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What Is Self Care?
To explain first, self care is any activity you do in efforts to prevent derailment in your mental, physical and emotional health. It’s the preventative activities you do to take care of yourself first! You are your biggest asset! Without the 100% you, you are also failing yourself and your other assets (family members, people you supervise, coworkers, friends, etc.).
Why Is Self Care Important?
You may work in a field where you experience unhealthy, insane amounts of work stress. Accountants during tax season. Teachers during the ENTIRE school year. Full-time bloggers while also trying to be a full-time parents. And the list goes on of professions all over subjected unhealthy stress levels.
And what usually occurs while you are under stress? You forget about self care. The preventative derailment activities take a back seat. Your immune system goes on a roller coaster ride. You may become sick and frankly, get depressed!
Oh Snap! What Can I Do?
Read on to find the best self care acts you can do to keep yourself and others on the course!
The Gift Of Giving Self Care
As a previous manager, I gave “Self Care Mood Boosting” gift boxes to employees or team members during the crazy cycles of the year. It was a great way to motivate people as well as serve as an active reminder for myself, and for others, to take care of themselves first. Work can wait. Some of the items that I gave over the years that went over the best with staff were:
1. Neti Pot with Saline Packets and Puffs Tissues
Seriously. I know you think ewww right? Hey, don’t knock it until you try it! I gave this to a friend of mine who is now a hotshot manager supervising many team leads. She just sent a text the other day (which inspired this post), Hey, I’m still using the d*** neti pot you gave me 9 years ago…I hate it…and love it. I bought one for all of my employees. I hate you. And love you, B****
Awww…best friends will tell you like it is! I use this neti pot daily. Please remember to follow CDC guidelines (don’t use tap water, it could be unsafe if not boiled). I boil mine for 10 minutes and let it cool down enough to where it won’t burn my nostrils. Only if I’m sick I use the saline packets as I don’t feel the need unless I’m really plugged up. This is my second Himalayan neti pot. FYI – when you drop it on a tiled floor, it shatters into 3498759348759834 pieces.
2. Adult Coloring Books and Fine-Point Markers
OK, before you go off and start making snowflake comments, hear me out! Yes, not only do adult coloring books help process emotions and reduce stress by being a very calming activity. But, they also promote more active listening skills. I’ve given these to some employees and they work! Such as on long conference calls or webinars, instead of taking notes, or letting their mind wander on other activities like checking their social media, people actively listen better. And actually participate in the call! When they hear a question, they will chime in with the answer! They will attest they are better able to retain information from actively listening vs. taking notes. Wahoo! Works for me!
3. Chapstick and Lotion
Super simple items right? Yet, super grateful to have all of these in almost every room of my house and on my desk at work! I know I’m crabbier when I have cracked dry hands and lips..get moisturized and stay happier!
4. Hand Sanitizer and Dr. Teal’s Epsom Salt Soaking Solution
These gifts definitely went over better with the ladies. Especially the Epsom salt. Any friend that I’ve given the Epson salt to as a gift, they’ve continued to buy it! Of course, you gotta be bath lovers.
5. Chocolate
Would you believe these actually went over better with the men I worked with and supervised?! They were like giddy lil’ boys on Christmas morning seeing toys in their stocking from Santa Clause! I think it’s because women tend to already go to chocolate as a de-stressor and then feel guilty about eating it. Men, in my experience, act quite pumped after consuming it!
I could also add beer or wine to the list, but, I don’t encourage going to these items for self care and de-stressing. Instead, keep the alcohol for times of celebration. A motivating reward!
Cool Stories Bro’ – What Else Can I Do?
Naturally, the most important acts of self care are simplifying life and learning to prioritize. I for one feel better when I remove the clutter in my home and office. Of course, I’m going to always encourage one to embrace stress and care less. And try creating enough momentum in life to get you one small win that will offer a self of accomplishment when life is coming down on you too hard. Keep social, you may need people more than you realize and join a club such as Toastmasters where you can grow personally and professionally.
If you are truly unhappy with your job, it is too stressful and doesn’t match your stage in life, then beef up your resume! Put your thoughts into action and start getting yourself out there!
Get enough sleep and some fresh air while walking or other physical activity such as camping or hiking to get your earthing game on. Also, are you eating your fruits and veggies? Mix it up and turn them into smoothies! I drink 2 a day and am feeling pretty good!
But, when you can’t completely tune everything off, nor runaway from #adulting, then give yourself and others a self care de-stress gift box and see if you start feeling a little bit better!
Readers, what are your best self care and de-stress tips? Thanks in advance for participating!
I find I can tackle most anything if I am getting a good night sleep. Easier said than done when stressed. We practically took out a 2nd mortgage to buy a sleep number bed a couple years ago. It was one of the best investments we have ever made in self care. Tom
Tom! I am the same way…a good bed and pillow can be everything!
I’ve even become a sheets snob a lil’ bit…I never paid much attention years ago and just bought cheap sheets. But, I don’t like the cool or rough texture! I’m the kind of person that likes to hibernate with heavy blankets so bedding is just as important to me now too!
Thanks for stopping in and have a great weekend!
I like going on walks – outdoors, around the mall, in a park to relieve stress. It can be very relaxing and help me clear my mind.
SMM – those are great ways to relax and think through things. I used to be a runner – it was one of my fav way to get out of a funk!
Thank you for stopping in and have a great weekend!
Omgosh! Why didn’t I think of that?? Adult colouring books!! Does the kids coloring book work too? I’d much prefer Winnie the Pooh and other Disney characters! Lol jk!
But yeah, I can see why the adult coloring book works. Pretty soothing too.
I admit I indulge in the chocolate but only dark since I don’t like milk chocolate. They make me feel better only at the time eating but yes, I feel bad afterwards. My fiancé goes crazy for chocolate!! So I guess you’re right about how men react to chocolate lol… he’s more pumped than feeling like crap after consuming it… But even for me, as long as I get to run I’m ok with that… which reminds me… running is my kinda physical activity. That’s my #1 de-stressor! I swear it’s like a cure for me… I feel 10000% so much better after a jog… I can conquer the world again!! 😂.
Thanks for this post. I really need to practice more self care! ❤️
P.S. I hope Mr. DS is taking care of himself after those few days of stress at work! All the best!!
Panda!!
haha – I think Winnie the Pooh and Disney characters would be quite acceptable! You would win my toddler’s love over for sure and be the coolest person ever!
I’m pro dark chocolate as well. Mr. DS was a bad influence an introduced me to dipping it in peanut butter. Helllooo indulgence! And that’s my go to snack after a workout…a reward?? LOL!
I miss being able to run! That’s so awesome that’s your #1! Maybe someday I’ll get back into it again! Until then, I’ll just keep working on my strength training and walking when I can.
Thanks for the well wishes – Mr. DS may have had a glass or two of wine and went to bed early last night just to end his week!
Have an awesome rest of the weekend!
Thanks for sharing, Mrs. DS!
Damn…as a wine fan, I am currently sipping on a bottle of Pinot Noir as a de-stressor as I write this comment. But at least I keep wine mostly for the weekends. Funny about how the guys liked the chocolate. I’m kinda a big chocolate fan myself lol.
Similar to what Tom said, I find I need to get more sleep when I’m stressed. A good book in bed helps me de-stress. I also find that sometimes I just need my space. Just taking some time by myself to watch basketball helps me relax. Or just being in silence and spending some passive time online watching Youtube (sports commentary or self-help) clips. Cool idea with the gift box. Thanks for sharing!
RTC!
You weren’t drinking alone, Mr. DS was right there with ya (virtually!) and partaking in de-stressing and wine consuming last night, lol. He feels much better now too! We are Merlot fans and I recently got into a white wine that I like…oh my!
I think I hit the nail on the head with winning guys over with chocolate…they may deny they don’t like sweets, but they seem pretty darn happy after eating chocolate! lol!
You have some great de-stressing and relaxation activities…quiet time is so important too!
Thanks for stopping in and sharing your thoughts! Have a great rest of your weekend!
I just had about half a bar of dark chocolate today. Another thing that’s really important for self-care is to exercise for me. I get extremely irritable if I don’t get my workout in, even if it’s just 30 minutes three times a week. And I like to meditate too even if it’s just for 10 minutes. Sleep is so important as well especially when you have a baby who can be unpredictable about when they want to wake up to feed, as you know. If I had no baby I would be staying up until 1:00am to work on the blog but now it’s lights out at 11:30pm at the latest 🙂
Hey GYM!
MMM Hhmm! yay dark chocolate! Yes, exercise is so important for all aspects of health – and I think its awesome that you incorporate meditating into your day too! I am trying to be better and beginning everyday with gratitude!
And awesome job being disciplined about sleep! I was not as disciplined when I had a new baby and paid the piper! But eventually learned how to sleep on demand anytime to try and sneak some power naps in.
Thanks for stopping in and sharing your destressing tips! Have a great rest of your weekend!
It may sound weird bu I just get up at least 1/2 hour earlier than I need to in the morning and do whatever help me feel better about my day (planning, thinking…).
Chocolate or wine (depending on time of the day) helps too when I am very stressed.
Caroline you are not weird at all! One of my most favorite things is to get up while the world is still quiet, have some coffee and do any work I have on computer…blogging, budgeting, bills, lining up the week’s priorities, etc. I feel better too when I can plan my day and start it thinking things through!
Wine can start anytime in the pm hours, correct? Like 12:01pm?! 🙂
Of course!:)
My wife and I did our self care at 5:20 this morning, yes I know it was Saturday, yes I know we are early retired, by running eight miles in the dark with a few friends. I consider it self care because when it is over I’m so glad I don’t have to do it again for two days!
Steve! Ha! good reel-in….thought I was gonna have to put on the earmuffs and read through my fingers when you were talking about you and your wife’s early morning self care! LOL. Spose that could have been a good one for this list too but I was trying to keep it PG 😉
Impressive mileage! Ya’ll training for a marathon? I would not like to run in the dark, but, that would be better to be in a running group!
Thanks for stopping in and have a great day!
Great message Mrs Defined Sight – I try and remind myself of this often but can never hear it too much!
I’ve definitely tapped into my creative side with the kids these days – drawing and colouring, and the ideas the have for making things – such a fun way to unwind!
Running and golf were always a great one for me too, but I’ve been letting this slide recently…
And chocolate!! I would have been just like one of those guys at your work! (in fact, I AM one of those guys at my own work…)
Frankie!
Yes, if I ever need to simplify my life, I just pick up whatever my kid is working on and start on it too…going back to the basics of playtime is a great way to decompress!
Unfortunately Mr. DS used to golf too, ride motorcycle, fishing, & do other sports with guy friends, etc. But that does take a back seat when a kid comes along! We all go back to the basics of coloring and chocolate! 🙂
Thanks for stopping in and have a great day!
Great post! I find it is the small luxuries that make me happy. Scented oils and bath bombs for a hard day are the best :).
Thanks Olivia!
Yay another bath fan! Yes, the small luxuries are sometimes the best lil’ things that win me over too. Thank you for stopping in and have a great week!
Hi Mrs. DS,
They say all of us millennials are obsessed with wellness and self-care…like there’s something wrong with that! LOL. I think this is and should be a fundamental component of everyone’s life, no matter if you’re a full-time parent, blogger, or in the nine-to-five track …This is often overlooked, and I think especially by women who sometimes are taught (unfortunately) that they have to self-sacrifice and end up prioritizing others!! So, I’m all in for self-care.
My favorite de-stressors are: going for a massage once a month, a warm bath of lavender/chamomile Epsom salts, listening to an inspiring podcast in the shower (if I don’t have time for any of the other things), and finally, the easiest/simplest one: sip hot tea at bedtime and having a mini-massage with a scalp massager (that little wired thing that looks like and octopus with wired legs). If you don’t already own a scalp massager I really recommend it! 🙂
Lily!
Thank you so much for sharing your de-stressing best self-care tips!
I do not own a lil’ octopus scalp massager thingy! And it sounds like I am missing out! If you are using two hands for sipping your big tea mug, does that mean Miguel is on octopus scalp massaging duty??!! 🙂
Thank you for stopping in and have a great rest of your week!