Photo by Madison Inouye from Pexel.com
WHAT ‘S IT MEAN?
Are you taking care of yourself; YOU, numero uno, #1? How many times have you been asked that question or heard someone ask it of someone else? What does it actually mean anyway?
I work, I put clothes on every day, I brush my teeth, I eat and sleep just as I was taught as a child. So why is someone daring to ask me such a silly question? Of course I take care of myself all the time.
That’s an excellent question and a very misunderstood one at that. What we fail to take into account is that others can often look at us and see what we can’t. The change in our attitude or patience level, the way we walk, the dark circles under our eyes and tiredness in our face and body, and even the sound and tone of our voice gives others clues that we don’t notice in ourselves.
It’s the intuitive gut feeling humans have when they read signs in someone else or even someone’s energy field. We all have that ability. In some it can be desensitized or lost, but it can be regained. It’s a priceless gift we share with others, It also lets us know that the outside world does see us better than we see ourselves.
WHY DON’T WE?
Some people do know they are not taking care of themselves, but most do not. They ignore the signs in reasons and excuses to themselves why everything else has to be done first. We all know these reasons and excuses; job deadlines, kids schedules, social involvement, or just too tired right now.
DOESN’T MEAN EXPENSIVE
How do we reboot ourselves once we recognize the leak in our own self care? Rarely does it mean lots of money as so many people think it does. Vacation or a weekend away doesn’t have to be the only answer. Self care is what feeds you and helps you relax. Not rev you up by packing up the kids and suitcases, traveling miles away and thinking your going to rest once you get there while sight seeing and running around.
That’s not the only rest and reboot option in the world. Time to yourself to soak in the tub with calming essential oils or candles. Time out in a room away from others to read or nap and listen to your music, not everyone else s. Go to the park alone and sit to really listen to hear the birds sing, the tree leaves rustle or just plain people watch without judgment of yourself and others. A walk by water without the electronic gadgets, just you and nature.
Go get your haircut and take time to yourself afterwards. Go to a museum you always wanted to go to and stay for as long as you want. Sit to have a soothing cup of tea instead of “doing” that thing you think you “have to” do. Go for a drive with no real destination or purpose at the end. Just do it to go and be, explore. So many more options to self care than spending a wade of money and racing time. The options are endless when you let go of expectations and think outside the box.
THE SIMPLEST WAY OF ALL
Even simply breathing can relax you. Yes, breathing. We do it so automatically that we don’t pay attention to how being stressed or overwhelmed can cause us to cut our breathing process down. Just this simple problem contributes too more stress and muscle tension in our bodies, which can lead to headaches, pain and disease. Take 2 to 5 minutes to sit comfortably, think about your breath and relax your muscles. Take slow deep inhalations all the way down to your lower lung in the abdomen while feeling the air fill your body and lungs. Exhale all tension and heaviness out with the out breath. Do the same breathing over and over slowly and with each breath feel the tensions leaving your mind and muscles. Your work is still there to be done when you finish breathing, but you are more relaxed with a clearer head to begin again.
THE BEST REASON
With self care moving in as a priority into your life, it can help bring more peace and less stress with it. The main reason is because you’ve created an “out put” to handle the over loads in your life. You’ve given yourself a chance to regenerate your inner balance to think and feel better. It’s a win win situation all the way around. Caring for yourself is the best way to make sure you are able to take care of those you love and care about. You come first so you have more of you to share with them.
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