Self-care is important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel. – Eleanor Brown

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Thought to Ponder – Put yourself at the top of your to-do list every day and the rest will fall in line.

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! This is a great time of the year to discuss ways to establish a self-care routine that can help improve your health and wellness. So, what is self-care? According to The Self-Care Solution written by Suzy Reading, self-care can be defined as “any life-giving activity that restores, sustains or improves your health.” Similarly, Dr. Marni Amsellem defines self-care as “anything that you do for yourself that feels nourishing.” So, it’s safe to say that self-care is nourishment for your entire soul, mind, body, and spirit. Would you agree?

WHY SELF-CARE IS IMPORTANT

Give yourself the same care and attention that you give to others and watch yourself bloom. – Unknown Author

As we go through life, all of us experience stress on some level one way or another. It’s so important that we have the necessary tools to help promote healing and cultivate clarity in our lives.

Suzy Reading provides 3 reasons why self-care is important:

• Stress is not going to go away. Stress is a normal part of life. In fact, life would be boring without some stress to keep us on our toes, right?
• Stress has a cumulative effect. Stress can add up very quickly so make sure to plan for regular pressure releases throughout your day. For example, go for a walk, do a stretch routine or meditate.
• Too much stress is dangerous. It’s a fact that too much stress makes us ill and greatly diminishes our ability to enjoy life.

HOW DOES SELF-CARE HELP?

Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure. – Oprah Winfrey

Suzy Reading provides ways that self-care helps us throughout life:

• Self-care helps you cope with life changing events, such as an illness, the loss of a loved one, depression, parents adjusting to life with a newborn, etc.
• Self-care helps us recover after experiencing life changing events, such as the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, divorce, etc.
• Self-care offers us a protective function, forming a buffer against future stress. If you are able to prepare yourself before a life changing event occurs, then do it. For example, schedule a vacation or some peaceful alone time before the birth of a child, the finalization of an adoption, getting married, starting college, or moving into a new home.
• Self-care helps us to flourish as individuals and to become the best version of themselves. For example, you may be striving to become a better parent, a better spouse, in search of a new career, or preparing for retirement.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed with life’s events, prioritize soothing activities and choices that restore balance to your life.

SELF-CARE AFFIRMATIONS

Be enough for yourself first, the rest of the world can wait. – Unknown Author

Self-care affirmations will help you to focus on improving yourself. You can spend 5 – 10 minutes in meditation, journaling, or yoga with mantras. Self-love, positivity, open-mindedness, help set you in the right direction. Designate a time in the morning and at night when you can recite affirmations aloud. By saying them aloud, you hear the powerful words, and it can help you internalize them as true. The key to seeing a positive change in life is to say the affirmations with conviction and make it personal.

Here’s a few of my favorite self-care affirmations to help you get started:

• I love and respect myself.
• I know my value and self-worth.
• I care about myself and listen to all of my needs.
• I am strong, resilient, and smart.
• I treat myself with love, kindness, and acceptance.
• I am powerful, healthy, and capable.
• I am free of self-doubt and insecurities because I am confident.
• I am centered, at peace, and in love with myself.
• I affirm empowering and kind messages to myself.
• I set healthy boundaries and stick to them.
• I always focus on the positive side of life.
• I embrace my past and learn from it every day.
• I am not my mistakes or my past.
• I release myself of any misery and suffering.

14 WAYS TO ESTABLISH A SELF-CARE ROUTINE

Self-care is how you take your power back. – Lalah Della

Self-care can also help people become the best version of themselves when they learn effective ways to navigate through life. Give yourself permission to take time out for you. From time to time, make an appointment with yourself. Don’t wait for the right moment, they rarely come. Plan your time and fill it with something that nurtures your mind, body, and spirit.

Here’s some ways to establish a self-care routine in your life:

• Start your day with prayer, meditation and exercise.
• Maintain a regular sleep routine and strive to sleep 6 to 8 hours each night.
• Express gratitude and write down at least 5 things you’re grateful for each day.
• Get moving for at least 30 minutes per day or try a new fitness class.
• Listen to music and have a mini dance party.
• Take 5 to 10 minutes to decompress every day and write in your journal.
• Take a few minutes each day to connect with your 5 senses (mindfulness).
• Detox from technology, work and negative things/people.
• Plan healthy eating by making a list, shopping and doing meal prep.
• Zone out and watch a movie/TV series/Discover a new podcast/Read a book.
• Connecting with a loved one or a friend in person or by phone call.
• Spend 20 minutes or so decluttering and organizing your work/living space.
• Take a midday walk outdoors in nature to boost your mood and regulate blood flow.
• Find a hobby or take a course to learn something brand-new.

JOURNAL PROMPTS

Self-care is giving the world the best of you, instead of what’s left of you. – Katie Reed

I love journaling because it is a safe place for me to put my feelings and emotions into words, then put my words into action. Remember, journaling is your very own personal journey throughout life, your ups and downs, your successes, and failures. Journaling also allows for past reflection, future insight, and present surrender. Ready, set, write!

• How important is self-care to you?
• What was the last self-care thing you did for yourself?
• Why is self-care important to you?
• What is one thing you need to let go?
• What is one way you like to recharge your energy levels?
• What is holding you back from improving your lifestyle?
• How can I honor my mind, body, and spirit on today?
• What would you like to include in your daily, weekly, and/or monthly self-care routine?

Let’s talk. As you can see, self-care is not a selfish act, but it is necessary to help keep us calm throughout life. What would you like to change in your daily routine? How could you include self-care in your life regularly? Please share your thoughts in the comments section. I look forward to reading your feedback!

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow, and forever!

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