2 MINUTE READ
“If we want to live a wholehearted life we have to become intentional about cultivating rest and play and we must work to let go of exhaustion as a status symbol and productivity as self-worth”
-Brene Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection
I am often asked what I do for self care, and it’s a subject we discuss often at Amara. Our mission is to not only keep our customers feeling their best but also to take excellent care of ourselves so that we can better assist others on their journey towards more healthful living. I hope this list serves as a catalyst in spring boarding you towards more regular self care routines. I will say first, that at the heart of any self care plan there should be planning. Don’t wait until you are already feeling exhausted or burned out to take care of yourself, make it a regular routine and something you schedule into every day.
5. Go complaint free for ONE DAY
Notice how much of a difference it makes in your mental health and well being when you make the choice to take care of yourself by not engaging in chronic complaints. Instead, make a list of all that you are grateful for and see how quickly your emotions shift. My husband and I have a small chalkboard by our back door, along with being a good spot to leave messages it has also turned into our gratitude board where we leave daily reminders of all that we are thankful for. I know, it sound’s cheesy, but it works!
4. Give yourself permission
Give yourself permission! Maybe you need to say NO (to over scheduling and over committing or whatever isn’t working in your life), or maybe you need to say YES to doing what you want to do even if that means going home and taking a bath or playing with your dog. Often, we live our lives to make other’s happy without much regard for our own self care and what is best for our needs.
3. Have an ADVENTURE DAY!
These are always fun when they happen spontaneously/last minute, but if you need to schedule your “adventure day” in advance you should. Book yourself an adventure, maybe it’s rafting, a kayak lesson, a hike on a new trail or indoor sky diving! The only rule of adventure day is to have fun, and hopefully try something new.
2. Plan a Coloring Night
Ok, so it may sound childish, but coloring is truly meditative and relaxing. My husband and I would like to take credit for the fact that adult coloring books have become all the rage. We started doing coloring nights at our house a few years back and now it’s become quite the trend, coincidence? You can now find all sorts of coloring books and artistic tools to take coloring to a whole new level! Create an art tote at your house, with coloring books, marker, crayons, pastels, etc…whatever medium you prefer working with. Next time you’re noticing you’ve had a rough day and need to unplug from the world, sit down and color, you will be amazed at how engaging in this simple activity helps reset and calm your nervous system. Yay coloring!
1. Book yourself a massage or other wellness treatment.
Gone are the days of thinking that massage is something you only do once a year on your birthday. Massage is a powerful tool in transforming both your mental and physical body. Make yourself a priority, and remember how valuable you truly are. After all, what would you do without you? 😉 Make massage part of your monthly wellness routine and feel the difference.
I hope this list helps you on your path towards more regular self care. If you’re looking for a Fort Collins Massage, we would love to see you! We specialize in totally customized sessions, including Relaxation Massage, Deep Tissue Massage and Hot Stone Massage and other enhancements, all a perfect choice for a self care day!