With summer coming to an end ( I know I’m crying too thinking about impending snow) there is a lot of talk about back to school supply lists. Often, we lose our routine throughout the summer, but now can be a great time to get back into it or even start a new one. Lets create a back to school supply list to pick up some self-care techniques for ourselves.
Whether your a parent who has some newfound time available now that the kids are in school, a college student heading back for a new semester or just nostalgic for when you were a little kid waiting patiently for your teacher assignment tis the season for fresh starts.
Actually Relax: You have full permission to drop the chores for a bit (even if you have a 15 minute break) and give yourself a much needed respite from reality. Take a nap, binge some Netflix, read a few chapters in that book you’ve been putting off. Our world is so fast paced give yourself a time out and slooooow down.
Yoga: Whether you join a community class or turn on YouTube and set your mat up in your living room. Yoga is a great way to de-stress and get back into alignment of your body, mind, and soul.
Meditation and Mindfulness: Closely connected to yoga, mindfulness is the practice of focusing your awareness on the present moment while also acknowledging and accepting one’s thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations without judgment. It can be used in all areas of your life.
You can be mindful as you clean the house, drive your car, eat a piece of chocolate or having a conversation with your kids. Meditation is taking time to sit and give yourself a specific time to be present. Some people like to use a mantra to calm the mind or play a guided mediation through YouTube.
Exercise: Get your sweat on! You can go to the gym, go for a walk or run, or simply push play for on demand or Youtube in home workouts. With technology these days there are so many great workouts at the tip of our fingers. You don’t even have to work out that long to get the full benefits of exercise.
Who doesn’t have time for a 15-minute workout? Find something (here’s the key) you enjoy doing that makes your body move and it won’t feel like a drudgery.
Connect: We need healthy in real-life relationships and adult contact and conversations for our overall well-being. Schedule a coffee date with a friend. Join a yoga class or get a gym membership to help with that adult connection and reap the physical benefits at the same time.
Self Development: Don’t forget to take time to connect to your inner self and what makes you happy. What brings you personal joy? What are you passionate about? How can you fit this in? Take time to learn a new language, take that Tai Chi class you’ve always been intrigued about, grab a friend and hit up a local museum.
Taking time for yourself is not selfish if fact it is self-less. When you practice self-care you become a better parent. The more you fill yourself up the more you will have to give to your family and friends. You also get to show your kids and the world around you the importance of doing what you love and staying healthy.
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