Being kind to oneself is not a luxury, it’s a necessity.
Practicing self-care means you’re willing to acknowledge you have needs! Set a standard to care for yourself, because it also sets the standard to how others will treat you. Everyone deserves a few minutes daily of "me time" even if it consists of locking the bathroom door, with a bottle of wine and your favorite chocolate indulgence. For me, its’ sneaking away from the noise to hide in a burning warm bathtub, with a candle flickering its sensual smell all meant to calm my busy mind. "Me time" suggests that one can’t pour from an empty cup, unless she first refills hers, and this doesn’t’ refer to the wine!!!!
Many of us find enjoyment in staying busy, working hard and taking care of others. We often do this without hesitation, but to turn it inward at ourselves, we doubt the opportunity is deserving, so we limit its’ availability. This list is a self-care gift designed with you in mind. Over the Christmas season, find the gift of time, simply for you!
Some ideas of self care are as follows:
1. Watch your favorite Christmas show. Put down your distractions, put aside the to do list, and get lost in a classic movie!
2. Find an opportunity to take a long walk/ or run this holiday season. Enjoy the beautiful sights/ sounds that This time of the year can bring
3. Spray the perfume! Go for it! The amount of opportunity that we take to get ourselves dressed up and at our best is minimal; find it this season to make a day to feel your best, both inside and out!
4. Find an opportunity to have a dance party! We hosted a Christmas social last year, and it was one of my most memorable memories! I was surrounded with family, and laughter and we found a way to dance and be just like the kids, even if it lasted only a song or two! It was brilliantly refreshing!
5. Read a book. Recently I have discovered again the joy of reading. A book can inspire and motivate us to move ourselves forward! Find a way to get lost in a good read!
6. Find the opportunity to take a nap its A beautiful way to refresh the mind.
7. Stretch: find a place to relax into a good full body stretch. Enjoy the time alone, with your muscles and body. Focus on holding your stretches for 5-10 seconds trying to stretch all muscle groups
8. Plan a date with someone you adore! Do something fun, try something new. Enjoy the moments’ surrounded by friendships.
9. Do something creative: try your hand at a new craft, new creation, new adventure, Create and find your artistic side.
10. Create a long list of all the things your grateful for, and a list of things you Love and adore. Enjoy the time for thinking about you and what makes you uniquely special!
11. finally, My favorite self care ritual is taking an afternoon vacation to the hair salon! The smell of hair product, the sound of ladies laughing and conversing, the therapueutic scalp massage, and the small pleasure of having someone pamper you to look your very best! Make the moment's last by sitting back, relaxing, while enjoying a small cup of Java! take in the entire self care experience! You so deserve this gift!
