Yep, that’s me. Saturday night. Pile of mask. Hot tea in hand. About to watch a documentary. Sometimes you just need to unplug from it all. Growing up I never heard the words "self-care". The thought of saying that to my mother makes my skin crawl! She was always rushing from one thing to next and a lot of times seemed frazzled. I think if self-care was talked about then she would have taken more time for herself. I am so happy that this is something that is talked about so often now!
Self-Care Misconceptions
Here's the deal, there's lots of misconceptions about what self-care actually is. It's not heading out to Target or your favorite boutique and blowing your paycheck because... "Treat Yo'Self!" and it also isn't neglecting responsibility to quote, unquote "kick it". Self-care is a lot of things but you need to set yourself some ground rules. The point is, this is time you take for YOU to rest and recoup so that you can take care of those you love. No one knows you better than yourself. So think carefully about what calls to you as self-care.
Self-Care and Yoga
To me, yoga is the definition of self-care. From a first glance, it's taking care of yourself physically (through asana) and mentally (moving meditation). Take that a step deeper to your breath, the life force within you. A simple breathing exercise can be enough to change your whole mood. Go even deeper, deeper into the Yamas and Niyamas. And there is still more self-care in the ways that we choose to care for ourselves and those around us. I invite you to do some digging to find out more if you don't know much about the Yamas and Niyamas. And I plan to dive deeper into these here as well. Below I have some ideas for self-care centered around yoga. I hope you enjoy then and try them out yourself.
Yoga Self-Care Ideas
Take a yoga class
Try guided meditation
Check out a Yoga Nidra practice
Add daily affirmations to your morning
Read a book
Research a topic that has always interested you but you've put off
Organize a room in your home. Maybe start small with your desk or that junk drawer
Begin a daily gratitude journal - Write down 3 things you're grateful for each day
Declutter your closet and donate to a cause you personally care about
Begin a Pranayama Practice - Prana = Life Force, Yama = To Control, by focusing on your breath you can become more in control of your body and your experience during moments of stress\anxiety, excitement, even to help you fall alseep
Drink a cup of tea and reflect on your day or put on that face mask and watch that documentary you've been dying to see!
What's your favorite form of self-care? See one on this list you want to try or have tried recently? Share it with me!