The ABC's of Self Care

Self care is something that is so important, yet can be the most underutilized. Maybe it's because you haven't found your thing. Maybe you can't afford a yoga class, or you work from home and simply don't have the time to take a bubble bath. Well, here are 26 different ideas for self care, one for every letter of the alphabet. Some are physical, some are mental. All are beneficial.

 

AWARENESS

Being aware of your needs, wants and desires is pivotal to taking care of yourself, inside and out. Know what you want, and you can take necessary actions to achieve it. AWARENESS BEGETS ACTION.

BELIEF

Nothing can be achieved until you believe that it can. Believe in your dreams, even if you're the only one, and the universe will make a way for you. Stick with this one, and before long, things will begin to work out in your favor.

CONNECTION

We cannot make it through this life alone. We thrive from community. As a certified loner, I can attest to this fact. As much as I'll choose solitude over community, I never feel as fulfilled as I do after a conversation with someone who is on my wavelength.

DISCIPLINE

Anything worth having takes hard work and a decision to go for it, whatever it is. But everyday is not going to be a day where you are compelled to sit down and write a chapter or get out of bed early to work out. That's when discipline comes in. Discipline tells you, "No, we made a commitment, and we are going to see it through." Discipline is what I lean on when 5a stampedes over my sleep and I want to hit the snooze. Discipline is climbing over, going around, and breaking through the obstacle in the way of your goal.

ENJOY

Enjoy what you're doing. Right now. For me, I'm writing this in a notebook at 5:41a on a Monday morning. Would I like to be asleep right now? Kinda, yeah. But I have discipline to push me forward, and I'm happy doing this. I'm listening to meditation music, I've already taken a hot shower, my family is asleep, so I get to enjoy quiet alone time to start my day. Whenever I feel myself beginning to get frustrated or generally negative, I always try and tap into what I enjoy about my life in that very moment. So while I'm sleepy, I'm accomplishing work and freeing up the rest of my day to spend with my family.

FLEXIBILITY

As a control freak, I'm actively trying to improve my flexibility when it comes to getting something I want or reaching a goal. Flexibility means you're open to life's twists and turns. Have you ever heard the phrase "If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans"? Accept that no matter how much you plan, outside forces (other people, weather, etc) will not necessarily fall in line with your desires. Be open to change. Embrace it and use it to your advantage. Don't look at it like something that completely stops you. Stand firm in the fact that it needs to get done, and work with your new circumstances to continue on your quest.

GRATITUDE

Take a moment right now and tap into your senses. Feel your heartbeat. Smell the air. Hear the sounds around you. So much to be thankful for! Gratitude is the secret sauce for a bad day. Mine, anyway. There are so many things that can make your day, or in general, your experience negative that you become blind to all of your blessings that are all over, inside and around us every single day. You got a flat tire while you were headed to work and had to be $200 for a new one? I'd be ticked off, too! But when you recognize that you were headed to a job, and that job has allotted you the blessing of having $200 in your account, your perspective will begin to shift.

HUMOR

Laughter is the best medicine for a reason. Humor is something I thrive from. It's not a real deal conversation with my friends without humor. Even at some of my lowest moments, my sense of humor always found a way to show up and break the tension. Tap into those things that give you a good belly laugh. It's a guaranteed mood booster.

JOURNALING

If you've been keeping up with my blog or social media, you'll see that I've talked about my love and collection of journals. Journaling, and writing at large, is a huge part of my life because of the freedom it provides. Do you have a place to write all of your hopes, fears, dreams and frustrations? If not, I HIGHLY suggest journaling. The release it gives to get those feelings down on paper is almost indescribable. Journaling is a great way to release emotions without judgement. The ultimate judgement free zone.

KINDNESS

A friendly smile, complementing a stranger, letting the person behind you with one item go in front of you, and generally doing for another with no expectation of reciprocation is a great mood booster. Knowing that someone's day, situation or life is better for having come in contact with you is a great honor. Just like Ellen says, "Be kind to one another, please". Kindness comes from the goodness in you seeing the need to grow and expand into others. Be kind. When you are kind to another person just because, you both benefit.

LIVE

Living is a daily roller coaster ride. Some days are the worst imaginable while some you may wish you could live over and over. But living is also what you make of it. Do you want to live a life full of adventure, or one of quiet solitude? The choice is yours. Be intentional about the life you want, and live it to your best ability. For years, I took a backseat to living. I benched myself, made the decision to spectate instead of live intentionally. The thing is, living from the sidelines brings with it a lot of disappointment. After so long, your life will start going in directions that you didn't want because you took your hands off the wheel. Take and maintain your control. Do what makes you happy. Go to the park and get on the swing next to your kids. Take a bath at 11a while the kids are at school. Take a nap. Live. It's going to ebb and flow, but embrace the ride. You only get one chance at this living thing, after all. Use it or lose it.

MEDITATE

Ahh, meditation. It's a soft reset for your mind and day. Meditation gives you a chance to acknowledge the things you have on your mind and move beyond them. It's a source of relaxation that you can do almost anywhere. If you stick with it (because, let's face it, in the beginning it'll be a fidgety mess), you will see and feel the benefits quite quickly.

NAPS

If you are a parent, you know how invaluable sleep is to your overall functioning. Even if you don't, there's something so rejuvenating about a nap. To be able to let go of worries for just long enough to charge your internal battery is a dream (no pun intended). It's not something I do regularly, but if you've got a little time and some quiet, go for it! Sometimes a nap really is more important than any of the 50 things on your To Do list.

ORGANIZE

Having organization in your life is a huge way to take care of yourself. Giving yourself structure and order lessens your chances of forgetting things, while easing tension caused from overwhelm. It allows you to take stock of things you have (whether physically or on your metaphorical plate), and decide what needs to stay or go, and what is actually important to you.

PRIORITIZE

Not everything needs or deserves your energy. By prioritizing, you become clear about what actually matters. No one wants to look up, realize the day is gone and you've wasted your day tackling the unimportant. That also requires setting your standards. Your standards determine what is really important to you, allowing you to look up at the end of your day, still tired and begging for the sweet relief of sleep, and be able to sleep peacefully knowing that you did things that carry with them a great deal of weight, and by doing them, you've now put yourself in a position to build and expand the next day.

QUIET TIME

Turn off the TV. Close the laptop. Turn your notifications off. Be quiet. Quiet time allows you the chance to hear yourself. Hear your thoughts, your ideas. This isn't to be confused with a meditation because quiet time doesn't require anything of you except silence. Read a book or blog. Write. Whatever brings you relaxation. Just sit silently if that's how you relax. Allow your thoughts to come and go. Give yourself space to stop being stimulated every now and again.

READ

Reading is excellent. Period. Need more? Alright. Reading, whether it's books, magazines or blogs is food for your brain. Reading allows you to go anywhere, do anything, be anyone and never leave your couch. It is the common thread among successful people all over the world. There's always something you don't know. There's always a new lesson to be learned. Feed your mind and soul with words. Read everyday. Every. Day. Read different genres, different authors, and different styles. Think more critically. Do yourself a solid. You won't regret it.

SUPPORT

Seek it and give it. No one is making it through life alone. We all need someone for something at some point. Whether it's getting your first meal of the week at a soup kitchen or calling up your girls so you can vent, we lean on others and they lean on us. Having support can be the difference between wishing and accomplishing. Why do you think there are so many life coaches out here? People need support. Likewise, supporting others is such a good feeling. It takes nothing from you to encourage the people around you. Support can be financial, emotional, or whatever way(s) you choose. Whatever that way is, do so with a giving heart, with the intentions to leave the recipient better than when you initially came.

TRUTH

Live your truth. Whatever that is. However that is. Always remain true to you. Your core values. Those things that truly define who you are and what made you, you. Lies are an unfortunate side effect of developing relationships with the wrong people, but nothing can excuse away lying to yourself.

UNDERSTANDING

Understanding others and yourself is a struggle for all of us at some point. Remember that everyone hasn't lived or experienced life as you have. Understand the perspective of others to understand their interaction with you. This is especially important if you are particularly sensitive or your feelings get hurt easily. Having more information gives you a fuller understanding of what you're seeing, hearing, feeling or in any way, experiencing.

VISUALIZATION

Defined, visualization is simply "the formation of a mental image of something". Make up in your mind what you want. Happier mood? Better business ideas? To be interviewed by Oprah? See it in your mind. Fill in the blanks. What does it smell like? What does Oprah's couch feel like on your skin? Visualization enhances motivation and confidence, thus equipping you with a much better shot of success in accomplishing your goal. It helps you reach your potential.

WILLINGNESS

Be willing to do something different. Be willing to give yourself a break. Be willing to succeed. To fail. Being willing is being open. Pushing beyond hesitation. Being bold enough to say, "It might not work, but it might."

X

Put a big fat X over anything and anyone that isn't helping or improving you. Toxic relationships, terrible behavior, excuses, whatever is hindering you from being, doing and living your best. You deserve the best. Put a giant red X over anything or anyone that would have you believe anything contrary.

YES

Say yes to new things. Things you've wanted to try but found an excuse to get out of. Read "The Year of Yes". Saying yes can be so scary. But once you're bold enough to say it, the experience is worth it. Expand your horizons. Go for a hike. Find something you've said no to recently and do it. It's so easy to say no and come up with any reason why you can't or shouldn't do something. But growth happens after the yes.

ZZZ's

For the love of Target, GET SOME SLEEP! Under eye bags don't have to be the international sign of motherhood. Sleep gives your mind and body the rest and rejuvenation it needs to operate effectively for you. We need sharp minds and strong bodies to take on the multitude of things that make up our everyday; give yourself the best shot and spend some time drooling on a pillow. Your increased energy and mental capacity will thank you.

And there you have it folks. Self care is something that we HAVE to take seriously and make a priority. Be good to yourself so you can be good to everyone else.