Almost a month ago, I posted my little epiphany that I’m actually not that good at self care and that I’m determined to change that.
I wrote an action plan of things I could do to make me slow the heck down, take care of me, and stop being so hard on myself. In the few weeks since, I think I’ve done a pretty good job. So, let’s check in.
Journal daily
Well, I journal now, but daily is a stretch. I go for stretches of writing every day, and then I won’t pick up my journal for several days. The difference is that now I know it’s there for me to use. When I have thoughts I need to get out of my head, my journal is right there, and that’s much better than letting icky thoughts take over my headspace.
Drink water first
I still drink my fair share of tea, Diet Coke, and kombucha, but I make sure to sip water beforehand. Overall, I’ve done pretty well with this one. I credit some of that ease to Essence pH10, an awesome water that is enriched with hibiscus for antioxidants and has 10% of your daily value of calcium, magnesium, and zinc. As part of my partnership with Fit Approach, Essence sent me a few boxes of water to try, and I love it. I’m obsessed with magnesium for relaxation, and if I can get a little extra from my water, I’m all for it.
I take them to class, yoga class, and even buried one in my suitcase to take to Florida with me. Scroll to the bottom for a chance to win some for yourself!
Listen to a podcast a day
Except for while I was in Florida, done. I started listening to a few new ones, and I’ve flown through the episodes. If I have a podcast in my ears, it keeps me from getting into my own head too much when I’m just going about daily life, which is good for a chronic over-thinker like me.
Create something new in the kitchen once a week
Check! I’ve made everything from spicy meatballs and super tasty muffins to new smoothies and salad combos. I don’t have a ton of time, but I can totally sneak in enough time to make at least one fun new dish a week. And if I make a big batch of something, it means I save time later. Win-win.
Go out to eat once a week
Done. It has usually been Chipotle when I’m around here (called it). Hey, it’s right across the street from my yoga studio, so it’s crazy convenient. Also, people send me Chipotle gift cards because they know my love for guac runs deep.
When I was in Florida, we went out for basically all of the meals.
When I’m home for spring break, I’m sure we’ll also go out several times. It’s really a great way to take the pressure off when you already have 283594 things to do. And you can enjoy the food and company without worrying about cleaning up.
Go to yoga 4 times a week
I approximately hit this one. Really, the goal was just to go more than I had been.
Sometimes I just do a YouTube yoga video in my dorm room or go through a partial version of the sequence I teach, but I have been making it to a studio pretty often, and I love it every freaking time.
Other things
In addition to all those planned things, I’ve been working other little ways to be nice to myself into life.
- I change into comfy clothes when my body rejects real clothes. If I don’t have anywhere I have to be, this often means pajamas before 8pm. I have very minimal shame about walking around in pajamas in the dorm in the evenings.
- I slap on Salonpas and/or Thermacare and/or my giant heating pad whenever I have time or think it can help. None of them travel that well, but if I’m in my room for a couple hours, I take advantage of the change to ease whatever tension I can.
- I stop doing schoolwork at least an hour before bed. Admittedly, there are times when I finish one more thing right before going to sleep, but giving myself the time to wind down definitely helps me fall asleep faster.
- I rub a little lavender essential oil on my wrists a bit before I head to bed. I don’t know if I really believe it makes you sleep or relax or whatever it’s supposed to do, but it serves as a signal to my body that it’s about time for bed.
Basically, I’m just working on finding a little more calm and space in all the crazy. And I do feel quite a bit better, honestly. Even though I have three finals tomorrow.
The giveaway
So, earlier I told you all about the Essence water I’m loving, and Essence and I want to give you the chance to win some, too. Enter with the Rafflecopter below! The giveaway closes at 12am EST on March 12, and I’ll contact the winner before the 14th.
Open to U.S. residents only. One prize per person. If you win a prize from another blogger, please disclose that so we can choose another winner.
Good luck!
Your turn:
How have you been taking care of yourself lately?
What was the best part of your weekend?
It will help me stay hydrated day to day with my health issues and as I walk, stretch and do PT!
Oh I sure know about health issues and gentle exercise! Water is key for me, too!
YAY for you taking care of yourself! Speaking of… white, red, or sweet pink?
Hm not-too-sweet white is my fave, pink is cool, not huge on most reds. See you tomorrowwwwww ❤
These are great tips, many that I’m still working on too! I used to go right for the coffee pot when I wake up; now I drink 16 oz of water first!
Every little thing of hydration helps!
It takes a lot of time to figure out the best self care balance. Sounds like you are on your way. I also try to shut down about an hour before bed. It really seems to help!
That definitely helps me fall asleep faster!
Self care is so important. But somehow, it’s SO hard! We also listen to a lot of podcasts, especially when we’re in the car together and just want to zone out and not listen to trashy music 😉 My husband reads a lot, and I like treating myself to the occasional pedicure. Thanks for the reminder to keep up with our self-care habits!
Oooh a pedicure is a great idea!
You don’t know how much I love reading all the things you’re doing to re-fill your cup. I love to listen to podcasts so much, and I think the BGB community has definitely gotten me on that train. It can be a great informal way for me to learn, without feeling like the brain is overly taxed. And I LOVE creating a recipe a week, just for fun; sometimes I put it up on the blog, sometimes I do it on Instagram or sometimes I just do it and forget what the recipe was. 😀 And PJ’s for the win; I love PJ days or PJ evenings.
Yesss the BGB Community makes me feel like self care is cool ?
It will help me stay hydrated for my walking and biking exercises.
Walking and hiking are some of my favorites!
I would love it for my workouts!
What’s your favorite workout?
The best part of my weekend was running in an 8km race which I was just planning on walking. It felt so good to run again.
What podcasts are your favorite?
Ahhh that’s awesome! Congrats! And I just wrote a post with my fave podcasts!! ?
stay hydrated for that peloton spin!
Oooh I want to try peloton!
This would be perfect for after hot yoga (like the killer class my dad and I went to yesterday)! And Chipotle = life. I love using FightMasterYoga’s youtube videos to practice some yoga at night, too.
Hot yoga is the best! And I’ve actually. Ever heard of FMY, so I’ll have to check that out!
So many fist pumps for this post. I think this is something we should ALL make an effort to do (the self care acts, of course, but also making a conscious list and then later going back to see how we are doing and recapping what is/isn’t feeling good). Journaling more is definitely something I wish I could keep better habit with. It helps me so much, and yet sometimes I choose mindless internet scrolling etc. rather than writing out my thoughts. I tried to start a gratitude journal and write in it every morning (like – 5 seconds of my time) and yet I can’t seem to stick to it even though I know it makes me feel really good at the start of my day. Maybe that will be my goal, once again.
Do you have any suggestions for favorite on line yoga videos?? I
Casey just got me hooked on FightMasterYoga, but I’ll it together a roundup of all my fave videos!
It would help me hydrate better for long walks I take with my husband.
That sounds like a great habit!
The water would keep me better hydrated for runs.
Definitely! Gotta stay hydrated on the run!
I’ve been trying to focus on taking care of myself, too, but it definitely gets harder around this time of year since it’s midterm season and the week or two before spring break are always PACKED. Changing into my PJs right when I get home at night, even if I’ll be up doing hw for a couple more hours, is one of my favorite ways to relax, too!
That’s one of my busiest times, too. Every little bit of calm helps!
It can definitely help me out with my running!
Definitely! Gotta drink a lot when you run a lot!
I started 2 1/2 years ago and haven’t missed a day since… it’s seriously become therapy for me 🙂 okay i listen to podcasts everyday, so give me some suggestions… i’d love to listen to something new!
Wow I admire your consistency!! And I just wrote a post of podcasts because people have been asking! http://www.myuncommoneveryday.com/2017/03/14/favorite-podcasts/
Also… this water will help me stay awake and alert in class 🙂
It will help me stay hydrated for my daily walk I take <3
Love taking a good walk!
It will help me stay hydrated and awake after jogging and yoga!
For sure!
I would use it to stay hydrated throughout the day, especially during workouts or my daily commute around NYC.
Haha waking around the city is a workout in itself!
It sounds like you’ve been doing a great job at keeping up with these! I use essential oils before bed too and I swear it helps so much! I have this Chill blend from Frisky Fish essential oils and it’s perfect!
Oooh that’s exactly what I need ?
I need energy for chasing my two little ones.
Definitely! That’s a workout in itself!
Walking and hiking..just busy busy all the time
I can relate!
They all sound like really sensible goals which will make a difference but aren’t actually that hard to do (most of the time!). I’ve been thinking about taking care of myself more lately as well, although I’m in a different life stage to you, but we all need to be conscious of what our bodies are up to and nurture them where they are, don’t you think?
Absolutely! Everyone could do with a little extra self care!