Redefining Self-Care to Fit Your Needs
Redefining Self-Care to Fit Your Needs
Customize your self-care to help not hinder.
Today, I’m sharing a self-care tip for us stressed-out folks that only takes a minute of your time.
I shared this recently in my first chat conversation. You can join it when you click the button!
When I was a special needs caregiver, I found it extremely hard to take care of myself.
But eventually, I discovered that even taking just one minute to treat myself made a huge difference in my mental health.
Since I wasn't able to get out of the house for me-time or your typical pampering activities like manicures and pedicures, I had to come up with something manageable at home.
One of my favorite quotes about that is from the Austrian Holocaust survivor, psychologist, and neurologist Viktor Frankl.
He said, "When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves."
Since I couldn’t change my situation, I had to figure out a way to work with where I was in that season of my life.
Showers were not as often as I had hoped, but when they were, I utilized that time to pamper myself.
I used my face scrubber as a massager for my temples and in between my brows, typically where I hold the most stress in my face.
That's just one way I found to pamper myself.
I'm no longer a special needs caregiver but I still have the habit of self-care. Which is a good thing to always have!
Recently, I was at CVS pharmacy and saw these scrubber gloves for the shower.
And I thought, "Hmmm, this would be a nice addition to my self-care routine that only takes a moment." Especially now that I'm almost 50 and have crepey arms!
After scrubbing and patting dry, I slather on lavender-scented moisturizer. It gives a pleasant calming scent that lingers for a few hours.
And I feel more relaxed, invigorated, and pampered.
Redefining self-care is a huge step in our mental health.
It definitely does not have to be what we, especially as women, think it has to be with the frilly, mani-pedi, retail therapy type self-care. (Although that sure helps too!)
Striving for progress over perfection is all that matters.
I don't hold myself to a hard and fast “I have to do this everyday” rule. I do keep track on a habit tracking journal, and I'm happy if I get at least 3 to 5 times a week marked off.
I don't even add it up in the little blocks that say “goal achieved.”
That just stresses me out and makes me feel like I failed, which is the opposite of stress management!
What about you?
What is one self-care activity that you currently do to help you manage your mental health?
And if you aren't already doing that, what is one thing you can try to do for at least one minute, one time today?
Tell me in the comments!
Until next time!
Your friend
Striving for progress over perfection is the only way I can ever get anything done.
I’ve learned that I have to take care of myself if I’m going to take of everyone else. (I’m a SAHM)
But the one thing I do everyday is get on my knees and pray. The kids know not to interrupt but they often kneel beside me. Then when the house is empty, just me and the dogs, I read a devotional or something just for me. 15 minutes I allot myself.
Then the day gets going. That’s my self care
I love this post. Such a gentle reminder about doing what works for you and not holding yourself ransom to strict routines.
I journal daily as part of my self-care. I have a very busy mind and so it helps just to get the thoughts out. I did the morning pages from The Artist's Way this year and I've noticed a shift in how I approach the journal. If I journal in the evening, it feels like a bit of a brain dump or a summary of regret, but if I journal in the morning it feels like I'm exploring possibilities and finding reasoning and solutions.