Self-Care
A study on self care in America published in Pub Med showed that only 6.7% of the 25yr+ population reports regular self care. Despite the numerous campaigns from major health care organizations promoting the need for our health and well-being.
Sadly many think of Self Care as a luxury rather than a basic need. Regular self care is a crucial part of allowing your body to function at it’s highest capacity.
Many were raised with the belief that the more you sacrifice, the bigger the reward. It’s easy to take the hard work pays off adage too far…
Self care isn’t slacking, in fact it helps you make progress faster for a few reasons.
Self Care prevents burnout. Burnout is when we’ve pushed ourselves to the point that we can’t take anymore, so we just give up. Taking care of ourselves helps us avoid gettin to that point.
Self-care reduces the negative effects of stress. A small amount of stress can serve a purpose, but after a while, it just breaks down your mind and body. Taking care of yourself means keeping your stress from taking over so you can function at all capacity.
Self-care helps you refocus: Taking a break to “shake it of” is the epitome of self-care, and studies show that helps you preform better.
The key to self-care is triggering the relaxation response. You can do meditation, yoga, aromatherapy, exercise or just get out in nature to feel relaxed. Triggering the relaxation response has many health benefits.
Lower cortisol leads to balanced blood pressure, better sleep, ease of weight balance and so much more.
Self-Care Ideas
- Get a Massage :). Massage relaxes the body and the mind,enhancing blood flow and increasing endorphins promoting a happy relaxed state of mind and body
- Eat Good Whole Foods: You are truly made up of what you eat and the nutrition or lack there of.
- Supplement with High quality vitamins, minerals and omega fatty acids. These are truly the building blocks of our cells. With out proper nutrition and digestion we cannot make the brain chemicals to bring peace in our mind and body
- Drink Plenty of water: Women need 3 liters and men need 4, this is important to clear the gunk from our cells and provide proper hydration
- Movement: 30 mins a day is a fabulous goal! Get up & get out. This shakes up the monotony of a day and can chemically reset the brain.
- Journal: Get your thoughts out of that chattering mind and onto paper, using what ever method speaks to you, bullet journalling, spatter paint, scribbling, simply giving yourself the time to GET- IT- OUT
My Favorite Essential Oils for Self-Care
- Lavender or Ylang Ylang to release tension in a bath or footbath
- Add a drop of Eucalyptus or Breathe to your shower wall for an at home spa like experience everyday
- Give yourself a foot or lower let massage after a long day with Aromatouch or Deep Blue stick
- Simply drop a drop of your favorite oil in the palm of your hand, rub them together and offer yourself 3 slow deep breaths. My favorite oils for this mis day break are balance, adaptiv or frankincense