It’s such basic advice that it has actually become totally cliché: You have to take care of yourself before you can ever take care of others. So, if it’s actually such great advice – why aren’t we better at it.
Showing up for ourselves everyday can seem incredibly hard, and while we might cross a raging river or fly clear across the country to take care of a loved one, we often falter doing even the most basic self-care behaviors. The truth is, real self-care isn’t filled with spa weekends, chocolate ice cream, or retail therapy – though, those things can certainly help. Real self-care involves honoring, respecting, and protecting your physical and mental wellbeing every single day through rather mundane and basic activities.
For me, self-care looks like this:
I wake up every morning and remind myself that I’m a winner. I am a force in this world and I am capable of incredible things – and just this self-affirmation helps get me through the day, no matter how many times things go unexpectedly. After my morning self-hype, I drink a glass of cool water to cleanse my system and rejuvenate my mind. I’ll then put on a luscious hydrating mask in a scent that pleases my senses, such as my current favorite cucumber-mint. I eat fruits and vegetables that make my mouth smile and my body thrive. I exercise daily, ranging from hardcore aerobic muscle sessions to soothing, calming, rhythmic movement. No matter the intensity, movement is key for my self-care. (Especially if chocolate cake is involved.) At the end of the day, I thank my body for the work it has done, wash my face, take in a few moments of quiet, and then get the rest I will need for the next day.
I believe that when we take care of our body, our body will take care of us. Practicing self-care might not come naturally to most of us, but with practice, we can become happy, healthy, and strong.
