Self-Care Saturday: Life Giving Rest

Earlier this week I found myself in a conversation with friends about how regular times of rest improves performance at work. I enjoyed hearing how other people in my life cultivate these times on a regular basis. Each friend noted a particular fruit in their career because they made resting a priority. “Rest” in this conversation went beyond mere sleep, although that is a much-needed practice our world. Instead, when I think of rest I think of all of the things in my life that help me feel more alive. What in my life helps me to find nourishment on a deep, soul level? I encourage you to make a list of those things and put them into practice. In the meantime, here are two options to cultivate rest and nourish you on a deeper level.  

Practicing Yoga

Yoga is a practice that slows the mind and body by combining physical poses and meditation. This week I listened to an interview with Bessel van der Kolk discussing how yoga reconnects people impacted by trauma back to their bodies. He stated, “Yoga is the way to befriend your own body. Learning how to breathe calmly and move calmly is very important for them.” Even if you never experienced trauma in your life a growing trend for women is learning to connect with their bodies in healthy, restorative ways. Yoga can give you rest because it nourishes your whole body. For those looking for a free introduction to yoga then check out Yoga with Adriene online. (You always need to check with your doctor before beginning a fitness program). 

Saying "No"

Each day holds opportunities to say “yes” or “no” to aspects of our lives. Would you like to teach a Sunday school class this quarter? Can you coach our soccer team this year? Can you lead the business meetings in March? The questions never seem to stop, don’t they? Often our decisions are based in guilt and obligation. Rarely do we ask, “Is this the best way to spend my time?” One reason we do not ask this question is because we never take the time to figure out what we really want in life. If you decide that you want to be more connected to your kid, then take on the soccer coach adventure. If moving up in your company is not a priority, then do not force yourself to lead the next set of meetings.  For the next month, as a self-care experiment, take some time to figure out what is most important for you in the next year. In fact, take the month off from saying “yes” to anything new so that you can reflect on what you want from this year. Write down your goals and use those to help you say “yes” and “no.” Saying no can give you rest because it helps you to learn your limits and invest in the most important things. 

I hope this helps you create space for live giving rest. If you are still feeling stuck with reaching your goals for this year or befriending your body, feel free to call me at (615) 979-4168 for a free 15-minute phone consultation. I’d be happy to hear about what is happening and help direct you to the right person. If you are looking for help with cultivating self-care practices, you can read more about how I can help here every Saturday on the blog.

Self-Care Saturday: Three Steps to Begin Caring for Yourself

Self-care matters. If you want to know why, then make sure you check out my post from last week.  Today, I want to share three more ideas to add to your “taking care of yourself” toolbox.  

1. Start a gratitude journal. 

Buy a new journal and write in it (or use the one you bought and never opened). Every night before bed write 3 things for which you are grateful. Adding gratitude into your sleep routine helps you to enter rest with positives in your mind. Yes, there may be days when you cannot muster three life-giving areas of your life. But even finding one part of your life that you are grateful for helps shift you towards more positive thinking.  Check out some of the science behind keeping a gratitude journal. 

2. Schedule time to worry.

You wake up in the middle of the night and your mind starts to race. You think, “Did I take the trash out? Is my office door locked? Will Olivia Pope choose Fitz after all?” Your mind races through work stressors, relationship issues, and financial struggles. So what should you do with all these midnight distractions? Strange as it may sound you can schedule a time to worry. Slow your thoughts by thinking, “I will worry about this at 11:00 am tomorrow.” Pick a time that works for you to worry. In fact, write it in your calendar and reschedule it. You can choose to make your midnight worries into tomorrow's middle of the day worries so you can go back to sleep. 

3. Get outside.

Get outside now! Spring is coming so go for a walk, go for a run, plan a picnic lunch, or read in a hammock. The sun is waiting for you. In fact, one way to enjoy the sun while you are outside is this exercise.  Start by paying attention to the sun on your skin. Pay attention to the way the warmth of the sun starts at your head and moves all the way down to your feet. Notice how the light feels on your nose, mouth, hands, and legs. How do you feel after you scanned your body? You can answer that question in your gratitude journal! 

If you are still feeling stuck, feel free to call me at 615-979-4168 for a free 15-minute phone consultation.

Self-Care Saturday: Worry About Yourself

Your life is busy. You wake up every morning with a to-do list that covers post-it notes, scraps of paper, and the app that promised to make you more organized. You make time to help meet the needs of your co-workers, family, and friends. Your life is busy.  You are tired. The idea of taking time for yourself feels selfish. It feels silly. You are fine or you will be fine tomorrow. But then tomorrow comes and you are still tired and feeling resentful of the to-do list. 

What would it feel like to put caring for yourself on the to-do list? Would it still feel selfish and silly? Or would it feel like a priority? The concept of self-care is not for you to be selfish, but for you to meet your needs. You have needs, I have needs, and that is okay. Ignoring your needs does not make you unselfish, instead it makes you tired. Meeting your needs makes you a stronger woman, mother, sister, co-worker, and friend. 

My favorite image of self-care is when you are about to take off on an airplane and the flight attendant begins to talk about oxygen masks. “Parents, place the oxygen mask on yourself first before placing it securely over your child’s nose and mouth.” Parents have to do something that feels unnatural in an emergency. They have to save themselves first. If not, then how can they take care of those they love the most?

So this Saturday series will offer a variety of ways for you to put on your self-care “mask” so that you can take care of those you love the most.  Here are three ideas to help you put self-care on your to-do list. 

Get Some Sleep

Chances are you need more sleep. Again, I understand that life and the to-do lists keep you from sleeping more.  Most adults need 7-8 hours of sleep every night. The hope is that you wake up in the morning feeling rested. Do you wake up feeling rested? Or do you wake up every day feeling just as tired as you did when you went to sleep? Self-care experiment number one: go to bed thirty minutes earlier for one week. The to-do list will be there tomorrow. 

Drink More Water

Our bodies are made of 60% water. We need water to keep our bodies in check. Yes, carbonated beverages and sweet tea are delicious, but our bodies need more than that to work best. Let’s be real, water makes your skin look good. Try drinking more water. It is the cheapest self-care strategy out there. 

Stop And Smell The Flowers

Did you know when you are feeling anxious or stressed that your sense of smell can help ground you? Different smells can help bring you back to the here and now.  Focusing on a smell can reorient your brain back to the present. To take it one step further and practice deep breathing while smelling flowers. You can do this by taking a deep breath through your nose and then blowing slowly through your mouth like you are blowing out a cake full of candles. One way to connect with smells is by bringing in flowers into your home or office. In Nashville, Green Door Gourmet offers a weekly flower CSA, which means you receive an incredible bouquet of flowers from a local farm for 16 weeks.  16 weeks of nature’s best brightening your office or home. (This is not a paid promotion, but Green Door Gourmet is an incredible local business).

And maybe this little one understands self care better than all of us. 

Thanks so much for stopping by. Come back next Saturday for more ideas on investing in you. Until then... “worry about yourself!” 

If you are still feeling stuck, feel free to call me at 615-979-4168 for a free 15-minute phone consultation. I’d be happy to hear about what is happening and help direct you to the right person. If you are looking for help with self care, you can read more about how I can help here.