Art by @black_fenrir
Cultivating a self- care practice is not always sexy and hi-brow, wrapped in a vacations, gym memberships, spa treatments or fancy classes sometimes it’s mundane, a bore, but powerful none the less. Here are 10 self care actions that can simply improve your quality of life.
- Get out the house and letg the sun, wind or rain hit you. Sometimes the very act of getting up and out is radical, feeling the elements can have healing power.
- For those like myself who don’t cry, simply let it flow.
- Eat your vegetables so you can take a dump. Do yo know how many of us are actually “full of shit?” Eating leafy green vegetable will help with bloating and make you feel lighter.
- Say no to the 3rd cookie, extra sliver of cake or pie, treat yourself but don’t go ham!
- Floss. Some may say it is simply good hygiene to floss but many of us still don’t do it regularly (myself included) Be good to your gums.
- Prep your clothes the night before so that yo don’t have to fly around like a bat out of hell screaming at everyone in your path. Let your morning be peaceful.
- Make your bed as soon as you wake up. I swear by the making of the bed because it means I completed at least one thing for the day. The designer in me is reminded that most peoples beds take up 80% of their room, so if your bed is made your room “presents” clean. Not to mention the joy it gives when you make it back home to see that fresh bed waiting.
- Disconnect for 30-60 minutes. Choose a time to disengage from the world online.
- Tend to something that’s been annoying you. Sew that button back on, take off the old nail polish, clean out the fridge. Many might say how is this taking care of myself when it involves work, but I’d ask how is it not? You are no longer wasting mental energy on it and you have accomplished something. Accomplishments great or small are huge for our self esteem
- Schedule your next appointment. When was your last physical, gyn appointment, pap? Making sure you schedule and keep doctors appointments are critical and a huge way to show yourself love and care.
Self care is about being intentional, doing something for yourself, acknowledging your needs and your right to be taken care of. Sometimes it is simply the act of getting up or getting something done, taking that first step in cultivating a habit however mundane will be beneficial. The next time you think about how you don’t have the time or finances to treat yourself think about the simple things that would make life a bit easier, therefore better. This is a start, what would you add to this list?
