Create your Self-Care Plan

Why Self-Care is Important

The most important thing we can do to increase our sense of well-being and sense of satisfaction in life is to embrace self-care.

Stress is a direct result of a lack of self-care and most illness is a direct result of too much stress. We need to accept self-care as being vital to our health and well-being and not look at it as a selfish act.
True self-care will build your resilience, self-confidence, self-esteem, improve relationships, work performance and sense of satisfaction in life.

Why is it so hard to prioritize? I don't think people really understand self-care. I know I sure didn't.

Some people may think they are practicing self-care, when they are really just treating themselves, which could be having the opposite effect. Are you tricking yourself in thinking that going out for drinks with friends is self-care? You need some fun? While the social component may be very good for you, the negative effect of the drinking could be outweighing the benefit of being with friends, leaving you feeling drained. That is not self-care. Not to say that you can't go out with friends.  Just don't kid yourself that it is part of your self-care routine and that  you are doing everything you can to support yourself. Self-care might be saying no.  It's for you to decide.

What does self-care mean to you?  Does it mean a manicure or pedicure? A massage or a facial?  While those are enjoyable examples of what self-care can include, it is not a complete picture of what a total self-care routine is.  Another trap can be taking time for a pedicure, thinking you are nurturing yourself, which is good, but grabbing fast food on the fly, which is not.  Pretty toes are great and, honestly, if they make you feel good, then they do have a place in your overall personal care picture (as they do for me) but they alone will not be able to hold up a wellness plan.
Healthy eating and good nutrition is an essential foundation to a good self-care plan.
Caring for oneself should be based around things that really do support you in your health and well-being.

I love this definition:
Self-care is the collection of habits that support and strengthen your emotional and physical health and well-being.

With a good self-care plan and routine, we know what is important for ourselves. It gives us a playbook of how to stay feeling our best in all ways. It helps us set boundaries, to say no to what is not important.  It helps us create a better life/work balance because we have factored our mental health into our every day decision making process.
Embracing a great self-care plan is a the perfect place to start making changes in your life. If you are stressed out, look at your self-care.  If you are burned out, look to your self-care.

Here is what self-care means to me;  why it's important and the strategies I use.
I invite you to create your own or borrow mine to get started.

1. Self-care means knowing who you are, your values and limits.
     Why- When you know what is important and what goals you are working towards, you can more easily set boundaries.
     Strategy- Write down what you value! One of my core values is feeling good and having energy so a lot of my self-care plan is directed towards that goal. Its easy to make choices that support that goal.

2. Self-care means getting the sleep/rest you need.
     Why- Sleep is essential to waking up feeling great and full of energy.
    Strategy- For me, going to bed early works, if you are a night owl- it really means getting 7-8 hours of sleep.  Don't drink coffee and eat dinner at least 3 hours before bed.

3. Self-care means cooking healthy meals for yourself.
     Why- Eating healthily is the most important step for me feeling good.
    Strategies- Plan meals ahead for the coming week. Cook on Sundays to make the weekdays easier. On weekdays, after work,  start to cook early enough (4 p.m.) so that you have the energy and desire to cook a healthy meal.

4. Self-care means staying hydrated.
      Why- When your body works better and your skin looks better.
     Strategy- I take water with me everywhere I go and back up water in the car. I set reminders on my phone for when I get busy and forget to drink.

5. Self-care means having a morning routine.
      Why- It helps you to feel that you, not your job, are in control of your life. It creates time for yourself.
      Strategies- Get up early enough to have ample time so you aren't rushing.  This practice creates time for tea, meditation, gratitude and learning.

6. Self-care means taking time for personal growth.
      Why-  Growing is essential to feeling fulfilled and happy.
      Strategy- Set aside time every day for learning something new.

7. Self-care means feeding your soul.
     Why- Staying inspired, interested and curious are essential to feeling my best
     Strategy- look for daily inspiration in nature, art, even inspiring YouTube videos, some social media can be inspiring, but much of it is not. Be careful going there for inspiration.

8. Self-care means being mindful of what you take in visually and auditorily.
      Why- Whatever you focus on grows-  limiting negative input is important.
     Strategy- Limit your daily news intake, social media time, negativity (including negative people).

9.  Self-care means managing your thoughts.
      Why- To stay in a healthy place, mentally, don't let negative thoughts run wild in your head.
      Strategy- Stop negative thoughts when they pop up. Shift thinking to more positive thoughts.

10. Self-care means getting consistent support in growth.
      Why- Work with someone whose goal is to help you!  The benefits are amazing.
      Strategy- I am in a women's group that includes coaching.

I invite you make a list of what self-care means. Include your reasons why and the strategies you see to achieving each.  Try this out for a month.  See what a big impact a self-care plan can have!