Self Care, Huh?

Self Care, Huh?  I know that when I mention self care to some of my  friends, family, and clients I can get a blank stare or a "what do you mean?".  Frankly that's because we don't talk about it enough.  In our go, go, go society we have a tendency to get focused on the task at hand, our to do list, or all those things that went wrong today. We forget about us.  We forget to check in with ourselves and ask "How am I doing, really doing today?"  Do you feel tired, stressed, or overwhelmed?  Usually the answer I get is Yes.  What do we do about it?  Maybe nothing or pour another glass of red wine (be honest we all have done this).

 We need to take time for us, to really take care of ourselves and refuel our energy.  We all have energy tanks and we drive around all day and eventually our energy tank end up on empty.  We usually end up making it to the gas station, putting $5 in the tank and then continue to drive around on fumes.  It can feel like we aren't getting anywhere easy because we are poof poof on fumes all the time.  We never take the time to fill our tank up.  To really balance our energy stores so that we can handle that to do list, that big meeting, or running around with the kiddos.  

A good way to think about self care is to frame it into a question "what are things I like to do just because I want to do them?" Not because you have to, you should, or you feel obligated but things you like doing for you.  That could be anything right?  That could be taking a bath, listening to your favorite song, drinking coffee on the patio, praying, meditation, taking a yoga class, acupuncture,  or maybe even something as simple as taking a deep breath. 

Now I want you to take a moment and reflect on the things you did today "just because you wanted to." What did you come up with? If this was difficult and you're thinking "I didn't do anything" or "I don't know what I would do," well now is the moment to take a breath.

Take a deep inhale, expanding your chest your lungs in the very back, hold for 2  counts and then exhale emptying all that air and anything you don't need to hold on to today.  

Lets try that again, another deep breath in, expanding your rib cage filling your lungs with oxygen. Hold for 2 counts, exhale, pushing that air out of your mouth letting it all go. 

One more time, another big deep breath, making this the deepest breath you have ever taken.  Hold for 2 counts, exhale, pushing that air out your mouth, letting it all go. 

Sit for a moment.  Maybe you close your eyes.  Just being, not doing anything or going anywhere.

When you're ready, roll your shoulders down and maybe wiggle your toes and your fingers.  Just paying attention to what your body feels like. 

That  ladies and gentleman, was self care. Give yourself a big hug because you just took some time to nurture yourself in a real loving, energy giving way.  Breathing is something we do everyday, all day long and yet we are usually very unaware of it.   Something you did in a few moments is self care.

I want you to think about 1 thing that you used to like to do but maybe haven't done in awhile or think about something you would love to try.  It can big or small.  Anything. Maybe it is diving into a great book, going for a walk, or calling a good friend.  I want you to set the goal to do that 1 thing this week.