What Is

Self Care?

Self-care is taking care of your emotional physical, spiritual and psychological needs. It’s important to acknowledge when it is time to take time out of your day, to take care of you! Recognize when you’re feeling stressed, overworked, tired and agitated.  Emotional stress and physical stress can causes serious health problems. There are a few activities one can do for self-care:

1.       Meditation -

Before beginning any mediation practice, it’s important  that you first consult with your doctor. If you have any disturbing experiences as a result of mediation, it’s important to discuss these experiences with your doctor, psychotherapist or mental health counselor. 

Meditation can sometimes produce old suppressed memories. Sometimes the act of stillness and/or meditation can possibly produce negative effects.

Mediation is a simple activity that can be done in a quiet space. Meditation helps you filter out concerns random thoughts, images and odd worries that occurs throughout the day. Mediation techniques can help the mind and body come to a relaxed state, 5-20 minutes of meditation can be as refreshing a quick nap.  

Basic mediation exercising:

Sit comfortably, keep your back aligned, straight and relaxed. Breathe in deeply, breathe out steadily and become aware of your abdomen failing and rising. Pay full attention to your breathing.  If your mind begins to wander, gently bring your thoughts back to your breathing. Keep your eyes closed and if need be, consider a name, phrase or sound that keeps you at peace.  Continue to do so, for approximately five to twenty minutes. When you are ready to stop, slowly bring yourself back to consciousness. Become aware of your surroundings, move your body slowly and gently.

If you enjoyed that process, you may want to consider joining a mediation class, in your local area.

2.       Plant based Foods (nutrition) What are you eating?

Disclaimer, talk to your doctor before altering your current diet.

What you consume has an impact on how you feel. Consuming vegetables on a daily basis can be helpful for your diet. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics- Heart Disease is the #1 killer for woman in America.  

So what the heck are you eating? Seriously, what are you eating???

So let me tell you a little secret, I had come across the plant based diet approximately two years ago and I do admit, I feel much better throughout the day, if I consume more vegetables than meat. I’m not a vegetarian, but I do feel a huge difference in my appearance, energy level and emotional well-being when I consume more vegetables than meat byproducts and processed foods.  From my personal experience, it does in fact appear to be true, that what we consume on a daily basis, has an impact on our daily functions.

In 2013, I began juicing!  One of my favorite concoctions is a mixture of kale, spinach, ginger, cranberry juice and apples. It’s amazing!!! I loved it! But, my issue was the fact that I didn’t know what to do with the pulp that was left behind.  I would typically turn into compost, or add it to meals as base for seasoning.  But after a while, the process just became too much.

I then later discovered Vitamix, which pulverized everything! There was no need to juice my vegetables or fruits anymore.  I would just toss some veggies, fruit into the Vitamix and some cranberry juice or water and wa-la! The best nutritional snack on the go! Vitamix is a life saver and my Vitamixis still going strong. My kids love it and so does my husband. A quick nutritional meal in a cup or water bottle!

I also joined a facebook group “plant based foods”,  extremely informative on ideas on how to go about starting and continuing a plant based diet.

3.       Time in nature -hiking trails

Many moons ago, I recall walking throughout Central Park with my then boyfriend, making our way to the great lawn to sit on the grass, chit chat, enjoy nature and people. My then boyfriend became my husband and we continue our strolls in the park with our family to enjoy the tranquility nature brings.  Selfcare also includes time in nature, it doesn’t have to be complicated. Hiking trails through a park or even earthing can be beneficial to your health.

Find peace in the little things you do daily.

Resources nature parks website in New York https://www.nps.gov/state/ny/index.htm

4.       Physical Activity

Physical Activity is self care.  We are all human and naturally our body were made to move! Sitting at our desk at work all day is not conducive to our health.  Several studies have been conducted explaining the terrifying harmful effects of sitting for prolonged hours. According to the CDC, it is recommended that one should participate in physical activity for at least 30 minutes per day!  It’s important to find time throughout to the day to exercise and take care of your health. We know that work gets hectic, life happens and your gym routine turns into non-existent.  Trust me, I know!

One way to squeeze in the time to do so, is to simply take a walk; or squeeze in some physical fitness at home. There are a few family fun video games, such as the Nintendo switch Ring Fit Adventure or Just Dance 2020.   It’s the perfect family fun game which includes physical activity!

5.       Mental health (Your Thoughts)

Our mental health should be aligned with our overall health. But, It’s not always necessarily the case. What we think plays an important role on how we feel and how we respond to the people and things around us.  Our mental health affect how we care for ourselves, how we feel about ourselves and the people around us.  Don’t get me wrong, on average, most people have bad days.  But, when someone has feelings of sadness, anxiety and hopelessness on a constant basis, medical attention should be considered.  It’s absolutely necessary to seek help if you feel like hurting yourself, hurting someone else, or having suicidal ideologies-dial 911.  

When we are feeling stressed it’s usually a cry out for help. Letting the people around you know that you need help, is absolutely beneficial. It’s okay to limit what you can or cannot do.  Make time for yourself to reflect on your day and how to overcome your stressors.

Meeting with a psychiatrist, therapist and/or mental health care provider for help can be extremely beneficial.  Please note, if you feel like hurting yourself or someone else, immediately dial 911.  Self-care doesn’t have to be complicated.  Self-care is taking care of your mental health! Talking to your doctor about physical health and emotional health.

6.       Vacation

Vacation, vacation, vacation!!!!! Self-care also means taking a break! Its okay to stop and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the day.  Weekend trips are good and extended vacations are great! Take a moment to figure out where you’d like to relax. There are so many different options for a quick get away or an extended vacation.

Typically, I would take a seven or eight day cruise with either Royal Caribbean or Carnival cruise lines. Since both cruise lines are extremely kid friendly.  But now, with the coronavirus going around, I find it very difficult to book any cruise trips at this time.  

Cruises are extremely convenient, the entire family can enjoy some relaxation, since most cruise lines typically cater to different age ranges and groups.  You can easily drop off the kids at the play center with adult supervising the children with fun activities. Meanwhile, you can simply sip a martini and enjoy a good book under the sun.  A vacation always has its way of rebooting the mind, body and spirit.  Vacationing is selfcare!

7.       Finances

Who said your finances was not part of self-care? Heck yes, your finances matter!!! Taking care of your financial worries, does play an important role in your self-care. Because if you don’t have any money, it becomes difficult to go out and have fun!  Nobody wants to go out with the friend who never has money. Get your finances in order today!

My earliest memory of saving money, was walking with my Dad, to the bank every Saturday morning. He would deposit one portion of paystub into his checking account and another portion into his savings account.  As for my mother, every now and then, I would hear her talking over the phone about a “sou-sou”, an informal money pool.  A group of people (usually women), would get together and contribute an equal amount of money, weekly to the same pool for a specific amount of time.  Once a week, one group member would receive a payout, until the pool comes into full circle. 

So, I understood the importance of saving money, creative ways of accumulating money but wasn’t aware of other ways to increase savings, investing, the importance of establishing good credit and paying off your debit, until later in life. 

Tonya Rapley of My Fab Finance, is one of my favorite and thorough financial advisors.  She has a simple and easy approach on how to save money, pay off your student loan debt and plan for retirement, just to name a few.

Visit our Blog, were we post tips and inspiration. Follow us on Instagram @Self.Care.Is.Healthy for quick self care is healthy tips.

Love, Self care is Healthy!