June 2024

The definition of self-care from the Oxford Standard Dictionary is:

1. the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one's own health.
2. the practice of taking an active role in protecting one's own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress.

Do you exercise self-care? I’m new to this and working on making sure it is a regular part of my life. I often get very caught up in making sure everyone else is okay, that I forget to take a step back and make sure I am okay.

What I have learned is that self-care is important so that I can continue to do the things that matter. I have also learned that it looks different for everyone. For me, it takes a lot of different forms as well. Sometimes self-care is an outdoor walk after work to clear my head and get some fresh air. Sometimes, it’s a Sunday errand and coffee run to get out of the house and have some alone time. Other times it is getting my hair done, or a massage or a facial. It is just time for me.

While sometimes it feels like taking care of myself is just another thing I must do, I also see how good I feel afterwards. I feel refreshed and ready to do what needs to be done. I have found that it is an important part of my being healthy.

We tend to focus on healthy eating or a healthy exercise routine, but I have come to see this as just as important. I want to make sure I am giving 100% to my family and to you, and to do that I make sure I carve out time for me too.

What does self-care look like for you? Are you doing it? Summer is here and as we are into longer days and more relaxed times, fit in time for you too. If you start the habit now, it will carry through when you need it most as times and schedules get busier and more stressful. Let me know what you do or what you are planning to do, to take care of yourself.