Taking care of ourselves means we are in charge of our well being, an act of self-knowledge and self-love. So often, we will look for others to take care of us when it is our job to manage our stress. Self-care improves our physical condition, our quality of life and prevents physical and mental illnesses.
These are the primary areas of self-care: physical, psychological, emotional, social, professional, spiritual, and financial. Movement of the body, health, nutrition, and sleep.
Good mental health and well being allow us to live our lives positively and meaningfully and cope with life’s changes and challenges. We must tend to our own physical and mental health so we can look after our families during stressful times. Recognizing what works for YOU is essential to ensure that you’re looking after yourself.
Here are a few basic suggestions:
- Get regular exercise. Create a regular exercise routine, and if you need help, ask. AmCon members want to help you (see last week’s post)! This will help with reducing stress levels and improving your health. Even a 10-minute walk will benefit you and reduce daily stress.
- Eat healthy. Find ways to eat nutritious foods; this also helps with energy levels and stress management. Try to avoid too much alcohol, caffeine, or sugar – it may help you feel more energized in the short term but not in the long term.
- Connect with your tribe. Ask for help and accept it when offered. This one is hard for many of us…but as much as you help others ask for help when you need it.
- Be kind to yourself! Be your own best friend. Be forgiving to yourself. Try encouraging and rewarding yourself to get through a difficult period or achieve a goal. Try positive self-talk. It is important. Tell yourself several of the things you like about yourself every day. Remind yourself you’re a badass some days.
- Plan something to look forward to weekly: friends, a day at the range, or a long drive to a place you’ve wanted to visit.
- Try to spend some quality time with yourself, even if it’s just 15 minutes a day.
- Get good quality sleep and make it a regular pattern. Give your brain every day the opportunity to regenerate and prepare for the next day’s work, giving you more concentration, memory, and attention. If you’re finding it difficult to fall asleep, try a breathing technique or an app.
- Practice regular relaxation. Try to start your day with it. In a comfortable spot; imagine a beautiful beach or inviting canyon and spend 5-10 minutes imagining this in your mind.
- Find ways to stay organized. Find a way to manage your finances, keep your home clean and orderly, and set up schedules. If our chores at home are unorganized, we miss appointments, and work is in disarray, we will get stressed. If you need help, ask here. Many people have tips and tricks they can share.
So, daily self-care should look like: eating a healthy meal, exercising – even if it’s just taking a walk, drinking plenty of water, practicing good sleep hygiene, sitting in the sunlight when you can find it.
Don’t forget, when you feel overwhelmed, take a walk around the block and come back to the issue. When you feel sad, let yourself grieve for 20 minutes on the problem.
When you feel lonely, call a friend to say hi.
My current self-care is praying daily, playing with my dog, eating healthy, daily sun and exercise, fixing an old injury by making time to go to physical therapy, keeping a detailed daily organizer and seeing friends weekly.
Please share your self-care tips and tricks. Your suggestion could help other members!
Not a member? Join right now – HERE!