Self-care impacts our lives in so many positive ways, yet it’s one of those things we don’t do enough. Have you ever just spent a day off from work doing nothing? No chores, no lugging the kids here, there and everywhere, no to-do lists, no dinner to cook, nothing, nada, and zip. Then, have you felt guilty for doing nothing? Or even better, you feel selfish! Eleanor Brownn has this to say ~ “Self-care is not selfish. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.”
In my new position as “freelance entrepreneur”, I have days where absolutely nothing comes together as I would like. I go to bed feeling as though I haven’t lived up to my potential, then I wake up the next day feeling that same way! What if I just needed to “be” that day? Who knows how much good I absorbed without even realizing it?
Have you noticed after taking a vacation, that you feel refreshed, and ready to go, go, go? Have you noticed right before a vacation that you’re barely able to get ready for said vacation? Our bodies have a way of telling us that it’s break time. Our brains tell us, no, there’s more to do, do, do. In our quest for being the perfect mom, sister, daughter, employee, and friend, we tend to forget how to be the perfect self.
How does it work?
There are many ways to practice self-care. Here are a few simple ideas.
- Throw the ball to the dog (or cat) for a few minutes
- My personal fav ~ snuggle with the purring kitten
- Meditate (or just breathe)
- Stop taking work home with you!
- Get a hug or give one!
- Say “thank you”
- Stretch
How do we do it?
How do we know that self-care impacts our lives in a good way? How about we try something and see what happens? If you think “I ain’t got time for that,” try a simple two minute, full-on stop at work.
Get up from your desk (or work station), take a deep breath, stretch your neck, your upper back (reach for the top of the door jamb), grab a glass of water, think of something that makes you smile (your loved ones, rushing streams, snow-covered mountain peaks, waves on the sand, a purple sunset are just a couple of suggestions), then sit back down to it. You may need a second to re-group back to where you were, but you’ll find that your focus is better, your back feels better, and your system will thank you for that glass of water.
Accept that doing nothing is OK, and that self-care impacts the lives of those around you as well. You feel better, they feel better. Win~Win
Thanks for reading and don’t forget~sharing is caring.
Originally published at www.dawnengler.com on May 16, 2016.
Originally published at medium.com