Self care should always be apart of your daily routine and if not possible, schedule into your weekly routine. Make it just as important and as frequent as grocery shopping, sleeping or putting gas in the car! When you take care of yourself, you are better equipped to take care of those around you.
You can start by simply making a list of things that you enjoy doing. Anything can be considered self care! Here are a few ideas:
- Listen to a podcast about topics you are interested in
- Enroll in a new skills class
- Write in a journal
- Meditate
- Take a relaxing bath/hot steaming shower
- Read a book
- Draw a picture
- Say out loud to yourself how you are feeling and why you are feeling that way
- Listen to music
- Breathe
I know a few of these things seem very simple and like they may not make a difference but I would urge you to try one before making an assumption that it will not work for you. For instance, as you guys know, I am a mom, student, employee and small business owner, so my mind is always running a million miles an hour.
Sometimes, in order to clear my mind, I sketch! I use to draw ALOT as a child and I was pretty good at it but then I stopped. I recently picked it back up as a hobby to relax when I feel a little overwhelmed. Going back to things you once enjoyed as a child evokes nostalgia and promotes the release of dopamine. It sometimes helps to delve back into activities you once did as a child or to find new ones that you have always been interested in but never really tried.