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This post piggybacks off of my last post 10 Sustainable Products for Mama Self Care at Home mainly because I really want to drive home the point that self care is important especially during stressful times. Self care will look different for everyone and, not to state the obvious, but self care should be catered to YOU and your needs. For example, maybe you enjoy zoning out while you get your nails done or maybe you enjoy getting away from the city and hiking for the day. Do what fills your cup more often simply for the joy of living, but also so that you can be in a healthier mindset as you engage with others on a daily basis. If I am feeling extremely stressed, I acknowledge that I cannot give my best self to Lila and Levi as their mom, let alone Bryan as his partner. They are an important part of my life and I want them to see the best of me more than the worst of me; making the time to take a step back for myself on a regular basis allows me the breathing room I need to regroup when life is stressful.
You might be thinking, “Yep, I agree with you, but how do I do that when my planner is packed full and the week flies by on a regular basis?” Something that I have come to realize about myself (I don’t think I am the only one since our culture perpetuates this) is that I avoid asking for help. For whatever reason, asking for help seems like a weakness in the moment and asking for help feels like I am incapable. When in reality, if asking for help gives us the ability to accomplish a task more effectively than we would have done on our own, then asking for help should not make you feel like people are looking down on you for doing so. If asking Bryan or another family member to watch the kids for a few hours out of the week will give me the time I need to focus on my self care, then I need to ask for that help so I can show up day after day as my best self.
These are just a few things that I will be doing for self care throughout the year, I hope you can virtually join me in doing what allows you to relax, unwind, and remember how awesome you are and all that you have accomplished!
Sit back and relax…
- Get your hair done – This might not be something for everyone, but if you’ve watched any of the Queer Eye series on Netflix, you will soon realize that self care in the form of proper grooming and sprucing up your look every so often is good for the soul. Whether that’s a haircut, a cut and color, or a simple hydrating hair mask, give your hair a little zhuzh as JVN likes to say.
- Get your nails done – This is similar in thought process to getting your hair done. This also may not be for everyone, but did you know that you don’t have to put color on your nails when you get a mani pedi? You can simply go in for the spa-like treatments and massage and leave the color alone if that’s not your thing. Personally, I love dabbling in a little bit of color every time I get my nails done, but do what makes you comfortable – remember, it’s YOUR self care.
- Get new workout gear and/or suggestions for workouts – There is something to be said about the confidence boost that new workout gear gives to your motivation. Working out in general is a good way to relieve stress and leave the troubles of the world at the gym door. It feels really good to use pent up energy to push some weights around after a stressful day and you get to walk away with a healthier body mentally and physically for it – win win!
Check out these awesome sustainable activewear brands:
- Gratitude journal – I added a gratitude journal to my morning routine a couple of years ago and it has been a game changer. Practicing gratitude on a consistent basis helps our brain search for positive things throughout our day instead of focusing on the negativity that could bring us down.
- New nursing/maternity clothing to fit post pregnancy body – People that have not had kids don’t think about this one, and that’s ok, it’s just something women can find shame in while recovering postpartum. For the first few weeks after Levi was born, I still looked like I was pregnant. Which is completely normal by the way. My body was doing it’s job by slowly going back into place and that took a little bit of time. To be honest, even though I no longer look pregnant seven months later, I still don’t fit into most of my pre-pregnancy clothes. I have put on some weight and sleepless nights with a baby right now don’t set me up for a productive day of working out the next morning. I have found relief in my small investment of specifically maternity or nursing clothing for this time of my life. Sure, a cardigan can be useful no matter what changes your body is going through, but let me just end by saying, it is a game changer when you start to wear maternity jeans or when you can comfortably breastfeed your baby without showing your tummy. I hope one day the shame that is cast upon women feeding their babies in public is a thing of the past. I always think, “if my baby is hungry, why can’t he eat now?” Why would I hold off on feeding my baby because of the strangers around me at any given moment? My baby needs me and I will provide for him. If someone around you is feeling judgmental about you feeding the beautiful life you just created, tell them they are free to leave. Anyways – invest in some specific maternity and/or nursing clothing for your postpartum period. You will not regret it.
Here are a few of my favorite sustainable maternity/nursing brands:
- At home spa day – There are a surprising amount of things you can do at home to get the full on spa experience if you don’t feel like going out or don’t want to spend the money. Check out my post 10 Sustainable Products for Mama Self Care at Home for some great products to do this with sustainability in mind.
- Start the morning with something warm to drink – Another thing I have learned about myself is that I can’t properly start my day without a warm drink. It doesn’t matter if we’re in the dog days of summer, I like to start my day with a warm cup of tea or coffee. It gives me a rewarding experience first thing in the morning and just like a glass of wine at the end of the day for some, a warm cup of coffee starts my morning on the right foot. It’s the little things in this case.
And that’s a wrap…
One of my resolutions this year is to take time for myself. As much as I love being with my family, I have to make time for myself to do what fills my cup and will ultimately make me a better wife, mom, friend, daughter and sister. If I can’t fully enjoy the time that I spend with the people I choose to have around me, then none of my hard work is worth it.
In this list are just a few things that I will be doing for self care throughout the year. I hope you can virtually join me in doing what allows you to relax, unwind, and remember how awesome you are and all that you have accomplished!
Happy new year! You do you babe!
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Until next time,
