What do you think of when you hear the phrase self care?
A day at the spa? A luxurious massage? Mud masks and cucumbers? Self care can mean a lot of things. And although it can include the things mentioned above, it usually doesn't look like that for everyone. And it doesn't have to! Self care is anything you do for yourself that helps you feel your best. It's taking time out of your schedule to actually prioritize yourself. It's that moment where we can take a breathe and ask ourselves: how are my needs being met today? Are they being met at all?
Developing your own unique self care ritual is a beautiful way to celebrate yourself, and guarantee that you're showing up fully for your life. It's about building a strong foundation within ourselves, so when things go array we have a place to return to. A place that feels familiar and safe amidst the chaos of everyday life. This week I started incorporating these 5 simple practices to see what would happen. And although the practices themselves are pretty simple, their impact could be felt throughout the rest of my day. I have had an overall more positive attitude, feel better rested, less stressed, and more in the general flow of life. Have something you'd like to add? Write it in the comment section below. And this week, start brainstorming all the little ways you take care of you.
1. Getting Up Earlier
Let's get to know each other a little better. My name is Keriann and I am not a punctual person. Not only am I not punctual, I am a certified grump before 8 am. It's not that I am particularly a night owl, I just think getting out of bed is the most devastating part of the day. I hate it. And you think since its something that happens everyday it'd get easier; but it doesn't. That all being said, this week I have pledged to get my butt up and moving dare I say it 5 minutes after my alarm goes off instead of my usual 15-20! An actual modern day miracle. 6:05 am I'm looking at you.
Because let's face it, no one wants to start their day already crunched for time. No one wants to rush through even the most basic routines such as personal hygiene and meal prep. Giving myself an extra 5 or 10 minutes in the morning means I can take my time getting ready, set some intentions for the day, and cuddle my dog (easily the biggest win). I'm not suggesting you wake up an entire hour earlier so you can make the most fabulous gourmet breakfast, meditate, work out, and blah blah blah. But if that is what you're into that's great too! But give yourself enough time in the morning to meet your needs and start your day on the right foot.
2. Transition Time Between Work & Play
When I get home from work, the 8 year old child in me would love nothing more than to plop on the couch with a stack of oreos and 2 hrs of tv staring me in the face instead of that dirty stack of dishes. And before you know it it's after 6 and not only have I done nothing, but all the high and mighty plans I dreamed of doing all day have lost their steam.
Creating time after work to transition into my evening has been so essential for me. It helps me set intentions and go into the rest of my day with a clear steady mind. This can look like a lot of things depending on your personal schedule and lifestyle. My house has a wood burning stove, so this time of year I like to get home, start a fire, make a cup of tea, and meditate or stretch for 10 minutes. Once the house is warmed up and the work day forgotten, I am ready to begin whatever new projects I have on my mind with a more focused and intent energy.
3. Meditate
This one has become a non negotiable for me FINALLY. And I honestly do not understand why it took me so damn long. I have meditated on and off for years. Nothing ever special. Nothing too committed. And no I have not experienced any enlightening break throughs from my practice. At least not yet. But I find that committing to a 10 minute meditation a day has had a profound impact on the way I show up for my life. I am able to approach conflict and stress with greater ease. I am able to see the humor in my mundane daily suffering. I am able to sit in silence more easily without the constant need to be distracted or entertained. ANd I am able to see the things I'd like to create for myself more clearly. I truly believe we are only open to receive when are living fully in the present. So plan and scheme all you want, but unless you can fully appreciate whee you are now, you aren't getting anywhere new fast.
If you're interested in trying meditation but don't know where to start. I recommend the app Insight Timer. I love it because it is very user friendly, has a huge variety of meditations, music and lectures, and IT"S FREE.
4. Drinking More Water
Not only am I not a morning person, I am also not a coffee person. The best advice I got after taking a job with a very early start time (something I was having a hard time adjusting to) was: drink more water when you wake up. Sounds so simple it's stupid right? But it was a game changer for me and I stick by it.
Are you feeling tired, stagnant, achey, grumpy, or anxious? Drink more water. Are you having crazy food cravings throughout the day? Drink more water. Constipated? More water. Headache? More water.
If you really want to step it up, add a lemon wedge and a splash of ACV to your morning glass for an extra punch. This will flush out your system first thing and alkalize your body.
5. Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is the Ayurvedic practice of swishing oil around in your mouth (like mouth wash) to achieve better dental and gut hygiene. The idea is that the oil binds to the plaque and bad bacteria in the teeth and gums, drawing out the icky stuff and therefore cleaning your mouth and whitening your teeth naturally. Try using coconut oil or sesame oil.Store bought mouth wash kills bad AND good bacteria in your mouth, weakening your overall immune system by throwing off the balance of bacteria and damaging the gut. We also become reliant on it if used too much, because without the good bacteria, the bad bacteria can flourish, causing bad breath and poor dental health. Oil pulling is a more natural holistic approach to dental care.
I have heard many professionals suggest that you should oil pull first thing in the morning, before you've had any food. This is because your body has been fasting overnight and a lot of the bacteria is sitting in your mouth. Bad morning breath much?! This is the reason oil pulling is great for digestion and gut health. It is ridding your mouth of toxins and bacteria, instead of letting them get swallowed and transported into the gut. Although I agree this is probably the best time, I actually like to do my oil pulling in the evening, after work while I shower. The reason for this is simply because I am NOT a morning person and find I just won't make the time. I'm more likely to remember to do it after work, when I am not feeling rushed and am more relaxed. Doing it at a time that actually works for me is better than not doing it at all. And I believe this is true for any self care practice you take up. 3-5pm is my sweet spot of the day and that is when i practice most of my self care rituals. Find what works for you! Everyone is different.
There you have it: my top five self care practices. If you're going through a hectic time, o just want to feel more grounded and on top of things, pick one of these to make time for. Then let me know how it went in the comment section below!