energy! How fantastic it is that just by being you, you can lift others through your good vibes?
I find that I need to constantly ask myself questions about whether a particular situation, relationship or activity is making me feel loved, making me happy and/or bringing me joy. It’s about checking in with myself and making sure I am in alignment with my authentic self vs. what others expect of me. I’ve found that the more I love myself, the more I can love others.
Sometimes however, I find that I have to protect myself from what I call energy vampires. These are people who want to be around you because of your good energy, but it’s only because they don’t have good energy within themselves, they don’t necessarily love themselves and they feel like they need other people to make themselves whole. These people can suck the life out of you. You may not notice it at the time, but over time, it will drain you dry and ultimately that can bring your good/high vibe down.
I also define self-care as a vast array of activities tailored to your individual preferences. These practices prioritize your well-being and invite you to indulge in activities that rejuvenate your body, mind, and soul (especially important if you need to recover from so called energy vampires). From exercise to meditation, self-care offers a diverse range of options, so let’s dive in.
The Challenge of Prioritizing Self-Care
In a fast-paced world, it’s easy to neglect self-care. We often juggle work, family, and household responsibilities, forgetting that we need to take care of ourselves first. We may prioritize others, our possessions, or work, believing it’s more rewarding. But the truth is, self-care is not an indulgence, it’s a necessity. When you take good care of yourself, you can show up 100% for others.
Flexing the Self-Love Muscle
Just like a muscle, self-love needs practice and strengthening. When we tune into our body, mind, heart, and soul, we become present with OUR needs. Self-care becomes a catalyst for self-awareness, self-respect, and self-love.
The Unselfishness of Self-Care
Let’s debunk a common myth: self-care is not selfish. It’s an essential element of maintaining overall health and preventing burnout. It provides the fuel needed to recharge and meet our own needs. It’s not about being self-centered; it’s about creating a solid foundation of self-love and self-worth.
Why Self-Care Matters
Self-care matters for several reasons:
- Mental and Emotional Well-being: Self-care activities reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, promoting emotional well-being.
- Physical Health: Practices like exercise and healthy eating contribute to better physical health.
- Preventing Burnout: Neglecting self-care can lead to burnout, but self-care prevents it by allowing us to rest and recharge.
- Improved Productivity: Self-care enhances focus, concentration, and productivity.
- Enhanced Relationships: By taking care of ourselves, we have more energy and emotional capacity to more fully invest in our relationships.
Starting Your Self-Care Journey
If you’re unsure where to begin, start with a simple question. Ask yourself, “What is one easy thing I can do right now that would feel good?” Then, be fully present in that moment and open to what comes next. Self-care is an invitation to be kind to yourself and carry that positive energy throughout your day. If nothing came to you, give it time as it will. In the meantime, I’ll share some of my personal self-care practices as an attempt to inspire you.
Personal Self-Care Practices
Now, let’s delve into some of my top self-care practices and why I embrace them:
· Establishing a Morning Routine: I begin my day with a short meditation, exercise, and stretching to set a positive tone.
· Evening Routine: My evenings include a reflective walk with my dog, gratitude journaling, breath-work, listening to music and meditation to wind down, relax and sleep better.
· Taking Regular Breaks: I incorporate short breaks during my day, which allows me to recharge and get back to my tasks at hand with fresh eyes. I try to take several 5 minute breaks throughout the day where I step away from my desk or go outside and just breathe while listening to nature. And my non-negotiable daily hour-long lunch break involves deep breaths, music, quality time with my dog, and nourishing food.
· Setting Boundaries: I’ve learned to say no to commitments and people that don’t resonate with me, personally or professionally, prioritizing my time and energy.
· Hydration and Nutrition: I pay close attention to my body’s hydration and nourishment needs, drinking half my weight in ounces of water daily and prioritizing nutrient rich meals and snacks every single day.
· Mindful Eating: I savor every bite of my food, engaging all my senses when I eat. This practice cultivates a deeper appreciation for nourishing my body within healthy foods that make me/my body feel good.
· Engaging in Physical Activity: Daily exercise is a crucial part of my routine, promoting mood enhancement, stress reduction, and overall well-being. It’s also non-negotiable for me because if I don’t do my workout, I just don’t feel right. I seek movement that is not only effective in giving me a workout (and a good sweat), but is also fun, such as riding my e-bike, paddle-boarding, snow-shoeing, hiking…etc.
· Practicing Gratitude: Each evening, I reflect on and appreciate the day’s blessings, through writing and sometimes just in thought.
· Massage and Facial Treatments: I indulge in regular massages and facials, dedicating time to care for my body’s well-being and relaxation.
· Hot Bubble Baths: A luxurious hot bubble bath by candle-light allows me to focus on my needs, providing sensory pleasure, easing muscle tension, and promoting relaxation. And is especially great when “sound bathing” (read on).
· Pedicures: Regular pedicures help me relax and improve circulation in my feet and lower legs, all while providing an aesthetic boost, with pretty polished toe nails.
· Sound Bathing: I immerse myself in soothing sounds, including sounds like hang drum music, crystal bowls, ocean waves, meditation music or any other music that makes me happy. It allows me to unwind and find joy and is especially enjoyable during a bubble bath!
· Forest Bathing: Spending time in nature, especially hiking with my dog, connects me with the healing power of trees, the earth and the natural world.
· Media Detox: Unplugging from technology and immersing myself in the present moment fosters relaxation and mental clarity. The first media detox I did was a 48 hour detox and it was crazy amazing. If this peaks your interest, read my blog dated Feb 5, 2023.
· Prayer: God, Spirit, The Devine (whatever YOU call it) can recharge the heart, mental load, and body.
· Breathwork: Part of all my meditation practices is breath work. I am always amazed how grateful, relaxed, and peaceful intentional breathing makes me feel.
· Meditation: Meditation is part of my morning and evening routine. It aids stress reduction, enhances mental well-being, and improves sleep quality. It helps quiet the mind and relax. If you are interested in my guided morning meditation, I’ll send it right to your inbox. All you need to do is email me at info@noblealchemy.com and put the word “MEDITATION” in the subject line and I’ll send the Mp3 file to you.
· Journaling: Journaling can clear and unburden the mind and preserves thoughts and feelings without cluttering our mental space. Getting thoughts and feelings out of our head, makes room for other things to come in. I write in a journal at least 3 times a week, sometimes more. I write about hikes that I take with my dog, events I attend, what I’m thankful for or even about my feelings about certain people, places or things. It’s liberating!
· Dance Therapy: Dancing, whether alone or with friends, is liberating in a different way. It’s a fun way to release stress and boost mood not to mention the physical benefits of moving the body!
And here’s a fun fact about dancing: Did you know that you can’t cry when you dance? I have no idea why that is, but it’s true. Next time you find yourself in tears or feeling low, put on your favorite tunes and start dancing like no one is watching. You’ll be amazed how quickly you will feel better! Seriously, try it! If you are crying, I guarantee you will stop…it’s the weirdest thing!
· Get Away: Whether it’s a grand vacation or a simple day trip, sometimes all I need is a change of scenery to rejuvenate.
· Make a Love Bag: I got this idea (from Koya Webb of “Get Loved Up,”) during a webinar I recently attended and I thought it was a fantastic idea. I implemented it in my life and it’s a good way to get a lift when you need it.
She suggested writing down 100 things that bring you joy (on 100 separate note cards). Whatever those things are for you (taking your dog for a walk, giving yourself a high 5 in the mirror, paying it forward, doing some deep breathing, dancing, taking a drive, jumping in a bubble bath, calling your Mom, or best friend, painting, cooking a delicious meal, getting out in nature, doing some photography, or whatever brings you joy). Put the individual cards in a bag, box or basket. Then, when you are feeling you need a lift, pull a card out of your Love Bag and do whatever the card you drew says to do.
Self-Care Is Personal
Self-care is personal and unique to every individual. The key is to discover activities that resonate with you, bringing joy, relaxation, and rejuvenation into your life. Some of my friends find that working on their hobbies provides them with the self-care they need, such as painting or photography.
Overcoming Self-Care Barriers
Implementing self-care can be challenging due to various obstacles:
· Lack of Time: At first, my busy life often made finding time for self-care difficult. But not, it’s just part of my life and I can’t do without it.
· Guilt: Initially, I felt guilty putting myself first, but I realized it’s necessary.
· Prioritization: In the beginning I found it hard to prioritize self-care over other demands, but later learned that it’s crucial to my well-being.
· Financial Constraints: Some self-care activities can be expensive, but there are many affordable (and free) options as outlined above.
· Lack of Knowledge: Initially I found that starting a self-care practice was a little daunting, but discovered it’s well worth exploring what makes us happy and what helps us recharge our batteries.
· Lack of Support: Not everyone will understand your need for self-care, but it’s OK, it’s not about everyone, it’s about YOU!
· Health Issues: In the beginning, I thought my physical limitations made self-care difficult (especially the activities involving movement), but ultimately, overcoming those limiting beliefs and perceived limitations those physical activities ended up being my lifeline.
Remember, it’s essential to start where you are, beginning with small daily acts of self-love. Whatever self-love acts you choose, will nourish your soul, making you a stronger and better human, and because it feels good, trust me, you’ll want to do more of it.
Remember, prioritizing self-care isn’t selfish; it’s a fundamental aspect of developing and maintaining overall well-being in this life. So, take that step today, embrace self-care, and watch as it helps you find your zen and transform your life for the better.
The journey to a healthier, happier you-mind, body and spirit is so worth it. I know because I lived it.
I stopped chasing skinny and started focusing on my health—and that single shift changed everything. I lost 140 pounds, but more importantly, I found clarity, energy, and a life that finally feels like mine.
I tell the whole story in my book. Click HERE to learn more.