I am still learning how to take care of myself. Some days are better than others, but I have found a few things that help me to feel better about myself. If I can manage to do these 5 things, my day becomes so much easier to manage.
1. Meditation
I have found recently that practicing meditation has helped me to be more mindful throughout the day. I try to meditate in the morning as well as at night before I go to bed.
Spending 5 minutes each morning when I wake up with a guided meditation helps me to set my intention for the day, as well as feel more present in the moment. I realize in the stillness of each morning that I have the ability to set in my mind how my day will play out. I end up being much less stressed as I start my day, and find that I have a lot more patience.
At night, it helps me to reflect on my day. This time I focus on the times during the day that were stressful, bad, or where I struggled with something. I think about those moments, what went right or wrong, and how I can better handle those situations in the future.
There are a lot of apps for mediation these days, but my favorite so far is Breethe. This app has a guided mediation for every situation you can think of!
2. Journaling
Writing down my feelings is one of the best ways I know how to deal with the stresses of life. It’s amazing how much you can learn about yourself when you write down the things that made you angry throughout the day. Having a release to vent every thought going through my head, without having to actually talk to anyone, is very therapeutic. Sometimes I worry that someone will read my journal and think I’m a lunatic, but then that’s more their problem than mine!
Journaling also helps me to focus on the good in my life. I try to write down as many things that I can that I’m thankful for in each day. This practice has helped me immensely in being able to keep my thoughts in a positive mindset. I am a natural complainer- in any situation I have been known to find a way to complain- but with focusing on gratitude daily, I am able to focus more on the good in my life. I learned this practice from Rachel Hollis, author of the book, “Girl, Wash Your Face”, and I can’t recommend her enough. She’s the life coach that every woman needs in their life. You can check out her blog here!
3. Drink your Water!
This seems like such an easy one, but I can’t explain how hard this is for me! I survived on coffee alone as my beverage of choice for years when I was working long hours. I would barely eat, and found that I was staying awake at work solely by consuming astronomical amounts of coffee.
I have found that if I focus on drinking enough water each day, my body thanks me. I feel so much better, and eat much healthier, when I am properly hydrated.
4. Exercise
I am not in top physical shape. I wouldn’t even say I am in good shape. My shape is more roundish. My kids love it, because Mommy’s belly makes for a good pillow, but I could stand to tone up a bit. Aside from the physical benefits of exercise, it also helps to improve your mood exponentially. If I am having a bad day, a quick run on the treadmill always makes me feel better. And if I make a habit of doing it every day? I actually may lose a pound or two by the end of the week! I call that a win-win.
Side note: I do not recommend running on a treadmill during a windstorm. If the power goes out mid stride, you will be running right into the machine. Trust me, it hurts!
5. Take time to pamper yourself
I don’t care who you are, what you like to do, or how old you are. We all have something that makes us feel good. Whatever that is, make sure to do it as often as possible. It could be listening to your favorite music, reading a good book, or taking a nice long bath. I personally prefer all three of those at once. Maybe throw in a face mask and candle, and you’ve stumbled upon my weekend ritual.
Whatever it is that makes you happy and lifts your mood, try to make time throughout the week to pamper yourself. Some people think that pampering has to cost a lot of money, but there are so many things you can do at home to spend time nurturing yourself. Check out Pinterest if you need ideas!
I hope that if you are navigating a journey similar to mine, that some of these ideas help you to take better care of yourself.
And if you have any other suggestions or ideas please comment and share them with me!
It’s About Time 