Self-Care In All Moments

Depending on your definition of self-care this may be how you feel - It's one more thing to do. I don't have time. That costs money. Self-care has become a word that has many definitions. Self-care has been seen as something that is being indulgent, caring for basic necessities, or taking time you don't have to spend on yourself. I invite you to see self-care differently! 

For an on-going self-care routine, keep in mind that self-care is a part of daily moments versus something that is indulgent, a necessity, a requirement, a "should" do. If you choose to change your perspective, self-care is in all things not one thing. Self-care is in scheduled activities, daily routines, and how you treat yourself. Self-care is:

• Intentionally scheduling fun through coffee with a friend or getting your nails done. 

• Finding joy in the present moment of your routines; such as, when brushing your teeth or going for walks. 

• Growing a relationship with yourself through investigating your thoughts, reflecting on your actions, regulating your nervous system.

• And more

Overall, self-care is conscious choices to intentionally care for self in the way you need in the moment! 

Self-care has different needs at different times. What you need in the moment changes. These needs don't need to take a lot of time, cost money, or be indulgent. Checking in with yourself and making choices to support yourself is self-care. Use the below tips to check-in on your self-care.

1.WHAT: Check Your Well-Being Buckets for What Needs Attention

Look at self-care as different well-being buckets to keep full versus one item. For yourself, determine what bucket(s) are low and provide some self-care for that well-being bucket, in the moment. 

• Mental well-being bucket

• Emotional well-being bucket

• Physical well-being bucket

• Spiritual well-being bucket

2. HOW: List a Range of Self-Care Items That Fit Your Different Needs

Now that you know which well-being bucket is needing attention, move on to view self-care as a range of items. Self-care can be simple to extravagant, take little time to lots of time, and a community or solo environment. Putting self-care into a one-size fits all doesn't work. Instead, have a variety of "self-care prescriptions" and determine what is needed at the time for your determined well-being bucket. 

• Simple to extravagant

  • Reflect on your self-talk or book a 7-day vacation

• Little time to lots of time

  • Journal for 5 minutes or cook with family dancing to music for an hour

• Community to solo

  • Dinner with others or read by yourself 

Fun Tip: 

• Driving to your destination: Turn off the music, take deep breaths at each right turn, smile to yourself at each left turn, stretch shoulders/neck/arms at each red light. (please drive responsibly) Be silly, laugh, and find joy in self-care!

Driving kids to practice? Have a jam session together on the way to practice. (please drive responsibly) Connect with your kids, laugh, and smile - ALL self-care for you and them!