Seven Reasons to Get Your Care On
I am sitting here in Texas under a heat dome and that is not a metaphor. As some of you may have read, my Dad had a heart attack and I left the cool of Buffalo to come down to support him and my mom.
In other words, I was a reverse snowbird.
I also became a Caretaker.
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It is my Universe, after all.
And as.like most caretakers, and Americans in general, I have run myself to the bone. In fact, did you know that only about 30% of Americans create time for self-care?
Truth be told, I am not very good at giving myself much tender loving care at home. It’s tough, especially as a mom. Juggling never-ending household chores like laundry (OHHHHH, the laundry!) with work and the kids. Even now that they’re teens and supposedly almost grown, it seems a full-time job. One I love, but nonetheless, a full-time job.
It may seem be impossible under your pile of laundry, but you must make time for self-care
Yet, I know practicing self-care is essential for our overall well-being. It boosts our mental, physical, and emotional health. There are many things we can do on this front. Recently, I shared some of my stress-busters.
Seven Reasons to Get Your Care On
1. Boosted productivity
I usually equate productivity to more work, scheduling more and more work, etc.. Rinse and Repeat However, conditioning our minds this way can discourage us from making time for ourselves. The inevitable result is burnout and over time, reduced efficiency and productivity.
Ironic, right?
On the other hand, self-care can condition us to work effectively without compromising our work quality.
WHAAAAAT????
Bonus, we’re a lot less irritable and cranky with family. (The phrase in my home is “I think we broke Mommy”) And while I have no problems with a full spa day, it’s certainly not necessary to get a boost of productivity. Remember self-care includes any activity that supports every aspect of your health.
Get Your Care One
Oh, and let’s not forget sleep!
ZZZZZZZ
Seven to eight hours of uninterrupted rest is advised, so at least make that your goal. Avoid getting stuck in a monotonous routine, says this rut girl, but still. Add a little spontaneity; whether occasionally working from a coffee shop or heading out to the sunny patio. The mind will thank you.
2. Reduced stress
Parenting is NOT for wimps!
A Pews Research Center study indicates that about 41% admit that parenting is tiring. Okay, I have thoughts - they needed a study? And only 41%? I am thinking there were some liars, but I digress (probably due to my tired, parent mind).
Here’s the thing. If we don’t take care of it, that burnout I mentioned makes us less affectionate. So while we think we’re being SuperMom/Dad, we might just be another kind of Super something. The kind we don’t want our kids saying.
This is where the de-stressing really can make a difference. Taking walk and doing yoga really helps me chill out. These are also things I can do with my hubby or even the kids. Helping them relax can help me, too!
3. Improved mental health
Self-care is also beneficial for your mental health in many ways. My readers know I am a strong advocate for mental health. Self-care helps us build stronger resilience towards stress triggers which builds up our strength from depression, anxiety, and hello… panic attacks. Something I may know a little about.
As we continue, it actually becomes easier to identify activities that can lessen our symptoms. For instance, meditation can help us develop a mindset of gratitude, allowing us to cherish the good things. If you are like me and can’t sit still, foster the same spirit with a gratitude journal; Walks in nature, reading a book, or hobbies like knitting can be helpful, too.
4. Renewed confidence and self-esteem
Maybe the best argument is the boost to your confidence and your self-esteem. If you think about it self-care, self-confidence, and self-esteem all work hand in hand. Deeming yourself worthy of love can prompt you to take good care of yourself.
The heart of self-care is self-love.
Let’s learn to show ourselves the same compassion, understanding, and forgiveness we show others when they falter.
Speak positive words You don’t have to be the butt of all of your own jokes… or is that just me?
Be kind always! That should include ourselves,
For me, putting on a cute outfit, even though I work from home gives me a boost. Find that one thing daily that works for you. Maybe a favorite lipstick or a cologne.
Don’t get into a rut of letting hygiene slide. That happened to me as an early mom. Heck, I even caught myself in a recent video with my brush. AACK! So embarrassing. Avoid it and learn how to clean your hair brushes.
5. Increased energy
Back to that tired parents thing…
The last thing you want is to be perpetually tired when you have many responsibilities.You know, status quo. All that does is lead to crankiness, burnout, lethargy, and exhaustion. We can beat them by practicing self-care regularly.
Don’t Go Chasing Waterfalls…
Okay, now I am notorious for chasing after every fad to make me healthier, more energetic, productive, etc. Randomly trying things to boost energy may not be so beneficial. Fortunately, some things can significantly boost your strength in the shortest possible time. For example, eat the good stuff instead of junk food regularly. Yeah, yeah, yeah. (I know it. I am working on living it.) This way, our bodies can get the needed nutrients to function effectively. Eating every three to four hours is recommended.
I bet you know what I am going to say next. Exercising is also a great way to boost your energy while improving your health and mood. You should also keep yourself hydrated by drinking more water and less caffeine or alcohol.
Get your care on by getting your move on
6. Reduced risks of chronic health conditions
This one really hits home. Self-care goes beyond looks or even feeling good. It’s about our health. Practicing good self-care habits can improve life with a chronic condition.
Let’s start with the basics:
If you’re still smoking -STOP. I know it’s hard. My hubby was a LONG-time smoker .It will help reduce risks of developing cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, lung disease, and so on.
I already mentioned it, but it bares repeating, exercising regularly can prevent obesity. If you’re struggling, I am with you. Try walking. I use my Fitbit to keep me inspired throughout the day.
Apple or not, keep those regular checkups to identify and treat hidden illnesses before complications develop. Believe me, I know they are not fun, but they can save your life.
7. Great role model for your kids
Do as I say not as I do.
You and I know that isn’t going to work. By practicing self-care, you can start a new generational legacy for your children. Since kids learn mainly by observation, they can quickly grasp the importance of prioritizing their physical, mental, and emotional health. This can enable them to build self-confidence while staying on top of their overall well-being.
Extra benefit — if they chill out, it makes it a whole lot easier for you to chill out.
I am definitely a work in progress. A whirling dervish work, at that, but as I grow and mature, I realize that time is a commodity that is less available and more precious than I once thought. Therefore, I look to make the most of that time now emotionally rather than simply efficiently.
