Bet On Yourself ….8 Self-Care Habits That Will Change Your Life

Hi Everyone,

Today’s post will continue the topic, Bet On Yourself. . . Start A New _____??? Last week’s post focused on Overcoming Impostor Syndrome. This month’s posts will offer ideas for starting or adding a new direction, change or habit in your life. These are all suggestions that focus on living a Bountiful Life. This week the topic is self-care. This is an area that I am working to improve in my life. It’s something we should all prioritize.

If you’re like most people, you probably do a pretty good job of caring for the important people in your life. You do special things for them, give them gifts and you make time for them. However, you probably forget the most important person: YOU.

The better care you take of yourself, the better you’ll be able to care for others.

Taking care of yourself is a habit, perhaps the most important habit you can have. We neglect ourselves in many ways. This is a critical error. Most of us struggle to find the time to really care for ourselves. We try to exercise and try to eat right, but fall short of scheduling the important things needed to make sure we are practicing self-care.

What exactly is self-care?

By definition, according to the International Self-Care Foundation, a UK-based charity whose mission is to “champion self-care around the world,” self-care is simply anything we do to preserve our wellness and prevent illness.

As we strive to live a Bountiful Life, we must include caring for ourselves as a must do. Self-care allows us to live healthier, more fulfilling lives that represent true Bounty.  For many of us we find it hard to commit to self-care. We feel guilty when prioritize time for ourselves.

For our benefit we must change our thinking and be selfish in caring for ourselves.

Bet On Yourself. . . 8 Self-Care Habits That Will Change Your Life!

It’s important to take care of yourself daily. Adopt these 8 habits of Self-Care:

1. Take a daily walk. You’re killing two birds with one stone when you go for a walk alone. It’s a great time to think. Part of your mind is occupied with moving your legs and maintaining your balance. The rest of your brain is free to think creatively.
   
   You’re also getting some good exercise. Most of us spend far too much time sitting each day. Getting up and accumulating a lot of steps is good for the mind and body.
2. Use positive affirmations. Negative self-talk is the norm. You can undo this and give yourself a better perspective on life by using positive affirmations. Come up with just a few and repeat them to yourself throughout the day. Over time, you’ll be pleased with the results of your new thinking.
3. Eat healthier. It’s believed that most people could stop taking their medications if they would only eat better. Our natural instincts are to eat high-calorie foods that aren’t particularly good for us. Unfortunately, this instinct greatly reduces longevity.
   
   Eating healthy can be a real challenge, because it goes against our nature. However, you’ll be amazed at how much better you feel mentally and physically when you clean up your diet and eat more nutrient rich foods.
4. Read each day. Reading is great for brain health. Those that read daily have better cognitive abilities than those that don’t. This advantage extends into old age, too.
   
   Reading is also a great opportunity to learn something new. Imagine how much you could learn over 20 or more years by reading 30 minutes each day. That’s roughly 3600 hours, or 90 40-hour workweeks.
5. Unplug. Your brain needs a rest from the constant stimulation of the internet, your smart phone, TV, tablets, and so on. Give yourself at least a few hours each day of complete rest from these items.
6. Sleep at least 7 hours each night. Everyone seems to claim they only need 5 hours of sleep. Every one of them is incorrect. The science is clear on this matter. To maximize your health and cognitive abilities, you need at least seven hours of sleep. Some people need more.
7. Keep a gratitude journal. Sure, it sometimes seems like there’s nothing good in your life, but that’s almost certainly not true. There are plenty of good things in your life. You’re just failing to recognize them. Remind yourself about all of these positive things by keeping a gratitude journal and writing in it each day.
8. Create a Self-Care plan. Create a plan which will be your road map to self-care.  If you design a plan specific to your needs, it will be a little easier for you to prioritize and follow it. The reality is that only YOU know what your needs are related to self-care, better health and a better life. Having a plan takes the guesswork out of what to do and gives you specific actions to follow. When you have your plan in place, you’ll feel more in control and life won’t feel quite as chaotic. (It also makes it easier to ask for help from those you share your plan with.) Your Self-Care Plan will help you stay on track with your self-care goals! 

Self-care is an important habit to develop. Being at your best is good for everyone around you. When you fail to take care of yourself, other people tend to have less care and respect for you. It’s hard to receive more care and respect from others than you’re willing to give yourself.

You deserve the best. Treat yourself that way.

“It’s not selfish to love yourself, take care of yourself, and to make your happiness a priority. It’s necessary.”

~Anonymous~

“Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.”

~Brené Brown~

“When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life.”

~Jean Shinoda Bolen~

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”

~Anne Lamott~

**DISCLAIMER~PLEASE NOTE**– I am not a medical professional. This post is based upon my own experiences and research and is not intended to suggest that others take it as professional advice. Always consult your medical professional before making any changes to your medication or lifestyle.

Blessings & Peace

Your Future Pilot to Transformation,

BA Design ~ MA Ed ~ Certified Life Coach ~ Workshop Facilitator