Do you ever feel like you are running on empty when taking care of others? How often do you really practice self care? It seems as though there is always a project to complete, a child to transport to an event, another meal to cook, an additional friend who needs your support, and that burdensome to-do list that continues to grow. Regardless of the daily tasks, we often forget about ourselves in the process of assisting others. Though in order to continue the art of giving, we too, need to feel sustained.

Below are 5 simple ways to practice self care:

1. Write a gratitude list.

It is one thing to know what we are grateful for, but it is another thing to see what we are grateful for through visual lists. Writing a list of things we are grateful for is an act of self care that can shift our busy minds to a place of satisfaction and comfort.

2. Schedule “me” time in your calendar.

As strange as it may sound, planning “me” time is often the only way we can truly have some space and practice self care. Practice scheduling “me” time each week. Whether it is 15 minutes or an hour, you will be glad you scheduled time during the week to care for yourself.

3. Accept a little chaos.

Wouldn’t the days be a little less stressful if we allowed for some chaos, without feeling like we need to fix it? Allow yourself the freedom to let go of the dishes that need to be done right this second, or the bit of dust that should be polished away. Focus on the big things, the small things will always add to the stress, unless we can allow ourselves some leniency. This is one of the best ways to practice self care. 

4. Go for a walk.

A simple walk can cure so many ailments. Spend some time with a friend, your partner, or alone and go for a morning or evening stroll. You may be surprised at how much better you feel afterwards.

5. Get creative.

When was the last time you built a birdhouse, baked a cake, sewed a project, or planted some vegetables? Creative projects are a great way to focus on things that are merely for pleasure rather than to reach a timeline.

 

More on self care:

“To experience peace does not mean that your life is always blissful. It means that you are capable of tapping into a blissful state of mind amidst the normal chaos of a hectic life.” – Jill Bolte Taylor

 

“Self-compassion is simply giving the same kindness to ourselves that we would give to others.” – Christopher Germer

 

“Lighten up on yourself. No one is perfect. Gently accept your humanness.” – Deborah Day

 

 “Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.” – Etty Hillesum

 

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