Self Care for the Soul
Self-care is more than just bubble baths and spa days—it’s about making choices that nurture your well-being, both in the short- and long-term. In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to forget to put ourselves first. We often get caught up in the daily grind—taking care of others, fulfilling obligations, and trying to meet expectations. But the truth is, self-care is essential. It’s not a luxury; it's a necessity.
We make choices every day. We throw around the words self care a lot, but do you know what it is?
Self-Care is when you make choices that improve your physical, mental, or emotional health. These choices aren’t always easy to make, but they are what is best for you. An example would be - you go out for pizza with a group of friends, and you eat a large salad with protein and a small slice of pizza. This way, you nourish your body and eat some pizza with the group.
Self-Comfort is when you make choices that are based on comfort and soothing you in the moment. Same situation, you go out for pizza with a group of friends and this time you eat some salad because you know you should and you eat two pieces of pizza. It offers comfort and pleasure, but is not the best choice and not as healthy.
Self-indulgence is when you make choices that are excessive and you just do whatever you want - in excess. So you’re out with friends and you skip the salad and eat too much pizza and you don’t feel well when you get home.
One of the best ways to take good care of yourself is to find balance in a stressful environment. Let’s face it, life is stressful. Here are a few options to help reduce stress:
Take a moment to breathe
One of the best things about breathing is that you can do it almost anywhere and anytime. You can step away from your desk or maybe sit at your desk. If you set aside one minute you can take 5 deep breaths and after that one minute you will feel better. You can also pull over into a parking lot if you are driving when you feel your shoulders start to go up.
Try a Heart-Centered Meditation: Put your hands on your heart and concentrate on your breath. You can say affirmations while you breathe such as I am safe. I am ok. I am loved. When you put your hands over your heart it has the same effect as giving a hug. Give yourself a hug and feel better.
When you slow down and take a few deep breaths, you induce the Relaxation Response, and that can lower your stress.
Find a Reason to Laugh
Look for the funny side of difficult situations. It was difficult for me to see my mother age and she eventually used a walker. But when our dog saw Mom’s walker, all she could see were the tennis balls on the feet of it and she started barking. That made me laugh and that helped reduce some of my stress.
Call a friend. Cheer up after a hard day by calling that friend who cracks you up.
Watch a comedy. If you’re looking for other ideas, watch a funny movie, video, or tv show that makes you laugh.
The benefit you receive from laughing is that humor drives away tension.
Make Healthy Choices
Eat healthy foods. A balanced diet will make your body more effective in tolerating stress.
Sleep well. Aim for 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night so you wake up feeling refreshed. You can’t handle stress as well when you’re tired and rundown.
Work out. Exercise is a constructive way to handle disturbing news or conflicts at work. You can process your day’s events during a work out or on a walk.
Be Proactive
Create something. Creativity is a stress buster. Find a medium that you enjoy.
Reach out. Build a network of mutually supportive relationships. Connect with family and friends on a regular basis.
Advocate for yourself. Let others know how they can help you. Ask for what you need tactfully and directly.
Create a Calm Refuge
When you live with a lot of chaos in your life, it’s important to have a home that you can return to where you can rest and feel restored so you can go out there and do it again the next day. One of the best things you can do is to create a calm refuge at home where you can do just that. Take a look around, and see which of the following you can do for yourself:
Clear away clutter to reduce anxiety
Add scent like lavender and chamomile
Play music to create the mood you want
Sit in silence - let it soothe you
Bring nature into your home like plants, a fountain, and or the sounds of nature
Self Care is essential for maintaining balance and well-being in our busy, demanding lives. It’s not just about pampering yourself—it’s about making intentional, nourishing choices that support your physical, mental, and emotional health. Whether it’s breathing deeply to ease stress, laughing with a friend to lighten the mood, or making healthier choices, taking care of yourself is key to thriving in both the short- and long-term. By incorporating small, mindful practices into your daily routine, you can cultivate inner peace and a healthier, more fulfilling life.
