Hello dear readers. So sorry if you are getting this twice, I had a glitch in my website. I hope you are faring well in our crazy times! I haven't done much blogging over the last year or so because all of my creative energy has been focused on creating the following three workbooks. If interested, click on the link to read more about them:
I'm Not Good Enough Workbook to learn how you're early narrative can be hurting you
Eating in Peace Workbook for healing your relationship with food and your body
...So, when Emma Grace Brown of emmagracebrown.com contacted me about being a guest blogger on my blog, I was both flattered and happy to have her do so. And here is her blog:
6 Self-Care Tips That Require Little to No Time or Money
Self-care can feel unattainable, especially during these times. But the intention is not to add more to your already loaded plate or create another reason to be hard on yourself. We know that it is essential to be compassionate towards others, but how often do we show kindness to ourselves?
One of the best things you can do for your mind, body, and soul is to take care of yourself. Rather than considering self-care as something outside of work, it's essential to weave it naturally into your routine. Below are six ways that can help you purposely take action towards self-care and that do not require lots of time and money.
Cut Yourself a Break
Although we show sympathy and kindness to others, we can be our own harshest critics. When the force of perfectionism or accountability shows up, ask yourself: "How would I react if a friend would be in the same situation?" According to studies cited by Talent Management, we optimize learning and performance in groups when psychological safety and accountability are present. These ethics can also help you as an individual — by controlling your internal critic, you can create the ideal psychological conditions to go through self-doubt or periods of rumination more quickly. Besides, being kind to yourself doesn't take any of your precious time or money.
Do Something That Makes You Happy
When was the last time you did something that made you happy? If you love to read, work your way through your reading list. If you love to paint, grab a canvas and some acrylics and get to work. Perhaps you'd like to try another hobby, or maybe you'd love to do something you've never done before, such as learn a new skill or attend a new class. Self-care isn't measured by the time you spend doing it but by how you feel during and after.
Eat Healthily and Mindfully
If you can't remember the last time you enjoyed a meal with no distractions or multitasking, this is a must for your self-care daily routine. Show yourself some respect and kindness, and allow yourself to sit back and enjoy a healthy meal free of TV, work, or other distractions. Also, be mindful of what you eat because food has a vital role in our overall health and well-being.
If you're unsure where to look for help to live a healthier life, consider working with a specialist in nutrition, health, and fitness. Many professionals can be found via online job platforms, social media, and so on. Look for an expert you think will do an excellent job by analyzing their reviews, delivery time, and prices before you start working with them.
Take Care of Your Home
When engaging in self-care, you should also consider your living environment. When your place is cluttered and disorganized, it can feel restrictive, which then leads to conflict, depression, and mood swings. Keep your home clean during the day by putting anything you use back in its place. Create a cleaning schedule to get rid of clutter and set a regular deep-cleaning schedule.
Sit in the Sun
Outdoors or indoors, find a patch of sun and just sit and soak up the benefits. Whether you prefer to do something while sitting in the sun or not, ensure you enjoy this self-care tip as much as possible. As GearHungry notes, sunlight offers numerous benefits, including vitamin D, improved metabolism, elevated mood, and more.
Get Active
Living an active life increases feelings of happiness and well-being. However, that doesn't mean you have to go to the gym every day for two hours. Instead, find a form of exercise that makes you feel good, and practice it at home or in the park. If you are older or have restrictions, there are still options available to you, even if you stay home. Wii games, stretching exercises, and step aerobics are just a few of the activities you can enjoy. Yoga is a fantastic option as it includes both meditation and physical movement, and there are plenty of resources online to help you kick start a practice.
We usually don't make self-care a priority, but we should try to focus on it as much as possible. Don't let the excuse that you don't have sufficient time or money neglect your body, mind, and soul.
What stories are cluttering your brain?
If you have trouble giving yourself permission for self-care, it may be due to your early beliefs. I've written a workbook called "I'm Not Good Enough: How the Stories You Tell Yourself are Ruining Your Life," that offers a step-by-step process for reevaluating and letting go of beliefs that are no longer helpful to you.
I would love to hear from you. Please scroll down to the bottom of this page to like or leave a comment.