Have you ever found yourself with a mountain of things to do but ran out of mental space? You put it off because you don’t feel well… then the mountain gets bigger. You may hear a lot about self-care from people on the internet promoting pedicures, expensive gifts to themselves, and #treatyourself. Taking care of yourself doesn’t have to be expensive or extravagant though. It can be small things that make you feel most like yourself again.
· Drinking enough water to stay hydrated
· Making sure you eat when you are hungry
· Getting enough quality sleep
· Saying “No” when you need/want to
· Taking a break when you need rest
· Asking for help
· Setting boundaries
· Moving your body
· Connecting with someone you love
· Getting outside
A self-care routine can include material things, but it’s important to also take care of the basics. Is it nice to treat yourself? Sure, but it won’t matter if you aren’t nourishing your body and mind first. Doing daily check-ins with yourself can really help you determine what you need. It’s about taking time to listen to your body. We’re often told this as children but tend to forget when we’re adults. This is especially important for those of us that are taking care of others or have families. We can tap out quickly if we aren’t mindful. It’s impossible to pour from an empty cup.
