Self-Care

 

Photo by Jackson David on Unsplash

Are you an exasperated Mum, a workaholic or do you just neglect to take care of yourself? Do you just need to relax some? It might be a good idea to spend half an hour a day doing self-care. Following are many ideas to help you to include some self-care into your life. 

Do Aroma-therapy: make some perfume, deodorant cologne or spray freshener. Or use a diffuser, or an oil burner. Here is my article on aroma-therapy here. 

Take a nap: Lie down for half an hour. Try not to think of what you should be doing and try to get the most out of your rest by just switching off for a while. 

Read something inspiring: There's nothing like a good book to blow away the cobwebs. Whether you prefer fiction, reference or motivational literature, reading is guaranteed to teach you something new and give you new perspectives and ideas. 

Do affirmations: Train your sub-conscious mind with positive affirmations. You can find affirmations all over the web for anything from success to health to wealth, to productivity, to happiness. Write some on index cards and try to memorise a few of them each day.  

Save money:

Open a savings account. If you can find a notice saver where you have to give notice to withdraw your money it helps to curb spending and squirrel away some dollars. Remember to save money today to have even more tomorrow. Try to invest some money. 

When you're grocery shopping and buying retail try to buy things that are sale and stock up on the things you use a lot.  Do your grocery shopping online so that you can keep a running tally and delete things you don't really need or can't afford. Delivery saves on time, energy and transport costs. 

Stretch: Stretching relieves sore muscles, reduces stress and aids in relaxation. It improves flexibility and range of motion. It is particularly good for desk workers and can reduce your chances of RSI. So yes, touch your toes, lean sideways, exercise your neck and, stretch your arms and hands. 

Have a cold blast in the shower: If you can stand it this practice increases energy and improves the immune system. 

Take your medicine. / See if you can stop taking your medicine or reduce it. Obviously if you go to the doctors and they give you medicine you will probably have to take it. But if you can cure yourself with food, natural medicines and lifestyle choices then that is good. You have to try to be responsible for your own health. Don't stop taking anything without your doctor's permission. 

Have sex! Well I don't need to explain this one. But if you can you're lucky and it's a great rejuvenator, brings nutrients to the face and body and even burns calories.  

Sing: I am never more happy than when I sing. Listen closely to your favourite music and sing along. You might even want to learn an instrument such as guitar or piano. 

Write morning pages: Purge all the shit out of your system by writing morning pages. Morning pages were adapted by Julia Cameron in the Artist's way and her other books as a morning practice to out-smart the inner critic, express yourself and listen to yourself and the world around you. The idea is to write 3 A4 pages of just stream of consciousness. But I personally hand-write on my phablet, it saves paper. I practice it for 10 minutes, but you can do more if you like. 

Go on artist dates:  Artist dates were also invented by Julia Cameron. It is where you take yourself, by yourself to a special place to gain some insight and inspiration. For example, Chinatown, Chinese Gardens, A new park you haven't been to before, A walk around the neighbourhood, an art exhibition, a book reading, a funky bar or cafe, An up-market boutique, The Botanical Gardens, The mountains or a beach, or a weekend away, a mani or pedi or a day spa treatment.  

Buy some new clothes: Please rescue old clothes from Op-shops. Fast fashion is the 2nd most international culprit of environmental damage. If you sew try to upcycle remnants from op-shops or even make requests on your buy nothing in your local area facebook page. 

Do the housework: Clean up for an hour a day. Deep clean once a week. Your mind will thank you. You'll be more organised, combat germs, and be more orderly, be able to find things, have space to do things not to mention it will look nicer for yourself and your guests. Every so often do a spring clean. This is the housework equivalent to a body detox so, get in there and de-clutter!

Do the spring cleaning You will love this once you get going. Spend a day or two deep cleaning each room of your house. You only have to do this every so often but make sure you do, do it. It will uplift the atmosphere of your home and get rid of germs and bugs. 

Redecorate

Pick the house up with a few new cushions and throws. It's amazing what a new painting for the wall, or some throws or new table-cloths can refresh your place. Some ideas are:

• A dream-catcher
• A painting
• Cushions
• Throws
• Bed cover
• Pillowslips
• Table cloth
• Flowers
• Plants
• Bowls
• Curtains
• Glasses
• Cups
• Scent of some kind

Watch the sunset / sunrise: Watching the sunset and sunrise can be good for your mind and body. It will help to set your body clock. Not only that it is a beautiful experience. You might even get some great photo's. 

Go to the beach or the mountains: Try to go outdoors once a week. Sea air is always rejuvenating. Walking in the soft sand is one of the best work-outs that you can do. And if you like swimming what can be more enjoyable than frolicking in the waves. It's a great way to soak up the sun. Make sure you wear sun-screen, hat, shade and overlay. Too much sun causes skin cancers. Climbing mountains defies gravity. It is one of the best ways to refresh, get in touch with nature and keep fit. 

Go to an art gallery: Art appreciation can be relaxing and inspiring. It will nourish your mind and fuel your creativity. It makes for a nice day out and doesn't usually cost too much, some exhibitions are free. You can even start your own collection. 

Socialising is good for your mental health: And what's good for your mental health can be good for your physical health. Following are some ideas of how to get out there and mix a bit. You can do these things by yourself or with friends, but you will still be out amongst people.

• Have brunch with friends and then head to the markets
• Go out on a date
• Go to an art gallery or museum.
• Go to the gym
• Look for events and things to do in your local community
• Do a class or workshop
• Join toastmasters
• Go out dancing
• Go to a show
• Look for things relevant to your hobbies or work on meetup.com
• Go to a restaurant. 
• Go to the library
• Browse in bookshops. 
• Go to the beach or the mountains
• Go camping
• Go away for the weekend
• Go out on an artists date. 

Do some needle-work: Crochet, knitting, embroidery, cross stitch, diamond dot, tapestry and hand sewing help you to concentrate a soothe the mind. Not only that but that you can enjoy the reward of the finished product, which you can hang on the wall or give as a gift. 

Have a date night and get a baby-sitter: How long since you have done this? I hope you can do it at least every few months. 

Sit down and draw: Art is a great way to while away the time. If you're at a loose end or have insomnia or something drawing or painting will stand you in good stead. The practice of art is supportive to many other skills such as graphic design, design and general creativity. 

Do some craft. Crafting is a great hobby to do in your spare time. If you already craft make sure you make some time for yourself to practice, and don't always be doing stuff for everybody else. Some examples of things you can try include:

• Carving
• Wood-work
• Upcycling things from around the house like bottles and boxes. 
• Knitting and crochet
• Needlework
• Embroidery
• Sewing
• Engraving
• Candle-making
• Leather-work

Be compassionate towards yourself. Sometimes you need some down-time and a rest. Human beings are not machines. Do something to conserve energy like doing a bit less, having a nap and taking breaks. 

Read a magazine: Chill out for an hour with a cuppa and magazine pertaining to something you enjoy. What a great way to relax. Later, use your magazines for vision boards and collages. 

Cook something: How about having some friends over to dinner. You can have a theme such as Asian, Italian, French or even Middle Eastern. Then you can play after-dinner games. Don't forget to eat nutritious food. 

Watch your nutrition: The first rule is to eat at least 3 veggies a day including leafy greens. Basic nutrition includes servings of vitamins, minerals, protein, fats, water and carbs. Good nutrition also includes omitting things like White flour, processed food, sugar and alcohol. Nutrition supports you body, health and well-being. The right foods can boost your immune system and help prevent various diseases including cancer. The Mediterranean diet Is a good place to start. 

Have a health food smoothie: 

Use any or all of these, or make up your own. 

In a blender mix:

1. Banana
2. Blueberries
3. Gut health sachet
4. Spirulina
5. Maca
6. Wheatgerm
7. Yoghurt (or vegan yoghurt)

Blend for about one minute and enjoy. 

Take supplements: Okay, so there are millions of products out there competing for your attention that claim to be good for your health and well being. It is unlikely that things fill all of the claims. And taking everything you like can add up financially. So I think you should choose carefully the supplements you take and try to buy them when they're on sale. I'd say research reputable web-sites to make sure the stuff actually does anything. That said I am a fond believer of herbal medicine and sometimes natural is better and has less side effects. I mean at least your are taking responsibility for your health and not running to the doctor all the time taking gazillion medications.  So for whatever reason you need supplements you will need to search for the right treatments, A few basic suggestions follow: 

Fish Oil is meant to be good for your brain, heart and joints. Alternatively you can buy vegan omega 3 capsules. 

Curcumin is meant to be good for anti-aging and joints.

 

Multi-vitamins, we all need a bit of a boost now and again, but ultimately you should get all your vitamins from your food and not need a vitamin supplement. Your doctor can test your vitamin levels such as iron and vitamin D in a blood test and advise you of what supplements you need if any. 

Things pertaining to your particular conditions, to support good health. Be careful when researching remedies for your ailments there are a lot of sharks out there. But if you can find good quality herbal medicine that really helps you then you can use that to your benefit. 

Apple-cider vinegar. You have never heard so much shit than you hear about apple cider vinegar that it is a cure all for tens or hundreds of ailments. But apples are healthy and perhaps it does some good for some things for example for acid reflux. Anyway it's cheap so it can't hurt to have a teaspoon in  a glass of water daily. 

Take a class: Try something new, a new craft, hobby or language. Get out of the house and do something constructive around and with other people. 

Eat less. Everybody should do this but hardly anybody does. Try to keep your eye on your portion sizes. As the Tibetan saying goes, 'Eat half, walk double, laugh triple and love without measure'.  

De-clutter: Go through all your stuff. Very carefully weigh up whether to keep it or discard it. With the things you discard, gift them or give them to charity. If they are broken beyond repair throw them away or recycle if you can. 

Give to charity. If you can afford it, donate a bit to charity. There are people out there who are less fortunate than you. 

Look after your posture: Be cognizant of sitting up straight.  Get an ergonomic desk chair. Try the table top exercise. Try rowing. There are even special support tops that can help to correct your posture. 

Go to a day spa, or get a massage from your friend or partner. Get massages, acupuncture, reflexology or a float tank. 

Have a routine. Build into it time for self care. 

Detox: You can detox every three months if you like. You will basically be living on juice and some tiny snacks such as protein balls for the weekend. You won't exert yourself and can maybe include a full body mud mask, a dry brush exfoliation, a facial and a hair treatment. Don't do any work just relax, read a book and listen to music. Try some meditation. 

Do-in: Do-in is a self-shiatsu system or healing. It is meant to open the meridians and increase the flow of chi (Life force). It is easy to apply and can make you feel good. There are many you-tube videos and the like that teach shiatsu. Here is a page with some simple shiatsu routines you might like to try for self-care:  Do-in

Take a hot tub. Add bath-salts and bath-oil to a hot bath and have a good long soak. It's great for relaxing tired muscles and mind. It warms you up in winter and gives you some time out from everything else. 

Do Yoga. I have written other posts on yoga but I can't tell you how good it is. It's stretches and releases your muscles, is relaxing and a proven mood enhancer. It puts you in touch with yourself and others. It improves strength and flexibility as well. Here is my article on yoga here. 

Well I hope you can take-away a few ideas to implement self-care into your life. Whether it's socialising, craft or massage it can help to rejuvenate you and actually increase your energy for everything else. Loving yourself and practicing compassion towards yourself is the first step in loving and caring for others. Self-care can prevent burn-out and protect your health and well-being.