3 Ways To Improve Self Care

You ever notice that when you wake up your thoughts get bombarded with things-to-do for your family, job, school or whoever? You find that you’re unable to make time for your self due to overwhelming thoughts and always being on the go! You can’t sleep, feeling emotionally and physically exhausted, you experience a sense of dreadfulness, or have a difficult time concentrating. When asked the question: “What do you do for self care?”
You respond “I’m at a point where I feel like I have to complete everything on my to-do list before I can take care of my self”.

Self Care is the key to living a balanced life. You cant take care of others if you don’t take care of yourself first. Check out these 3 ways to improve your self care today!

1. Engage in Mindful Meditation

a. Meditation is a mental exercise that involves relaxation, focus, and awareness. It is practiced by either focusing your attention on a single object internal or external.

b. Improve your self care at home by practicing daily meditation. Use this time to become aware of your automatic thoughts, dwell on a positive thought or something you are grateful for, envision completing a goal you have been working towards.

i. Example ways to mindfully meditate:
1. Spend a few minutes in silence and become aware of what is happening at that moment.
2. Have a cup of tea. What do you smell, hear, feel, see?
3. Recite a positive affirmation you have been thinking about “I am good with who I am, I am proud of who I am becoming”

2. Start Journaling

a. Sometimes it’s helpful to engage in free association or word vomit. Journaling gives you a chance to get thoughts out of your mind and on to paper. Using journaling as a way to engage in self- reflection. At the end think about how this activity made you feel and what emotions come to life.

i. Example journal prompts:
1. How do I feel at the moment?
2. What do I love about myself?
3. What do I need more of in my life?

3. Develop A Routine

a. Self care doesn’t have to be a day at the spa or an expensive trip. Try creating or developing a new routine for when you rise in the AM and prepare for sleep in the nighttime. Wake up one hour earlier than normal and do something for yourself to kick start your day or set your intentions for the next day.

i. Example routines changes:
1. Start exercising
2. Read more
3. Add 5 minutes to your shower

Write any feedback or questions about this exercise. Also, let me know what you do for self care?