Self-care
Anyone else feel like they didn’t know about self-care? I tried so desperately to use face masks, spa nights, and countless nights steeping in the tub to make me feel better, I did not realize I was missing the mark completely. Those things are great, but they are not it. I was the master of self-care….but I really was not, at all. Let me share what has worked for me now.
Routine: In the midst of chaos and unpredictability, having a routine has frequently saved me because I got things that took care of me and my day to day done. If an unexpected curveball came in, I may not have been ready for it, but I could handle it. Basic needs were usually already met and it did not take much to adjust.
Boundaries: Learning to say “no”, not accepting jobs that drained me, cutting out exhausting or toxic friendships, and recognizing what personal energy limits were, was a game-changer. I became a better me and had more energy overall.
Physical health: Not just regular exercise! Exercise is super important, mental and physical health are cyclical, that means they will impact each other. So get the gym. Also, make sure you see your doctor, your dentist, your physical therapist. This also means you need to eat right. Eat junk, feel like junk. It adds up over time. I do better when I eat my usual meals. I want to sleep all day when I splurge on bad foods.
Mental health: I know nobody is surprised here. See a therapist, learn to meditate, find a way to deal with whatever you have going on. It is incredible how you feel when you grow.
Acceptance: Learn to accept. Sometimes things cannot change how they are, when you can learn to accept, learn you sometimes have no control, or can’t do anything, that can bring peace.
Do what you like: Huh? Seriously. Figure out what you like and do it. Owning pets, doing hobbies, etc. Can’t do it? Then accept. Repeat steps until at peace. I will encourage you to enjoy life to the fullest but not at the expense of safety, security, or reason.
Regulation: This falls a little under mental health too, but I think it needs it’s own spot. Learn how to cope with being uncomfortable. Being uncomfortable will come up. Whether it is a social situation, dealing with a power outage, or having stress at work; life gets uncomfortable at times. Sometimes we don’t need full intervention, but we need something to help us get through that extra push in a situation or dealing with feeling unsettled. Learn to regulate and you have better distress tolerance and you just feel better.
Values: Figure out what really matters to you. Not what want. What you value and need to be at peace. That helps in goal setting, identifying where discomfort and discontent are, and how to navigate challenges. Knowing what really is valuable helps you protect it when challenges come up and you can deal with things easier when you know that answer.
So these are ways I take care of myself. It is not always perfect, at all. Although I look for progress and not perfection. If you’re not growing, what are you doing? I also still buy face masks because I like them.
All the best.
10/4/2021
