Show yourself some love and attention like you would a close friend or partner.
Many people do so many things for others or may have a lot of responsibilities with work, family or running a household that they often neglect their own needs and health. If you are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, stressed, irritable or emotionally drained, it may be your body’s way of telling you to slow down and spend some time doing the things you love. Also don’t ignore any health issues that come up; it is important to stay as healthy as you can be. If you expend so much energy on helping others without taking care of yourself, you may not be the best version of “you” that you can be.
When it comes to self-care and appreciation, it doesn’t have to be big. Take small steps to make progress toward adding more time for yourself more consistently. Think about what makes your heart happy. What brings joy to your life? What have you been putting off that you need to complete to feel more at peace? What do you enjoy doing that you haven’t made the time to do?
Here are some self-care activities to help you feel more love for yourself and think about the things that bring you joy in your life.
Journaling
Take time to journal to help you process stresses, day-to-day events and gain inner clarity on your current path and where you desire to be.
Take a Bath
Epsom salt bath – magnesium salts help to relax, destress and detox any negativity from the day.
Get a Massage, Manicure or Pedicure
In as little as a half hour, you can make yourself feel pampered and relaxed with this gift that shows you care about yourself.
Add More Fun to Your Life
Plan a night out with friends or a date night with your partner or do an activity you enjoy doing. If you haven’t made the time to have fun, schedule it in 1-2 times per month. It’s good for the soul.
Schedule that Medical Appointment
There seems to always be that appointment we put off. Go ahead and put it on the calendar to show yourself some self-love.
Appreciation Exercise
Upon waking, place your hands on your heart and think about all of the things, people and experiences that you deeply appreciate. You can start by listing all of the things you love and are grateful for and truly feel it. This can be done in as little as a few minutes. Setting intentions in the morning can also help set the stage for the day. At the end of the day, recall at least one thing that you appreciate about your day.
Daily Positive Affirmations
Make a list of affirmations that help you to maintain a healthy mindset. Repeating the affirmations daily for 21 days changes the neural pathways in your brain, allowing you to create the life you desire.
Take a Walk or Spend Time in Nature
Nature helps you to be more present and grounded in the moment and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us daily.
Mirror Exercise
Look at yourself in the mirror. At first you may see all of your imperfections (looking tired, wrinkled, aging) but I challenge you to look deeper. What do you appreciate about yourself? What do you love about yourself? What experiences have brought you to this point in your life? The eyes are the windows to the soul, so take time to really look at yourself. FBN
By Christina Kovalik
Dr. Christina Kovalik NMD, LAc, The Vitality Doctor, is a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist specializing in hormone optimization, optimal health and vitality. She is a new Flagstaff resident, practicing since 2004, and opened her second location in Doney Park in 2020. For more information, visit thevitalitydoctor.com or call 928-863-6086.
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