Taking care of others if often the top priority in our over stressed, over scheduled, over worked lives. These tips are for self-care that you can use to give yourself a daily tune-up!
- Check in with yourself! Did you know that some of the most serious health conditions are often asymptomatic? Evaluate how you feel now compared to a time in your past. Better or worse? Getting older doesn’t have to mean things start to head downhill. The ageing process can be supported with lifestyle modification, physical activity, mental/emotional work and mindful food choices. After some reflection, see if your current state of health is where you would like it to be. If not, do something to change it! Take up a new hobby, phone an old friend, challenge yourself to change ONE thing in your diet, or try a new workout class. The idea here is to be in touch with how you feel mentally, emotionally and physically so that you can take action now to self-correct.
- Practice feeding yourself. No, not with food and a fork. Feed yourself with activity that is productive. With the electronic gadget overload in our lives, we can get side tracked into spending lots of time on Facebook, Twitter, games (Words with Friends, anyone?), or “surfing” the net. What is the result of all of these activities? Well, we have caught up with people we don’t talk to in person, we may have the latest news update, we know that “ZA” is a super word to use in WWF and there is no deficiency of useful info on Wikipedia. How did all of this activity nourish our mind and spirit? Chances are, it didn’t. What I suggest here are “time outs” from electronics. Click your email closed for the night and read a book. Set a timer when you open Facebook and move on to your next task. Delete the games on the phone and try creating a game night with friends or family. Shop online when you have something in mind that is a need vs a want. These swaps are designed to feed your productive self and cut the clutter.
- Clean and donate. Clean out your closet, bookshelf or cupboard. Consider getting rid of an item or items you no longer use. Donate these unused items to a charity. It feels good to live simply and in a de-cluttered environment.
Have fun! Do something for yourself today!
