I never realized how important self-care was until I got into my late twenties. I was moving through life with things to do and people to see but seldom taking time to pour into myself. We as women give so much into our jobs, our families and so many things outside of ourselves and often don’t turn inward until things are broken. Growing older I realized that we need to take care of ourselves WELL before the phase of possible “breaking”. When we pour into our cups first, the OVERFLOW will fall onto others. I’ve adopted a few practices within my self-care regimen and I’m always adding to my arsenal. I’m not perfect about taking care of myself but I know how important it is to my well-being so I will continue to make taking care of myself my number one goal.
1. Deep Breathing
Breathing is therapeutic. Some of us truly need to exhale. I noticed that when I am really stressed I hold my breath unconsciously. When I realize that I am doing this, I take my time to breathe in slowly and exhale slowly so that I can regulate my nervous system. I also realized that I am prone to holding a tight grip or clenching under stress. My shoulders can be damn near touching my ears based on how tightly wound up I am. My former therapist taught me about this method called progressive relaxation and it’s stayed with me over the years. You essentially tighten every part of your body by squeezing every muscle possible then release. It feels so good and I do that whenever I am like I am overly clenching.
2. Make Those Appointments, Sis
I don’t know who needs to hear this but make those appointments. And I’m not talking about hair or nail appointments. I mean seeing a doctor. At a minimum, we should all be checking in with a primary care provider and a gynecologist once a year. We should also be getting our teeth cleaned at least twice a year. I believe that all insurance providers must include these as preventative care appointments at no additional cost to you but check with your specific insurance company. If you have more specialized needs then you need to see your specialist as well. Now, where I’m writing this from (The U.S.), quality healthcare is considered a “privilege” although I think it’s a right. If you don’t have health insurance, do some research to see which providers near you provide free care or care on a sliding scale. If it’s open enrollment, you may qualify for healthcare insurance from the marketplace.
3. Hot Girl Walk, Anyone?
It’s warming up outside and staying light longer, so it’s the perfect time to take a walk. Slip on a cute outfit and walk around your neighborhood, the park, an indoor track – whatever makes you happy! I love afternoon walks with my husband around our neighborhood but sometimes I switch it up and walk with friends at the Beltline. Just the act of walking makes me happy and so at peace.
4. At Home Grooming (Nails, Facial, Hair removal etc.)
Most of us are headed into spring which means that we may have abandoned some of our bodily care activities. Use a day to do some self-care maintenance that will make you feel good and put together.
5. Check in With Your Finances
It’s always a great time to show your money some love. Take a few hours to check in on your finances by reviewing your credit card statements, debit card transactions, spending habits etc. It’s also a great time to see if you can negotiate lower bills on things like car insurance, phone bills etc. I recently got a lower payment on our cable, a loyalty credit on our phone bill and a little discount on our pest control service. All these savings add up and put more money in my pocket. Being able to ask for what I wanted as a customer and actually get it made me feel really good!
6. Start or Honor Your Bedtime Routine
Since the new year started, I’ve been super intentional about honoring my bedtime routine. As a big 30-something-year-old, I’m realizing how important sleep is to my overall well-being. When I am sleeping 8-9 hours a night, I feel so refreshed the next morning. I am able to make more conscious decisions about working out, eating well, being present at work, etc. It’s truly been a game-changer for me. For now, my routine is as follows:
- Eat dinner around 6-7pm
- Hang out with the hubby – (he’s joined my evening tea routine), watch a show or do a personal task 7-8pm
- Start getting ready for bed (Gotta do my skincare routine!) 8-9pm
- In bed, ready to catch some zzz’s 9-9:30pm
Tips for great sleep: A slightly cool room, a dark room and comfy bedding.
7. Connect With Your Circle
Although this involves someone else, it’s self-care. Relationships and social interaction are important to our well-being. Meet up with a friend or family member that you enjoy being with. With so many of us working from home, it’s easy to become a hermit but we must prioritize being around other people that make you feel safe, loved and included. That’s good for our health. If you don’t feel like you have those people in your life then I would encourage you to pray about finding your people then I would encourage you to put action into finding your tribe. Whether it’s through church, social groups, Facebook groups, a workout Class etc. your people are out there!
So sis, how will you care for yourself?
Yes!! Great article with useful and logical information! Thank you. Now let me get ready for my Hot Girl walk!!