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Things I love: Episode 3 - Self Care and Meditation
You see it EVERYWHERE #selfcare, usually followed or attached to a picture like the one above. A picture of someone soaking in a luxurious bath reading a book by candlelight. Sometimes it is someone at a spa with cucumbers on their face with a puke green mask and you think "I am going to puke if I see anymore #selfcare posts".
Do not get me wrong I LOVE being the basic #selfcare person soaking in a bathbomb with a candle lit, oftentimes I am reading a book because this is the only time I get to read.
Self care is SO important for the mind, body and soul! I read that it is more than just a bath and a book, sometimes it is more. It is important to take time for you! We go around trying to please everyone and doing things for them, telling them how important it is to take 10 minutes out of their day, but we don't do that for ourselves! Isn't that just a catch 22? I would say so.
1. Self care is important to maintain a healthy relationship with oneself. It boosts your self esteem and confidence!
2. You need to have that work/life balance!
3. Don't waste your life! In the article it states "Why waste it [life] when we have the choice to have a more meaningful existence".
4. To have better physical health
SELF CARE IS MORE THAN JUST A BUBBLE BATH
Here is a list (from my own and the article) of ways to have that #selfcare.
1. Take a hot bath or shower
2. Listen to music
3. Read a book
4. Go for a jog/walk/run
5. Meditate or do deep breathing for five minutes (more on this later).
6. Take a break amongst the chaos
7. Choose who you spend time with
8. Laugh at least once a day
9. Create a budget or evaluate spending habits
10. Avoid emotional eating
11. Start a journal (self journal, money journal, self care journal, gratitude ... so many journal types)
12. Learn to say no
13. Stop over thinking
14. Make lists
Comment below with how you do #selfcare.
So let's now talk about Meditation (number five on the list). I have recently started to meditate before I go to bed. Every Night I hear that little voice in my head that is like "oh did you want to sleep? Well here are 1000 things to make you not sleep and overthink". Mediation is a little hard at first because of life's distractions. It gets you concentrating on the deep breathing and focusing on your body. It is so relaxing and I have had better sleep because of it. Meditation clears your mind and helps you have inner peace and a quiet mind, you can do it no matter your age, ethnicity, size, or experience level!
You can always find local mediation groups to go to, or download some applications that are free, but to get more features you can buy a monthly subscription.
I use the Calm App. I pay for the subscription because I have depression and anxiety and I need the help during the day. Sometimes I will plug in my headphones and take a 2 minute "emergency" meditation series to help alleviate stress.
This is not an ad for the Calm app but it is one I use and I love it! You can get it on iPhone or Android for free, and then subscribe to get more features.
Another one that provides some mediation and other self care needs is the Pacifica app. This is one that provides chat groups and forums along with mediation and other activities. I use the free version, but again, you can pay for a subscription.
So comment below what applications you use to help with your self care needs. I would love to create a page on my blog with links to different applications and classes for the topics I write about!