Any time I look at my Facebook or Instagram newsfeeds, self care seems to be a really hot topic. And with good reason! Business owners and employees alike are often encouraged to work longer and harder in hopes of gaining that promotion or new client. Without some type of self care, we’re all going to burn out…or worse. Here are a few of my favorite self care tips. Full disclosure, though: I’m just as bad at taking care of myself as the next person. Maybe I should label these as some of my favorite tips that I should practice more often. ?
- Bath Time. This is my favorite and most often used. I got a tray that fits over the tub, so I can take my iPad and a glass of water (or wine) with me. With the iPad, I can open up one of my music apps and listen to some of my favorite tunes, or I can open the DirecTV app or Netflix and unwind with some of my favorite shows.
- Eat. Sometimes, when we’re stressed, eating seems like the last thing we want to do. Sometimes, it’s the exact opposite, and we want to stuff all the food on the planet in our faces. Naturally, a little balance is needed here. I TRY (please note, I said try) to follow the 80/20 rule. Most of the time, I focus on eating healthy foods, drinking my water, taking my vitamins, etc. But then I allow myself a glass of wine or two, or a vodka soda, or a spiked seltzer every day. And on those days that I don’t feel like eating, I try to find something – anything – that sounds good. Most days, that’s either cheesy rice or pretzels with peanut butter. But hey, that’s better than nothing.
- Do Not Disturb. This may be the one feature on my phone that keeps me functioning. I have it set to start each night at 9pm and to turn off at 7am each morning. No calls from anyone not on my favorites list can get through, and no notifications from any app will make my phone make a peep. Without this, I’m sure I’d be popping out of bed at all hours of the night to answer whatever comment/review/etc came in.
- Listen to Your Mood. There are times that I want to be around other people – friends, industry cohorts, fellow foodies. Other times, the thought of being around even one other person sets my anxiety into high gear. A lot of days, I don’t know how it’s going to go until I’m in the moment to make a decision on whether or not to be with others. But I’ve learned to listen to my gut. If the thought of being around other people makes me feel anxious, I don’t do it, even if it means canceling plans. Forcing the issue only serves to make matters worse in the moment and wear me out for the next day or so.
- Essential Oils. I have three diffusers in my house, and I have countless essential oils to mix. Pinterest gives me good ideas on what to use to destress, and between the diffusers, my baths, and sprays for my pillow, these help me immeasurably.
- Pet Snuggles. I have two LARGE dogs and a cat. Depending on the time of day, where I am in the house, and what’s going on, loving from my fur babies can make everything right.
- Keep on Learning. As counterproductive as it sounds, sitting in on a Facebook Live or a webinar can take the edge off for me, if I have the time to fit it in. Knowing that I’m working to better my skills and do a better job for my clients makes a real difference in my mindset.