Janell Loving
A
couple of years ago, I read an article in Yoga
Journal that
touched me profoundly. It was about the way we approach the Holiday
season and the impact our self-care intentions have on every
interaction. That article facilitated my awareness and allowed me to
identify what core principles were important to me for self care. As
you will see below, my self-care tips are simple and very easy to
incorporate into a daily routine. I encourage you to think about the
foundations that you need to create your own best self care routine.
Eating
Well
Virginia
Woolfe wrote, “One
cannot think well, love well, or sleep well if one has not dined
well.”
This is absolutely one of my favorite quotes, and it reminds me that
eating well is one of the best ways to take care of yourself. A
healthy diet provides energy to get through a busy day, supports your
mood, helps maintain healthy weight, and keeps you looking your best.
I strive for a well-rounded diet consisting of whole grains, fresh
fruits,vegetables, healthy fats, and lean sources of proteins. The
other important component to eating well for me is reconnecting with
the food I eat and nourishing my body in a way that is balanced and
free of conflict.
Exercise
Movement
in the form of exercise helps to keep the organs healthy by promoting
circulation of blood, lymph and energy. It helps maintains strong,
flexible muscles and optimum joint health. It also allows you to
release the mind and invigorate the senses back to a restful state of
balance. Exercise is an incredibly important part of self-care as it
provides the cornerstone for health, endurance, and vitality, to
allow the physical body to support the spirit and mind. It is
important to find exercises that suit your personality and do not
create a conflict and struggle each time you try engage in the
activity. I strive for exercise routines that invigorate the body and
fit into the routine of my day.
Sleep
Sleep
is one of my most treasured and elusive commodities. It allows all
aspects of our being to rejuvenate and repair, providing the downtime
that our bodies desperately crave. When we are young, we tend to
fight it to ensure that we don't miss anything; as we get older, most
of us find that we just don't ever seem to get enough. Most adult
women need between 8 and 10 hours of sleep a night. I found that
statistic almost laughable, only because I am not sure I know anyone
that is able to indulge in a full 10 hours of sleep on a regular
basis with the pressures and demands that come from our daily lives.
Retreat
and Rest
In
our culture, the words rest and retreat have become dirty words.
They almost imply something luxurious, something indulgent, something
selfish. The reality is, taking time for yourself is one of the
healthiest thing you can do. As women we expend so much of our energy
outward, and do not take the time to retreat and allow ourselves the
true opportunity to refuel and adequately rest. I have found that if
I don't slow down, allowing myself the space to reconnect with my
inner self, it is difficult to be present or give to anyone else. A
retreat for me is as simple as a 15 minute afternoon break with a cup
of Jasmine green tea. It allows me a bit of an escape and the
opportunity to recollect my thoughts and finish out the day.
Quieting
the Mind
In
a world devoted to constant communication and noise, how often do you
take the opportunity to still the mind and just listen? A friend of
mine refers to this as 'unplugging'. Whether you choose to use
meditation, prayer, or simple quiet time, a mindfulness is created
through these activities that is a great way to cultivate internal
spaciousness for the mind and spirit. Meditation has been
scientifically proven to help with increased concentration,
decreased stress, enhanced immunity, and many other amazing benefits.
I have found that just 5 or 10 minutes of quiet time to start my day
allows me the opportunity to connect with that still, small voice
within and tap into my inner self. Finding this inner peace, even
for a few moments, allows me to establish an independence from
external stressors that occur during the day. Initially, I didn't
consider my 5/10 minute morning stillness to actually be meditation.
I thought that meditation must be a longer more focused activity, but
what I have discovered is that the length of time in meditation is
not the important part in my routine, it is the consistency. Five
minutes each morning creates a substantial impact on my physical,
mental, and emotional well-being for the day.
A
well-nourished body allows us to meet life filled up. Any self-care
activities we do provide energy to participate and give, to meet
daily challenges, and to be present in each moment, maintaining
wellness and enjoying life at its fullest potential. Take time to
nourish yourself.
