Until I left my full-time job and moved to Buenos Aires, I don’t think I ever truly understood the importance of self-care. After more than two years of consciously focusing on my health and wellness, I am still figuring out what this ever-evolving idea of “self-care” means and how I can incorporate it in my life.
At first, when I was up to my eyeballs in stress and to-do lists, I saw self-care as a luxury. I took it to mean self-pampering or self-spoiling. Getting massages, spa treatments, getting a pedicure, or my hair done. It was not something that I did very often and it even seemed like a frivolous notion. I only made time for this version of self-care and self-pampering at certain times in my life, such as when I had a free moment over a weekend and could manage to take a break from work, socializing, and thinking about work.
Now, however, I understand that self-care is not a luxury but, rather, an approach to day-to-day life. The approach of self-care is about taking the time to decide what will be best for your own health, wellness, and, ultimately, for your highest good. It is a mindset that says: my heath is important; my wellness is a priority. It is realizing that you are, without a doubt, your greatest resource. And in order to continue doing what you are doing – in your relationships, for your family and friends, for work, within your community, and for the other roles you play – you must be healthy and happy, first and foremost.
As I continue to work to incorporate this approach of self-care, I find that I am much more aware of what is going on in my body, mind, and heart. I take the time to listen to and honor what I need. I try to rest when I need to rest. I am more conscious about preparing food that is healing and delicious. I stay active and walk as often as possible. I balance my Vinyasa flow yoga practice with restorative yoga. I power it out in a workout when I need to burn energy and I rest more during sessions when I am feeling low-energy or exhausted. It is a constant balance and some days are better than others. But making self-care a priority is possible and achievable.
To be happy and healthy – not just physically, but all the way down into your soul – it is important to start figuring out what self-care means to you, right now, just as you are, exactly where you are. To incorporate a day-to-day approach to self-care in your life, you do not need to quit your job, or move to another country, or completely change your current lifestyle. In fact, it is very powerful and impactful to work within the life you are currently living and, over time, transform it into the life you always dreamt you would live.
If you truly believe and fully embody this idea that you are your greatest resource, how would you live your life differently? What would you do more of or less of? If you took better care of yourself and felt happier and healthier, what space would that create in your life? What would you do with all that newfound energy that comes along with good health?
Here are some ideas on ways to incorporate daily self-care in your life.
The best place to start is to look at the daily activities in your life that you can use as a mechanism for self-care.
- Self-care through food. We eat every day, at least three times a day. Why not use this activity as a way to focus on self-care? Figure out what foods increase your energy and a feeling of health in your body. Take the time to buy and prepare healthy foods that fuel your body and taste delicious.
- Self-care through exercise. We all know that we need to exercise regularly to stay healthy. If we can adjust our mindset around exercise, it can become a tool of self-care. The most important piece is learning what it means to exercise compassionately, in a way that helps you connect to your body rather than disconnect from its sensation and feeling. Try out different activities and prioritize the ones that increase your wellness and sense of connection.
- Self-care through rest and relaxation. Rest is vital to our health and wellness. Make it a priority to get enough sleep. Set aside time to relax, let go, and recharge. Experiment to see what gets you into a relaxed state, both physically and mentally. Perhaps yoga or meditation support this, perhaps it is a type of pampering, or even a hobby that helps you be present and creative.
- Self-care through fun. We all need laughter in our lives to reduce stress and take life less seriously. Increase the amount of fun activities that bring you joy. Spend more time with your good friends or children, go dancing, watch movies, or play outside. Whatever your idea of fun is, do more of that.
- Self-care through thoughts & words. Be kind to yourself in the words you use and in the way you regard yourself. Practice letting go of negative self-talk. Think of someone in your life that you love dearly and treat yourself with the same respect that you would show towards that person.
- Self-care through self-reflection. Through reflection, recognize what daily activities support a lifestyle of self-care. Over the course of the day, constantly check in and ask yourself how you are feeling – physically, mentally, and emotionally. Become aware of the activities that leave you feeling drained and those that energize you. It is all about balance so try to balance out or reduce those activities, relationships, or situations that cause you to put your health and wellness on the back-burner.
It takes time and experimentation to figure out how to holistically and constantly take care of yourself and your wellness. Along the way, it is important to surround yourself with people that encourage you to figure out what you need and to take the necessary steps to be healthy. Personally, the support of my husband, family, friends – including Luz Femenina & Body by Banner – has been vital to my self-care. I know I wouldn’t be on this journey of self-care without them.
I would love to hear from you! What has worked for you? How do you incorporate self-care into your life?