Self Care Is Not Selfish

When you think of self care, what comes to mind? Spa days and bubble baths? A day out golfing with the guys? Mani/pedi and afternoon tea? Catching a match with some drinks? While these are all great ways of showing ourselves a bit of extra care they generally aren’t something we do everyday. We often reserve these for a special treat. When we think of self care as only these bigger gestures, which can often be costly, we can easily see them as selfish acts, maybe feeling guilty about spending the money or the time. 

Why is self care so important? We’ve all heard the saying “you can’t pour from an empty glass” or “you can’t light someone’s fire if you’ve let your own flame burn out” but what does this actually mean? It means that when we spend all of our energy on others (family, friends, work etc.) we have no energy to give back to ourselves. When we don’t have energy for ourselves we no longer have energy to give away. This can be both the physical energy it takes to function, but also the mental and emotional energy it takes to handle what life throws our way. It becomes a vicious cycle of giving and giving and never replenishing. When we don’t take the time to replenish our own energy stores we can become physically ill, irritable and burned out. 

So how can you replenish your energy through self care that is both budget friendly and manageable in terms of time?

1. Stop and breathe. Take time to connect with your breath. Allow yourself to quiet the mind while focusing on the inflow and outflow of your breath. Inhale for a count of 5 and exhale for a count of 5. Repeat this breathing pattern until you feel the tension in your body melt away and the mind stilling. 
2. Wake up 10 minutes earlier in the morning to enjoy some quiet time to yourself before you start your day. 
3. Stay hydrated and nourish your body. Drink plenty of water and make sure you eat regularly throughout the day.
4. Put on your favorite song and dance! Shake that stress away and get your energy moving.
5. Say no! Say no to people, social engagements or projects that deplete your energy. Listen to your body and if you need to say no and rest, do it!

Use any of these techniques to help you stay grounded. You can incorporate them into your daily routine or call upon them anytime you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed. Remember you have to put on your own oxygen mask first before you can save anyone else!

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