Self-Care Saturday: A Self-Care Holiday Wish List

'Tis the season to be really busy. Holiday parties, Christmas shopping, and traveling often fill up the month of December. Personally, the month of December is one of the most stressful seasons every year. But the stress does not have to get the best of you, especially if you take some time to take care of you. Here are ten self-care presents you can give to yourself this year:

Check out the 2020 Self-Care Holiday Gift Guide with over 75 gift ideas for your long-term Self-care practice.

1. Massage - Need I say more?

2. Fitbit - I added this to my self-care practice this year. It is an external motivator to stay active.

3. Adult Coloring Book - Yes, this is a thing now. And yes, they are amazing. Coloring is a great mindfulness practice.

4. Yoga Mat - Yoga can be a restorative process to help you reconnect to your body.

5. Meal Planning/Delivery - If finding time to cook nutritious foods is one of your self-care red flags then you may want to check out Blue Apron or Plan to Eat. (Ps. None of these are advertisements. They are just ideas).

6. Writing Journal - Maybe you want to track your highs and lows for the year. Maybe use it as a gratitude journal. Maybe you need a safe place to process your thoughts.

7. Art Journal - Maybe writing is not your thing and you prefer to sketch instead. If so, then you might check out Brené Brown's go at your own pace art journaling course.

8. Bath Salts - A good soak in the tub is a great ritual to end your day.

9. Candles - Maybe this is the year to burn that luxury candle?

10. Flowers - I am a huge fan of practicing deep breathing in the presence of fresh flowers. Can you believe people will just deliver them to your house?

Did anything on the list peak your interest? Consider adding it to your wish list. Even better, think of someone in your life who might need some self-care and get that gift for them. 

One final idea. Maybe this year's holiday season is not about what you can buy. Maybe just being fully present in the company of loved ones is the best you can give and receive this season. 

If you are looking to give yourself the gift of going to counseling in Nashville, then send me an email at Jessica@JessicaMcCoyCounseling.com. Looking forward to hearing what made it onto your Christmas wish list. 

Self-Care Red Flags

Self-care is a process. Finding what works and helps you truly care for yourself is often an experiment. For some people, running is a form of self-care, while others may consider that activity as a nightmare (insert my raised hand here). Others may find a warm cup of coffee on a cold morning to be the best way to show care (I will never raise my hand here... yes, I am not a coffee drinker).

The same concept applies for noticing when your life is out of balance. Maybe it is time to pay attention to when you begin to come unraveled. Maybe it is time to uncover your red flags.

Here is how you can know you are in need of some self-care.

Answer this question:

I know my life is out of balance when ____________________.

I did an informal survey of friends and family and here are their responses:

• The small stuff makes me angry.
• My clean clothes don’t make it into the closet.
• I watch too much Netflix.
• I am unable to disengage from work when I am home.
• Missing appointments because I am overscheduled.
• Eating when I am not hungry. 
• Not making health a priority – my eating habits and exercise routines fall away.
• Checking Facebook and Instagram compulsively.
• Forgetting to eat. 
• I get sick more because I am so stressed.

Do you identify with any of those? If not, then what about you? What are your red flags? What are those things that happen in your when you know that you need to stop, slow down, and have that cup of coffee?

Make the list and keep it handy. Start paying attention, but be patient.  Because self-care is a process.

If you are in Nashville and are ready to check in with a professional to create a plan for a more balanced life with fewer red flags, contact Jessica at Jessica@JessicaMcCoyCounseling.com to schedule a 15-minute phone consultation. If you are looking for more self-care ideas, then be sure to check out previous recommendations or check back next week for other ways to invest in a better you.

Self-Care: What makes you come alive?

Self-care homework for today, you ready? Write (draw, doodle, email yourself) the last 5 times you felt alive. Take a few minutes to reflect on your life and focus in on the times when you felt more like "you." Being alive is that moment when you feel deep inside, "Yes, this is what I was created to do!" Once you write them down zoom out and see if there are any themes or connection points. 

For example, some possible connection points or themes might be... 

• A certain person that helps you remember who you are
• Being in nature
• Doing a certain task in your job
• Trying something new
• Traveling 

There are all kinds of themes that might emerge. And if you do not find any, no worries. It is still a good practice to notice what makes you feel connected and alive. Because it's a good practice to try to return to those regularly through the week. 

If you are struggling to remember a time when you felt fully alive and more connected to your true self, then that's okay. If you are in Nashville and want to talk about this, then schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation.