Self-Care is Essential!

Self-care is an essential aspect of life that is often overlooked in today's busy world. Many people think that taking care of themselves is a luxury that they cannot afford, but the truth is that self-care is a necessity that should be scheduled just like a doctor's appointment. If you do not take care of yourself, you will not be able to function at your best, and you will not be able to help others around you.

Ask me how I know....

At the end of this past summer, I found myself battling not only life's challenges, but also a case of pneumonia. The illness required me to take a few days to rest, and thanks to the support of some close friends and a women's conference, I was forced to take a moment to reflect. It became clear that I had not been taking care of myself as well as I should have. I was neglecting myself.

One of the reason why i was neglecting myself was because of all of the ‘ings. You know, momm’ing, wife’ing, work’ing, school’ing. The ing’s. All of my responsibilities. and I felt guilty when I would try to go see and do for me.

One of the most important things to remember about self-care is that it is not selfish. This is the lesson I learned and have to continue to learn. Because life will have you believing you do not to take time for yourself, that you do not need to get out of the house, that you don’t need to walk around Target, that you don’t need that cup of coffee and to sit in your car and drink it because the baby is napping or the kids aren’t even in the car.

 LIES! LIES!! LIES!!! You do need it.

It is not something that you do to indulge yourself. It is something that you do to take care of yourself so that you can be the best version of yourself. It is also important to remember that self-care is not a one-time event. It is something that you need to do every day. Not just a ritual you do once a week. I am a firm believer of taking your 20 minutes. Sometimes we just need 20 minutes to sit and be, no matter what our roles and responsibilities are. We need 20 minutes. Take your 20 minutes.

There are many different ways that you can practice self-care. You can take a bubble bath, go for a walk, go to therapy, read a book, listen to music, pray or do something else that you enjoy. The important thing is to make the time for yourself and to prioritize your own needs. So, take the time to schedule some self-care each day just like you would a doctor's appointment.

Daily self-care is like taking a daily vitamin. And is just as simple as taking your vitamins. Self-care is different for everybody. One of things I like doing is walking around Target with a cup of coffee and no kids! Or going to the grocery store alone! I enjoy sitting in my car and listening to music. I will purposely go to pick my kids up early from wherever they are just to sit in the car and will make sure to send them a text saying “Hey I’m here, but no need to rush, come out when you’re done.”

 As women, we often get carried away with activities that we believe make us feel better. It's great to have your hair and nails done or purchase a new outfit, and these activities can be a form of self-care for many. However, taking care of yourself can be as simple as clearing out your closet, tidying up your space, attending church, spending time with a close friend, indulging in some pizza you both swore off, and letting your children run around the house playing.

Here are some benefits of self-care to think about.

1.  Improved physical health

2. Reduced stress levels

3. Increased productivity

4. Enhanced overall well-being.

5. Increased energy levels

6. Better mood

Engaging in self-care activities such as exercise, meditation, or spending time in nature can help to improve your physical health by reducing the risk of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Additionally, self-care can help to reduce stress levels by giving you the time and space you need to relax and recharge. This can help you feel more focused, energized, and productive in your daily life. Ultimately, practicing self-care can lead to a happier, more fulfilling life by helping you to prioritize your own needs and improve your overall sense of well-being.

Self- care is not selfish but can seem that way when we don’t have established boundaries, rules and expectations set around our time. This looks like setting an appointment with yourself, letting your family and friends know that at a particular time on a set date you will be unavailable for 30 minutes or more and to not disturb you well, unless they are apart of your self-care activity.

The December Self-Care Challenge: Make a Fresh Start to the New Year

Join us in our quest to kick off the new year the right way by participating in our self-care challenge. Here's what you need to do:

1. Compile a list of 15 activities that you enjoy. Anything goes - from reading to listening to music, to going the gun range, to getting coffee.

2. Schedule 30 minutes each day from December 16th to December 31st to complete one activity from your list.

3. Treat this commitment like any other appointment on your calendar. Don't miss it, Show up on time. Be ready.

4. Find an accountability partner who will hold you to the challenge.

Follow me on Instagram @tamaralynna as I will be sharing my list and doing the challenge too.