Journey to Self Care

Life has been busy, you have been going 100 mph all week, and now it’s Friday and you finally get to breathe. Right!? Not exactly, see many of us don’t take the time we need to relax and recharge. In 2018, I have seen more post floating around on social media about self-care than any other topic, but do we really have good self-care techniques? Are we, as a collective equipped and skilled with the tools we need to deal with life and to cope with daily stressors? Arguably, I’d say no, because there are still rising use of prescription drugs related to anxiety and depression. Without getting all technical in the realm of statistics, let’s just say that the percentage could be significantly lower if those individuals had been taught healthy coping techniques as opposed to medicine that suppresses their symptoms. But that’s another topic, I’ll write about another day. Right now, the objective is to help shift the paradigm into a more holistic approach that will be inclusive to the MIND, BODY, and SOUL.

What is Self-Care?

“Self-care is the fuel that allows your light to shine brightly.”

Self-care is the awareness that your mind, body, and soul needs nurturing from you. It is the awareness that you are a spirit that is attached to a body with a brain that functions like a machine in this reality. Everyday you are working, going to school, driving in traffic, taking care of your kids, and adhering to a schedule of your mundane human routine. But when do you unplug from the demands of life and silence your mind from the outside noise and allow yourself to retreat deep into yourself?

Sleep shouldn’t be the only form of restoration you get. Each day you need to take time out from the external world to check into with your inner self. And by checking in, I mean bringing your attention to your physical body by starting at your root chakra and rising all the way up to your crown chakra, wiggle your fingers and toes, roll your shoulders and your neck, rock back and forth on your feet, move your hips and touch your body to feel for any tension that you may be holding in your face, your neck, your shoulders, or in your lower back? Assess your body…. are you hydrated, Is your chest tight, are you feeling dense or light? Is your body carrying blocked energy, or are you open and letting life flow through you?

Next, check in with your mental, take some time and spend it alone, try for complete silence in solitude (this may sound and be scary at first but just breathe and think positively and affirm “I AM SAFE” if you start to feel any fear surfacing). Learning how to be ok with being alone provides space for you to discover your inner voice. Don’t be afraid to seek by asking yourself questions to evaluate where you are mentally, be honest with yourself…. Where are you vibing? Can you feel your emotions or are you disconnected from yourself? where are your thoughts? Are they hopeful, optimistic, and affirming (of love) or are they full of worry, self-criticism, and doubt (fear based)?

Lastly, if you do all these things mentioned above then you’ve covered the last one…. Lol No but seriously, self-care is knowing yourself and being in tune with your body, its knowing where you are lacking and where you need to pour into yourself. Your body is a vehicle that transports your soul and other important organs and systems that make up your physical existence, it needs every part to function and operate to keep it running smoothly. Think of Self-care as the maintenance you perform on yourself by learning how to listen for signs of malfunction. Love yourself and make sure you are checking in regularly.

Below, I have listed a few simple self care techniques for those who are embarking on a journey to self discovery and self love. There are many ways you can nurture and pour into yourself, your job is to find what works best for you. Don’t limit yourself.

Simple Self-Care Techniques:

• Spend time alone and self-reflect

• Check in with your Mind, Body, and soul

• Move around/ Be active

• Eating enduring food (fruits and Veggies)

  
  

Ways to remove Blockage or negative energy:

• Yoga (Recommend Vinyasa Yoga)

• Meditation

• A walk/hike in nature

• Say Positive affirmations “I am”

• Listening to healing tones or frequencies

• Journaling (Purge yourself of negativity by leaving it on paper)

• Burn Sage or Palo Santos to cleanse home or office

• Burn candles or essential oils (lavender, peppermint, or frankincense)

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I aspire to help you transcend and shift your reality from limitation to infinite potential. Sending expressions of gratitude to my readers for your time and energy. Comments and feedback are welcomed.