Self-Care to Start the New Year
Happy New Year Everyone!!!
As we embark on a new year I know there are many out there
who make a lot of resolutions. It seems
to be the thing to do as we hit midnight on January 1st. Along with our champagne flutes, kisses and
well wishes for a wonderful year, we also have higher hopes for sticking to
healthy habits (or even just starting them).
Most people rarely ever say “My resolution this year is to eat unhealthy
foods as much as I possibly can and I want to continue down the path of
self-destruction which leads me into pain in every way…mentally, emotionally
and definitely physically.” If you are
the rare exception to that promise to yourself I sincerely apologize.
If, however, you are like many people who want to get their
exercise and and goji berries on I’m sure you are contemplating how to get more
self-care in for yourself. I wanted to
let you know there are many methods to taking care of yourself. Many of them
are free and only take one minute.
Others are a little more of an investment financially but the rewards
will be so beneficial and worth every penny it would be unwise not to partake.
Go For a Walk
Whether you decide to walk alone for some time of
self-reflection or you use the time for some healthy social catching up,
walking is a great form of self-care.
It’s great for circulation, weight management and stress reduction. You can gain health benefits whether you
decide to walk for an hour or 10 minutes.
Both will give you a feeling of improved mood. Not to mention connecting with nature is
always a good thing.
Take 1 Minute of Breathing
Slowing down your overactive brain can significantly start
to improve your well-being. Being
mindful and present with a minute of slow deep breathing is a great form of
meditation. It calms the nervous system
and allow you to be in the moment when you are feeling overwhelmed. There are several breathing techniques you
can find on the internet. I have a
couple of favorites. One is a deep
relaxation technique that I ask my clients to use when we are trying to get
them to relax on the table. You will take
a deep breath in to the count of 6, hold for a count of 6, then exhale to the
count of 6. Another method I like is
called “Box Breathing.” You will inhale
for a count of 4, hold for a count of 4, exhale for a count of 4 and wait for a
count of 4 before repeating. This really
helps me to feel relaxed. Do this for a
minute or 2 and you will feel so much more clear-headed.
Take a Bath
Whether you are a bath person or not, I feel that soaking in
a tub or jacuzzi for at least 15 minutes really helps to relax the muscles and
calm the nervous system. Of course you
can add Epsom salt to a bath for an added benefit of removing toxins from the
body. Add lavender to the tub for some
aromatherapy. Add bubbles to a jacuzzi
for a miniature massage.
Read a Book for Pleasure
Many people who need to read material for work find it
difficult to pick up a book or magazine to read for pleasure. To that I would suggest picking something up
and set a timer on your phone and read something that isn’t work-related for 10
minutes a day. This helps take your mind
off of things that may be causing you stress or anguish in your life. It helps to take you out of it for at least
10 minutes. This helps you to reset a
little bit. If you have the time,
continue reading even after the timer is done if you are enjoying it. Remember…self-care should be enjoyable.
Have a Date Night with Your Partner
It almost seems silly to put this under self-care, but
reconnecting with your loved one is a very nurturing experience. Not just for your soul but also for your
relationship. So set a date up and don’t
let anything (sans an emergency) come between you and your very important date
with your partner. One date night could
even be a night of drinking wine and setting up a date night each month with
a calendar and list of events happening
in the area during that time. Sometimes
even just the planning is a great way to escape mentally for a bit.
Go to the Gym
Oh my goodness. This
is a doozy. Going to the gym should be
at the top of the self-care must-do’s.
There are so many benefits that we gain from going to the gym. One is we improve our circulation. Better circulation will lead to better sleep,
better breathing, better healing, etc. All
exercise will release endorphins (the feel-good hormone) and will increase your
ability to focus. Those who exercise
regularly tend to be able to sleep better, as well. There are an enormous amount of benefits from
going to the gym but if I listed them all, this would be 30 pages long.
Spend Time Talking to a Friend You Haven’t Spoken To In a
While
Catching up with a friend or loved one you haven’t spoken to
in a while can make you feel fulfilled in a sense. You will easily feel like you are reconnected
and grounded. This feeling is one to be
reckoned with. I know when I have a chat
with somebody I’ve lost touch with, I’m almost giddy with excitement for
several days afterward. That feeling carries
me through some of the most difficult and longest days of doing physical labor
for a job.
Go To a Spa
The feeling of rejuvenation is something we all want to feel
at least a couple times a year. Leave
the phone in the locker. Just breathe in
the atmosphere and soak in the relaxing energy for a dose of serious
self-care. Take a book and read. Or sit in the sauna for 5 – 10 minutes to
release toxins. Just being at a spa is a
great way to decompress.
Get a Facial
Getting a facial makes one feel pampered and
spoiled…yes. Remember, however, that
your skin is the largest organ of our body.
Giving it some healthy love is one way to make you feel and look
refreshed. Some aestheticians even add
a little massage on the shoulders and
neck area to give you a little more relaxation.
We have many muscles in our face that need to be kneaded and a facial
can do double duty…clean out pores and also relax you facial muscles.
Get a Massage
Of course, this one is a personal favorite of mine for
obvious reasons. I make sure to get
a massage every other week. It’s oftentimes considered to be a luxurious
form of pampering. This is not
necessarily the case. We should look at
getting a massage as necessary as changing the oil in your car. The benefits of getting a massage will be
listed throughout my blogs. Suffice it
to say it encompasses many of the self-care methods listed above in the short
little hour to hour and a half time you are receiving the massage. In fact, as I type this right now I’m getting
ready to go get my own massage.
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