I know I have written about this subject before, but it is so important, I thought it was time to refresh you with some new tips.
Self-care is like saving up for a rainy day! It is about nurturing yourself so that when a demanding situation arises you will have the energy and the means to help get you through it! It can feel hard to practice all the self-care tips that we know are important, so pick a few to focus on. Congratulate yourself on what you can accomplish and continue to set goals for yourself!!
PAUSE Make sure you take some time for yourself during the day to listen to music, take a few deep breaths, meditate, or write in a gratitude journal. TIP: There are a lot of different apps and sites out there for breathing exercises. I personally use the app on my Apple Watch every morning and night.
CONNECT Strong social connections are one of the most powerful influences on our mood and mental health. Spending time with friends and family will help to increase your levels of happiness. TIP: If you cannot see family and friends every day, send them a text or reach out to them in other ways, it will make their day and yours.
RECOGNIZE Be mindful of your thoughts and feelings both positive and negative, as part of your self-care find a healthy outlet to process your emotions and positive self-talk. Although it’s always important it is even more important during stressful times. TIP: when thinking, ask yourself? Is this helpful or true? If not, then challenge yourself to find a positive/true alternative. Remember to speak kindly of yourself, everyone has good and bad days. Do not be too hard on yourself!!
REFLECT Take time to think about what is important to you! It can be easy to get caught up in the negative messages instead of looking for the kindness and positivity out there. This can come in different forms like people doing good things for others or a positive post on social media. TIP: practicing gratitude on a regular basis can improve our sense of well-being and our happiness in general. If you can journal about gratitude: every night, write down three good things about your day (I.E., a great lunch, catching up with a friend, or finishing a task).
REPEAT Did you know that trying a new skill, habit, or routine for 21 days (about 3 weeks) in a row will increase the odds of maintaining this new practice? TIP: Try having an accountability partner during the first few weeks, this strategy has been shown to enhance your success rate in maintaining your new practice.
I hope some of these suggestions help you to start on your own self-care path.
Until next time,
