Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Wheel of Life - Self-Care Tips

With an already bursting schedule of to-dos and demands from others, it can seem impossible to find time to treat ourselves lovingly.  Fortunately, there are many ways to be attentive to your needs that don't require a lot of time or money.

Make it a Priority.  The most significant self-care tip is,... to perform self-care.  It is absolutely crucial that you commit to taking care yourself.  Decide that you are important enough to deserve to be treated well.  Recognize that your family deserves for you to be well-rested, balanced, and healthy.  Accept that only you can do this, and you are damn-well going to do it.

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Plan Ahead.  If you leave your own well-being to chance, it just isn't going to happen.  You might think of ideas after the fact or you might not give it another thought.  Either way, you will not be doing healthy things for yourself.  Take a few minutes to plan ahead a couple of ways that you are going to indulge in self-care in the next few days.

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Have a List.  Have a few ideas at the ready so that if you find you have 10 minutes or an hour free (it could happen, lol), you have some easy options just ready to apply.  A few easy ones:  light a candle or incense, keep a book of poetry in your purse and read while in line, hide really nice cookies up high in the cupboard and enjoy a couple with a cup of tea.

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Use What you Already Do.  We have so many chores and errands and duties that we are already committed to performing.  If we can incorporate some self-indulgence into these tasks, it won't cost us any extra time and we'll come away from the experience feeling refreshed.   Here are some suggestions:

Having tea?  Have it in a fabulous china tea cup.
Getting groceries?  Pick up fresh flowers to bring home.
Waiting in line? Read some poetry you keep in your purse.
Cleaning the house? Blast some super fun music.


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By putting a small effort into planning to take better care of yourself, you'll be surprised at how easy it is to fit things into your schedule.



12 comments:

Danni@SiloHillFarm said...

As always...thanks for the reminder! I have to say that I love that we have a Starbucks in my grocery store...I treat myself to one while I shop. I totally could turn on some music while I clean house....don't know why I haven't.

Tina Bradley said...

Love it! Thanks for this message--so very important for us women to remember--and act upon. Have a great day! T.

Carol-Anne said...

You know, even when I'm crazy busy (which feels like always!) I try to make time for self-care. I always have. It's the only think that keeps me from completely losing my mind!

Such nice ideas in this series!

Pam @Threading My Way said...

So important, Terry!!! Loud music does make the housework more tolerable.

Kara at Petals to Picots said...

Great advice, Terry!

Adrianne Surian said...

When I make coffee at home, I have a whole collection of "special" mugs. Some are feminine, some are edgy, some are inspiring, and it seems so silly but it really does help me set the tone for the day.

Great suggestions. I love the one about the flowers, I hadn't thought of that, but yeah - why not treat myself to something pretty, just because? ;)

Unknown said...

I had been buying myself flowers....., and then I stopped. I think I'm going to pick some up today! And while I'm at it I might get a fun mug to have some herbal tea in that sounds nice. I often hide treats in the cupboard for myself. Te,he,he When I REALLY need a break I lock myself in the bathroom for a minute and scarf down a cookie.:)

Annie said...

These things seems simple and easy to do, but we tend to forget in our busy lives. Thanks for the advice!

Macey said...

Sadly, women seem to forget this too much.

Ann from On Sutton Place said...

Words of wisdom. All of this is very well said. I love the one about having tea in a fabulous cup. I never do that and am going to start. I moved to WordPress and am trying to figure things out. I'm not sure I'm updating on blog rolls or in readers. Come visit me if you have time! Enjoy the rest of your week. ~Ann

Maureen Hayes said...

I am the Queen of Self Care because I live with so many chronic illnesses that it is a necessity and I have gotten pretty creative since my life changes from moment to moment and I have had to learn to roll with the punches.

I love to read, and I can't always do so everyday, so I have started taking Playaways out of my library (they are individual MP3's with a whole book loaded on each one) and I listen to it while I do dishes, fold laundry, clean, etc. . . I get through a lot of books this way.

I also use my "down" time at doctors offices or waiting in lines to create my gratitude list, plan my next art project, etc. . .

Having a phone with a camera has allowed me to capture the beautiful little moments in life - whether it is a flower on a walk or a friends baby laughing.

Thanks for the important reminder to all of us that we are WORTH taking care of and we deserve to do good things for ourselves each day, it isn't selfish, it is loving one's self!

Magic Love Crow said...

Great advice! Excellent ;o)

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