Self-care in Stressful Times

There come times in our lives when stress, whether from personal relationships, career, or the world around us, affects us deeply; it stops us in our tracks, makes it difficult to sleep at night, and can make us sick to our stomachs. Yet we still have to function, go to work, participate in the relationships in our lives, get our basic survival needs met, and take care of our children/dependents. So we often just push through, without processing, without sleeping and eating properly, without allowing time and space for our souls to breathe. What can then follow is a breakdown, a health crisis, ending up sick in bed for a week, or ‘losing it,’ at work or home. We sometimes don’t even know we’re at a breaking point until it happens.

 

When I talk to my clients about self-care, for many it’s a foreign concept. To many it seems like a luxury, or even selfish. Do we deserve it? With all the things that need taking care of in our lives and in the world, should we be focusing time, resources and energy on ourselves?

 

Self-care, in my opinion, is one of the most important things you can do for your health, your happiness, and your ability to handle stress… and by the way, it’s anything but selfish. Whether you’re a parent, a care-giver, a partner, run a company of people who depend on you, or do important work to make the world a better place, we must listen to those nice folks on the airplane who tell us to put the oxygen mask on ourselves first before assisting others. You can’t help anyone if you’re not breathing. Self-care makes you a better parent/partner/boss/employee/friend/artist.

 

So, what is self-care exactly? Self-care is highly personal, and it’s different for different people. It can take place in small moments during your day, or take the form of a vacation.

 

Self-care could be:

• Taking time alone to rest or meditate.
• Journaling to process thoughts and feelings.
• Spending time in nature.
• Cooking for yourself.
• Turning off the news/social media for a few hours, a full day, or longer if possible. Maybe make this a regular occurrence.
• Deep breathing exercises (here is Dr. Weil demonstrating my favorite: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gz4G31LGyog)
• Talking with trusted family/friends/loved ones.
• Aromatherapy from candles, incense or essential oils.
• Getting a massage.
• Getting a pedicure, going to a spa, getting a facial.
• Watching something uplifting or funny.
• Reading something spiritual, or something that nourishes your soul.
• Getting to sleep early, or at least on time.
• Feeding your body nourishing, whole food.
• Taking a bath.
• Applying lavender cream to your hands and feet.
• Cuddling with a pet, a partner, or your child.
• Taking a personal day from work.
• Being gentle with yourself, setting your to-do list aside for a moment, allowing yourself to ‘just be.’

 

In these ways we can recharge our batteries. We can fill up our emotional bank accounts, get the rest we need, and process and express emotions that otherwise might get caught in our bodies.

 

And in this way we can become healthier and stronger for those around us, we can handle the stress of the times without letting it debilitate us, and we can show up as the citizens that the world desperately needs us to be right now.

 

So go ahead, and take care of your wonderful self!