Self-Care Isn't Selfish

While it may seem counter-intuitive, taking good care of our self is a far cry from being self-centered. Self-care is essential. It is important to pay attention to our body, mind and spirit. When we do, we feel more balanced, enjoy life, and we handle the hiccups that life throws at us much more gracefully. (Not to mention the fact that we're a lot more fun to be around!)

Taking care of our self involves embracing a holistic approach. Here are some tips that you may find helpful:

1. Pay attention to your body! What we eat and how much we exercise matters. So does the amount of sleep we get. Our body is designed to heal itself, but it needs us to do our part too. For a few days, try keeping track of your steps and other physical activity. Or maybe you want to start with the types of food you're eating instead. What you learn about yourself will tell you a lot about what you're doing well. Not surprisingly, it will also point out areas that you may want to pay more attention to.

2. Emotional and mental wellness is an absolute MUST! Most of us live at a pretty frenetic pace where multi-tasking is not only the norm, it is the expectation. Our calendars overflow with "competing priorities", and a lot of us are burning the candle at both ends. We can definitely benefit from exploring what's missing. So, how do you relax? Do you play a musical instrument or write poetry? Do you like to read or knit or play board games? Even a few minutes of relaxing activities go a long way in calming an overactive mind and help us reset our nervous system.

3. How do you care for your spirit? We are spiritual beings living a human experience, and sometimes life gets sort of bumpy. To nurture your spirit, perhaps you find it helpful to be outside enjoying the beauty of nature. Maybe you have a meditation practice or find solace in visiting a place of worship such as a temple, church or mosque. There are many ways for us to connect with inner peace and tranquility. If you don't already have a solitude practice, you may want to consider journaling, meditating, or creating a "Gratitude Moment" during the day. Nurturing our spirit doesn't require anything fancy. All we need to do is give ourselves permission to experience a bit of quietness from time to time.