Is Self-Care A Luxury?

Most people think of self-care as a luxury rather than a necessity; participating in self-indulgent activities that require extra time out of their busy schedule isn't doable on a regular basis. Examples are bubble baths, manis/pedis, massages, organizing, regular dinner out with friends, date night and arranging for a babysitter, etc.

Self-care is so much more than luxurious, feel-good activities. It's an effective way to handle the stress in your life. In fact, a simple self-care plan in all five of  the following areas can be inexpensive and incorporated into every day life. 

5 Areas of Self-Care

1. Mental - Maintaining a sharp mind aids in critical thinking and problem solving. Studies show that challenging your mind can lessen the chances of getting Alzheimer's. Mental activities can teach you to think outside the box when problems arise.

Stimulating the mind can include strategy games and puzzles, self-learning about interesting topics, reading inspirational books, and learning a new hobby.

2. Emotional - Effective coping skills help deal with uncomfortable emotions like anger, sadness, grief, anxiety, and depression. What situations trigger a negative response? Self-regulation builds resilience during hardship.

Emotional coping skills include journaling your thoughts; sharing your feelings with family, friends, or a counselor; deep breathing exercises, and finding the positive in situations. You can read my blog on overthinking here.

 3. Physical - This type of self-care includes nourishing your body through healthy nutrition, restful sleep, and regular movement. These activities are usually done on a daily basis and are beneficial to managing stress and your overall health.

Notice I said movement instead of exercise. I'll be honest, I despise the word "exercise" so I use "move" instead. I've been sedentary the past few years due to breathing difficulties prior to my heart transplant. I dislike the idea of exercising but I don't mind moving. Yes, I realize it's silly but it works for me. Moving involves walking, house cleaning, yardwork, going up and down stairs, etc. 

4. Social - We are social creatures and need positive relationships. This doesn't mean we have to have a large number of friends to socialize with. However, it is important to have a few close friends we feel comfortable being ourselves.

 Volunteering in the community is a great way to meet new people with a common interest. Helping others in need is a positive experience which results in gratitude for all involved. It takes the focus off our problems and replaces it with compassion for others.

 5. Spiritual - As a Christian, I highly encourage you to follow a daily reading plan or listen to the bible on audio. Doing this 15 minutes a day can make a difference. There are free bible apps that can be downloaded. Listening to Christian music can lift your spirits, too. Make a playlist of your favorite artists.

I can't imagine going through hardship without my faith. My faith keeps me hopeful because I know God can bring good out of every situation. God has performed miracles in my life that are constant reminders that He is the God of the Impossible. To read my story, click here.

Too Busy For Self-Care?

In today's world of advanced technology, we should have more time on our hands to make self-care a priority so we can manage our stress level and enjoy life. Unfortunately, our calendars are overbooked with activities.

How do we fit all of our activities in a 24-hour day? We can't get a good night's sleep because we worry we might forget about a deadline or task that must be done tomorrow. It's easier to go through the fast-food drive-thru and bring dinner home for the family. Maybe tomorrow you'll get home on time from work and you can make a healthier dinner but tonight you're exhausted. By the way, whoever invented the doggie door was a genius. Your fur babies can let themselves out to do their business in the backyard.

Are we stressed out because we lack time management? Do we spend the extra time on social media or watching NetFlix instead of focusing on the five areas of self-care? If only we could fit an extra 24 hours in our 24-hour day!

A Simple Self-Care Plan That Builds Resilience

A simple, everyday self-care plan can include one activity from the five areas mentioned above. For example, while getting ready or driving to work, listen to 15 minutes of Christian music (spiritual self-care).

During the day, take a 5-10 minute break and do some deep breathing exercises (emotional self-care) or stretching (physical self-care).

Bring a healthy lunch to work and sit outside with co-workers talking about non-office topics (physical, social, and emotional self-care).

In the evening, play a card game with your family or friends (mental self-care) or learn a new hobby (mental self-care). 

See how easy it can be to take care of yourself and manage stress on a daily basis? Make a list of different activities in each category and see how many combinations your can include in your daily schedule. But don't stress about it. Life happens so be resilient. You're striving for progress, not perfection. Enjoy your choices!

What does your daily self-care plan look like?