Have you ever been stretched so thin that you forget to take care of yourself? I'm sure many of you are saying, "YES, every day"! If so, this is for you. Caring for yourself when you only have a few minutes is so important for your overall well-being.
Several years ago I was stressed! My plate was VERY full! I was helping to take care of my mama with Alzheimer's who couldn’t be out of my site without getting into mischief and I was homeschooling my teenage son as he finished high school. Mom wasn’t sleeping and would wander around the house at all hours getting into everything she could find. She was also wanting to “escape” at every chance she got. If you have ever had a family member with Alzheimer's you know what I am talking about. It is HARD on EVERYONE involved. Despite the hardness of the moment I am beyond grateful for that precious time with mom. I will always cherish it.
During this time EVERY bit of self-care went out the window! Even the simplest things that I was in the habit of doing every day were completely forgotten. I would be lucky to have a shower each day and it only happened if my husband or son were home to watch mom.
It was during this time that I realized how very important self-care really is and that I needed to intentionally take care of myself even if it was something small. I had been bullet journaling for a while, so I made a page that I could quickly look at to find something to do that day to care for me. Because time was so limited, part of the self-care process for me was being in the moment and really appreciating what “indulgent” I got. This made me grateful for the moments and I still appreciate them.
Some of the things on this list are quick for those moments you have NO TIME and others are great when you have a few extra moments to yourself. Whatever your situation there is something here for everyone. Be in the moment and enjoy!
Time with family- Time with family is so important, cherish every precious moment with family and loved ones.
Take a walk- Walking isn’t just good exercise but can lift your mood and is a great way to energize you whether you only have a few minutes or longer.
Call a friend- We live in a texting world but picking up the phone and hearing that familiar voice on the other end can make your day oh so sweet.
Get a pedicure- Enjoy “me time” by getting a manicure, a pedicure, or both! I love happy toes.
Have a cup of tea- Calming relaxing tea can calm the mind and body. Enjoy without distractions.
Take a bath- Melt the stress of the day away with a warm bubble bath or a bath with Epson salts and essential oils. Try Serenity in your bath to help relax you and prepare you for a good night's rest.
Be creative- There is something wonderful about just taking a little bit of time for yourself to be creative. Not creative? Try doodling or coloring.
Go star gazing- Get away from city lights and do some star gazing. Take some time to enjoy the moment.
Buy a plant- Get a plant baby. There are so many great options for house plants. They’re great for decorating and they can even help purify your air.
Get 20 minutes of movement- If you love to work out, GREAT! If you don’t like exercise, choose some form of movement; maybe taking a walk, yoga, stretches, or even 20 minutes of cleaning can get your blood flowing and you will have a cleaner house. WIN-WIN!
Listen to a good song- Music can completely change your mood.
Watch a good movie- Cuddle up with a cozy blanket and popcorn and watch a feel-good movie.
Get a massage- Get those knots worked out and feel relaxed. Your body will thank you.
Take a nap- Sometimes you just need that extra rest to keep going. Don’t feel guilty!
Play a game- We carry Splash Uno cards in our truck so that we can play even when we are out for dinner. Laughter is guaranteed. Play a game that you enjoy and enlist your family to play with you.
Meet a friend for coffee- Take time to catch up on things and share some laughter.
Be thankful- Having a heart of gratitude can make a world of difference in everything you do. If you are struggling with things going on in life write down 10 things you are thankful for. Those struggles will still be there but your focus will change.
Listen to a podcast- There are so many inspiring podcasts out there, pick one.
Watch the sun rise or set- There is something so calming and peaceful about watching a beautiful sunset and something magical about watching a new day break with all the new day's possibilities.
Pray or meditate- This is a perfect way to start your day before everything is crazy busy.
I hope this list has given you ideas to help you INTENTIONALLY care for yourself. You are important and DESERVE care.
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