REALISTIC SELF CARE PRACTICES

“Self care” is a concept that has exploded over the past few years. I love the shamelessness about doing what feels good for you and your body. The attention on individuality and mental health is extremely satisfying to me. When I think about self care, I think about how we’re on autopilot most of the time. We tend to robotically move through time only stopping to sleep. We are all just going going going until we crash.

Commercially self care is seen as a warm baths, face masks and yoga classes. While I agree that a bath bomb and some asanas can put you in a better mood, I have some more realistic forms of self care that (I believe) have more beneficial and immediate results. In college, I studied community health/ health science. I learned a lot about the needs of our bodies in direct correlation to how we react to life on a day to day basis. The need for emergency self care presents itself when we have gone too long without balance and listening to what our body is telling us.

Here are some of the self care practices that I live by:

  1. CLEAN UP : If your space is clean, you will feel clean. Clean your apartment or room from top to bottom and this will automatically make you feel productive and clear minded. (Clean all counter-spaces, do laundry, clean the bathroom. THE WORKS!!) - When I’m cleaning I zone out and completely forget about the outside world. This also gives me time to sort my thoughts without interruption.

  2. DO THAT THING YOU’VE BEEN AVOIDING : Nothing takes up space in your brain like suppressing that one task you need to do. Take that bag of clothes to the Goodwill like you said you would two weeks ago. Call your annoying relative back that you don’t want to talk to but feel guilty for curving. Call that bill collector and ask for that extension. Finish the assignment now instead of procrastinating and waiting until the last minute. Once you do this one thing, you will feel that weight off of your shoulders.

  3. ENERGY BALANCING : If you’ve been spending too much time alone, get out with a friend. If you’ve been spending too much time around people, take 5 or 6 hours of hibernation, no phones or outside interaction. I personally, am around my son and his dad a lot. When I notice my energy imbalance, I am usually in need of feminine energy. I will go have coffee with a girlfriend or have a good 2 hour phone conversation with one of my homegirls and that does the trick. Right now I am working on getting a lady cat for this very reason. If you work in a female dominated space maybe you need male energy or conversation.

  4. GIVE YOURSELF SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO : I thrive during my weeks when I know I have something planned to be excited about. Purposely plan things during the week outside of school or work to keep your energy flowing. Instead of waiting until Saturday to get your nails done or visit with a friend, do it Tuesday evening. This will break up that robotic schedule you have and keep things fresh. Plan a road trip a month out or a dinner with someone you enjoy so you can have something positive to look forward to. After all, life is about actually living.

  5. SAY NO - Stop agreeing to shit you DON’T WANT TO DO. How many times have you made plans with someone and cringed up until the moment its time to follow through ? Or, how many favors have you done that benefitted you in no way and totally inconvenienced you in the end ? Just say no. Saying no used to kill me, but it became easier each time I put myself first. Your off days, your money and your peace of mind belong to YOU.

  6. WASH YOUR HAIR - Even though wash day seems like a daunting task, there is something therapeutic about the self groom process. When you are done, you will feel fresh and all around more attractive. If your hair is anything like mine - you will feel like you finished a marathon.

  7. DECLUTTER - This is very different from cleaning up. Decluttering is literally throwing things away. Throw away the clothes you don’t wear anymore. Clean your car out and get a carwash. Get rid of all those hair products you don’t use. Sort and get rid of all the mail sitting around ( even though you should have paperless billing ). Freeing space is freeing your mind but I wont get all minimalist on you-yet.

  8. DRINK SOME WATER : This is my favorite self care move ! When I start to feel grief or stress creep over my shoulder the first thing I do is drink some water. Troy always tells me that “water is the elixir of life”. - and its true ! How can you feel good if you are thirsty or dehydrated ? One bottle of water instantly makes me feel better about myself.

  9. COOK YOURSELF A BOMB MEAL : Throughout the week, how many meals did you actually prepare for yourself and enjoy making? Take some time to cater to yourself and cook exactly what you crave. Soul food is an automatic pick me up. Your body deserves food prepared by your own hands.

  10. DO ONE THING AT A TIME : This was one of my New Years resolutions, but also a daily self care tip. A sure way to get yourself overwhelmed is trying to do too many things at once. Slow down and complete tasks one at a time. Life is way more fruitful when you give moments all of your attention. Be present.