With the turn of the New Year it seems to be a great time to evaluate our lives and make some goals of what it is we would like to change or accomplish. What I hear most often is that of losing weight and taking better care of our body. That’s when it occurred to me are we looking to take care of ourselves or is what we really need self-care?
So what exactly is self care?
the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one's own health.
the practice of taking an active role in protecting one's own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress.
To some it might really be a new concept. I know a lot of very selfless people who tend to put there needs, wants and desires in last place. What happens to us as our bucket gets emptied with all that we give to others we get depleted. We need to be taking care of not only our body, but also the mind and soul.
Most of us know what it takes to care for the body. It requires healthy food, water, rest and also exercise to keep it functioning well. But do we know how to nurture and nourish our mind and our soul? Some of the most helpful things that I have found are…
Journaling
inspirational reading
going for a walk
meditation
music
taking a class
talking with someone
emotional processing
We need to take time for ourselves. Even going as far as to schedule the time. It might seem selfish and even hard in the beginning. It is one of the most productive ways that I have found to become our best for not only ourselves but also those around us.
Sara J Thacker, Emotional Health Coach