Nothing is more important than taking care of yourself. Self-care is so important, both physically and emotionally. Here are some tips to help you find your bliss!
Find your flow:
Take time to do something you love. It doesn’t matter what it is, as long as it works for you, ie. makes you happy or fulfilled. It could be as simple as spending time with friends, volunteering for a charity, gardening, setting some time aside in your busy to read or to meditate – whatever floats your boat!
Unplug:
Make some time to share with the people you care about – family & friends. These days we are held captive by our devices. Make sure you set aside breaks and time out and connects with your favourite people!
Toxic friendships:
We all know at least one friend who is an “energy-drainer”. You are lucky if you don’t! I had a friend who absolutely sucked the energy out of me. Most times we caught up I would end up with a headache and feeling mentally and emotionally drained.
Do yourself a favour and remove those people from your life, or if you can’t, limit the time you spend with them. True friends add to your life, not take the life out of you. Share time with people who make you feel happy and support and comfort you.
Get a massage:
I try to have a massage at least once a month. If not a full body massage try a head massage or a foot massage. I love a head massage – it makes my entire body melt into a state of total relaxation!
Spend some time in nature:
Get out and breathe in that sea air or go to a park and be surrounded by nature. Ponder the absolute beauty of a forest, and revel in the peach and quiet.
Get a good sleep:
This is a hard one. It’s easy for someone to tell you that you need to get 7-8 hours a night, but it’s another thing being to attain that. I’m a terrible sleeper – always have been. I’m lucky to get 6 hours solid sleep. I do all the right things to get me there, but my brain has other ideas! But I have a little trick that works some nights. I have a mantra that I repeat over and over again, to as to not let any other thoughts take hold. Find yourself a mantra that works for you too!
Exercise:
Exercise is so good – for your body, for you mind, for you mood! I just love it when the Endorphins kick in and I am ready to take on the day. Do whatever takes your fancy – just get out there and move!
Give back:
Giving back is great, for you own sense of self-worth and for the people you are serving. I volunteer for an organization who delivers meals for elderly people or those not able to prepare meals for themselves. I have met some wonderful people and I love to be able to serve those people who once had full and interesting lives.
Find an organization you want to be involved in, whatever that may be, and enjoy the rich rewards.
Meditate:
Meditation is amazing! I love guided meditations. It’s so important to find someone with a voice that conveys that sense of calmness and peace. For me that is Deepak Chopra.
Find a good book:
I love to relax with a cuppa and spend some time absorbed in a good story, whether it be factual or fiction. It relaxes my mind and it’s sort of like meditation for me. I get totally absorbed in the characters and story, and all that time I’m not thinking about what I have to do, what I’m going to cook for dinner and all those “real life” activities!
Plan a holiday:
Start planning your next holiday. Make it a goal to work towards. Start saving up if you don’t have the funds right now. Do some visualizing! See yourself and your family where you want to go. By planning and visualizing you will make you goal come to life!
Tap into gratitude:
When I find myself grumbling and complaining I stop myself and think of things that I am grateful for, like a warm bed to sleep in, hot water for my shower, the view of the verdant green golf course from my apartment window. Gratitude is one of the most important things in leading you to having the life you want. Ditch the negative feelings and self-talk. It is not serving you.
Journaling:
A good way to get your thoughts out of your head and onto paper is journaling. Whether it be your goals, your dreams, your worries. Getting it all out onto paper is quite liberating!
Simplify/Declutter:
Why declutter you ask? Decluttering your home not only gets rid of all the unwanted junk around your house and in your garage, it does wonders for your mental health! I have a friend who has an extremely cluttered home and every time I visit, her collection of knick-knacks gives me anxiety! It’s out of control! Although I have never hoarded anything, I still loved my decluttering sessions which I do twice a year. It sort of makes space in your home and in your mind!
Seek help when you need it:
Of course if you feel nothing you try is working for you, make sure you seek some professional help. There are some amazing professionals out there who want to help you.
