“Self-care” has been my mantra over the last few weeks. You may ask, what does that mean? Are you spending your days eating bon bons and getting pedicures and facials?
To me self-care means hitting pause and taking action to improve my mental, physical, spiritual and emotional wellbeing. That involves reading inspiring books, running, spending time in nature, going to bed early, getting up early and eating healthy food. It means taking deep breaths, smiling and focusing on the good in your life. Gratitude.
It’s so easy to fall into the daily hustle and bustle script – work, eat, sleep. Repeat. Sadly it’s a recipe for losing ourselves and our passion for life, experience and joy. I’ve been there. I don’t want to be there again.
You only have one life so invest in yourself
Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. I haven’t slept this well in about two years. And believe me I can feel the difference. Friends, do not skimp on your sleep. You’ve heard it before consistently getting a good night’s sleep does our bodies good in so many ways. I’ve been going to bed around 9:30 p.m. every night and I get up between 5:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. At first it was challenging not to throw my iPhone across the room. (It’s my alarm.) But now I’m waking up way before the alarm sounds. Getting to bed early, and staying off the laptop has made it very, very easy.
I like to read in bed too. It’s puts me in a good space and I often fall asleep thinking about the last chapter or the last words I have read. Lately I have been reading about some really inspiring people so I often go to sleep thinking about the lessons I have learned. Right now I am finishing Mud, Sweat and Tears by Bear Grylls. (I love living so close to the library!)
Change your thoughts and change your world
I’m one of those people who is constantly craving something new whether it’s learning a new concept or hearing another perspective on an issue. One of my favourite phrases is, “If you don’t like where you are, move. You’re not a tree.” Sometimes I have to remind myself that if I don’t like a situation or if something is just not right, I have the ability to change it. When I am down in the dumps, I turn up the music and dance around in apartment. It does wonders to your mood. Someone told me once, if I was having a hard time on a run, I should smile when things get tough. Try it. You will be amazed at how the small gesture works.
No dress rehearsal. This is our life.
As I get older, I am reflecting more and more on my life. I’m thinking about what I’ve accomplished, the disappointments and successes. I am looking to the future – what do I want to do? What do I still have to do? What makes me happy? What am I passionate about? Lately I haven’t had those conversations with myself. I’m starting to journal and write again to answer those questions. It’s never to late to make a change or to be honest with yourself. But the sooner you start, the sooner you are at peace.
Last Friday I drove out to Kananaskis – not necessarily to hike or run – but to think and take a deep breath. I ended up on Prairie Mountain, which was probably a good thing because I only bumped into a handful of people. Most of the time, I was alone with my thoughts.
I have no doubt everyone interprets self-care differently. It could be eating bons bons and having your nails done. I think ultimately it’s avoiding those unhealthy coping mechanisms. That means not self-medicating your sleepless nights with five cups of coffee and a hit of Red Bull. It also means forgiving yourself and understanding it’s OK not to be perfect. Know that self-care is part of a journey that can begin in one way or another at anytime. Where are you on your journey?