Self care is #1 priority for everyone! To be truly happy and feeling well, people must take care of themselves physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. A person can't be the best they can be if one of these areas is unbalanced. Dissatisfaction with life, unhappiness, and negativity can be the result from the lack of self care. Let's talk about physical self care.
Sleep. Without enough sleep a person can feel cranky and be irritable. This affects those around you and all your relationships with people at home, at work and when you are out with the public. It sets you up for a negative day. Also, it affects your coping skills. For example: dealing with traffic in a healthy manner is much more difficult when deprived of rest and sleep!
Sleep. Without enough sleep a person can feel cranky and be irritable. This affects those around you and all your relationships with people at home, at work and when you are out with the public. It sets you up for a negative day. Also, it affects your coping skills. For example: dealing with traffic in a healthy manner is much more difficult when deprived of rest and sleep!
Food. Not eating healthy can make you feel sluggish. Your brain might not be getting the protein and nutrients it needs to function at top level. Trouble concentrating at school or work can result. Long term results could be the development and susceptibility to disease.
Exercise. Not exercising can also make you feel sluggish, easily fatigued with loss of muscle tone and strength. All your tissues are getting the minimum amount of oxygen needed. Your heart needs to be exercised. Studies show that cardiac problems such as high blood pressure can be improved by exercising. If you are not active physically, stress builds up within you since there is no energy release from daily stress and negative emotions. As stress levels increase, anxiety can result. Blood pressure and blood sugar go up. All of that contributes to the development of diseases.
What can you do for physical self care?
Stick to a bedtime routine. Relax for an hour before trying to sleep. Don't eat too late in the evening since that can contribute to insomnia. Read a book. Take a hot bath and unwind. Shut off your cell phone early or program it to ring for certain numbers only after a certain time of night.
Eat healthy. I am not talking about being a fanatic unless that is what you want. Logically, choose foods with less salt and sodium and don't use the salt shaker. Choose foods lower in sugar and limit sweets to fresh fruit. Use fresh or frozen vegetables instead of canned. Have fun with new recipes! Choose heart healthy options on the restaurant menu.
Take a daily walk for 30 minutes. Not motivated to do that? Then adopt a dog from the Humane Society and that will force you to take that walk every day. Take the stairs instead of elevator. Park your car further away from the store entrance. Get a neat bicycle and ride the local trails. Join fundraiser walks for your favorite cause. Be creative and have fun with your partner!
Other ideas: make an appointment for your annual physical or wellness visit.
Monitor your blood pressure and blood sugar if applicable.
Try something different for your health such as acupuncture, chiropractor, or treat yourself and get a massage monthly. Join the local Y and use their pool. Try something you always thought about, like Tai Chi, gentle Yoga, kickboxing, Judo or Karate. Take a self defense course. Go hiking. Make it fun and challenge someone to do a specific number of trails to try to beat you. Join a local club that does activities together such as dancing of any kind, hiking, nature walks, rollerblading, volleyball, biking, swim racing.
It all starts with taking care of yourself. Start doing this and getting help and staying in recovery will become easier.
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