fulfilling life that aligns with your spirit
7 Guilt Free Self Care Areas to Improve Your Life
Published on 15 Aug 2009 at 11:36 am.
2 Comments.
Filed under Business Development,Feature Articles,Personal Development Strategies,Spirituality & Inspiration.
In my last article post, Guilt Free Self Care, I talked about creating a new definition for being “self -ish ” in the very best positive context of self-love and value.Â
Let’s look at 7 areas of your life that could benefit from more TLC:
1. Negative stress. Where is your attention focused? What’s zapping your energy? If total elimination of all negative stress feels impossible, stress reduction is the next step. Consider how you might be contributing to your stress levels. Without realizing it, you might be creating more angst and drama by overcomplicating things and making life situations bigger than they need to be. One way we add more stress is by imagining worse case scenarios, problems, and what ifs.
Suggestions:
- Make a list of 10 promises you have made to others that are causing you stress, even if it’s stress you can handle. Reconsider those promises and give yourself permission to change your mind including offering alternatives that might be more aligned with who you are and what you can realistically say yes to. Sometimes we make promises because we fear other people’s reactions rather than to do what is right and best for us. Also, re-evaluate any promises you have made to yourself. Are you keeping them or breaking your word to YOU? Ouch!
- Identify the top three sources of negative stress and create a plan to decrease or eliminate them completely. If one of those sources is a financial burden and you have been struggling to manage it alone, get help. You can’t afford not to!
- Delegate things that need to be handled. Know what your strengths are. Install support systems to do for you what you can’t, won’t, or don’t do for yourself.
- Are you saying yes to people and things when you really need to say no? On the flip side, are you saying no to the people and things that would enhance your life quality?
- Take frequent breaks throughout the day for 10-15 minutes about every three hours
- Our mind continually cycles through past, present, and future thinking. Practice conscious breathing and come back into NOW.
- Resolve past conflicts.
- Deal with anything you’ve been avoiding.
Make your own list.
For additional ideas on what might be stressing you, check out my post on 7 Reasons Why You Might Not Be in The Flow and scroll down to #4.
2. Environment. Does your physical environment provide comfort? Do you feel energized or is it draining? If you have a home-based business, your office and home can be energizing or depleting. Creating an environment that includes sacred spaces to feed your spirit, nurture you during high stress periods, and provide a sanctuary -like safe haven for you to unwind makes a huge difference in life quality.
Suggestions:
- Revamp your home to be more restful and nurturing. Small changes can make a huge impact if you are on a budget. Rearrange furniture, add colorful pillow and plants, or paint.
- If you don’t like something, fix it, change it, or toss it.
- Create a clutter free environment in and around your house. Clutter zaps energy and blocks flow. If you have a lot of stuff, start with small areas and work your way through it by taking 30 minutes to an hour per day. Invite friends to help you and make it a party!
- Bring in a professional organizer for ideas to make your home space work better
- Have a friend who has a great eye and knack for creating warm and inviting home spaces? Ask for help.
Make your own list
For additional insights read my article on Creating a Success Setting EnvironmentÂ
3. Pleasure. What delights you and brings you joy? What activities nurture you the most? Make a list of the things that bring you the most pleasure mentally, physically, and spiritually and add them into your life. Include things that titillate your senses and pamper you!
Suggestions:
- Burn candles or play music to create a soothing ambiance.
- Spend a day at the spa for super pampering. Or, how about scheduling a fabulous hot-stone massage?
- Walk in nature or work in your garden.
- Cultural events like going to the theater, opera, or the ballet.
- Chill out with a good book.
- Sleep in a good bed with a quality comforter, feather bed, and high-thread count sheets. How luxurious!
- Have a special meal with your favorite foods (without overindulging so you feel bad!)
- Buy yourself a fabulous bouquet of flowers.
- Have a romantic evening with your special someone.
These are my faves. I could go on and on here…..
Make your own list
4. Well-being. What helps you feel centered and at peace? What activities contribute to your being at your best and feeling good? Commit to rituals of extreme self-care as a daily process, not a one-time program, to support greater life balance.
Suggestions:
- Identify your self-nurturing rituals and implement as many as you can each day. Meditation, yoga, inspirational reading, guided imagery, or burning incense are ways to connect with your spiritual center. I encourage people to take time every morning for spiritual practices before beginning work.Â
- While holding a strong vision for the future, the only moment you have is NOW. Practice living in the moment.
- Cultivate your connection with God/Higher/Source. Daily spiritual practices will help you to access Divine guidance, intuition, and instincts inspired by love rather than motivated by fear.
- Begin a gratitude journal and appreciate all the blessings, gifts and miracles in your life.
- Set boundaries for yourself with others.
- Are there some things you always wanted to learn because they looked like fun? Take some classes.
- Forgive yourself for any judgments or upset you are holding.
Make your own list
5. Support and experts. Self-care is enhanced by the investment you make in all areas of your life, including enlisting the service of experts.
Suggestions
- Hire a personal coach who has a track record of helping others create work/life balance
- Work with a chiropractor, energy or other bodywork specialist knowledgeable in healing modalities
- Participate in programs and activities that enhance the quality of your life with professionals you trust and respect
- Surround yourself with healthy people who are loving and respectful. Build a community of friends, colleagues, and experts who lift you up.Â
- Schedule time for your personal growth. Set aside time in your calendar daily, several times a week or on specific days for introspection, healing, and spiritual evolution.
- Socialize regularly so you don’t become too isolated, especially if you work from home.
Make your own list
6. Ingestion. What you put into your body affects your energy, behavior, concentration, mood, sleep and overall well-being. Have you been overindulging or abusing your body by not treating it as the temple it is. When health is compromised, quality of life suffers. How you physically feel affects everything you do or don’t do as well as how we show up.
Suggestions:
- Drink 8 or more glasses of quality water each day
- Practice tuning in to what you body needs and wants. Then do it!
- Eliminate caffeine and decrease/eliminate sugar. Watch your alcohol intake too!
- Eat more healthfully and treat your body lovingly by choosing fresh fruits and veggies, organic food wherever possible. Decrease or eliminate processed food. The long term investment in quality food pays big dividends.
- Incorporate regular exercise that includes cardio and strength training. Buddy up with a friend, coach, or close colleague for additional support and accountability.
- Are you working too late? Re-arrange your day so you are getting enough rest to be at your best.
Make your own list.
7. Appearance. When you look at yourself, do you like what you see? When we look and feel good about ourselves, motivation and inspiration naturally flows. And we can feel fabulous in a pair of sweats or dressed to the nines. Our inner joy and glow shines through.
- Toss every single article of clothing that does do make you look and feel great.
- Prioritize your hygiene. (When we get stressed or frustrated with ourself, we can fall into self-neglect!)
- Treat yourself to facials, manicures/pedicures etc.
- Compliment yourself in your head or out loud. Become your own cheerleader.
- Be loving towards your body. Thank your body for all the ways it shows up for you.
Make your own list
If you know you have a stressfull period coming up, create your self-care plan in advance. One of my clients travels around the country teaching seminars. Exercise and healthy eating is a priority for her. She often brings some snacks along and stays in locations that have a gym so she can get a good workout before her presentations. When she comes home, she leaves a full day open without appointments so she can catch her breath and get caught up with her business. Â
Saying YES to taking great care of you is a daily commitment. Tuning in throughout the day will help you tap in to what you might need to be at your best. Be willing to stop, take several breaths, feel into your body, and ask, “What do I need right now?” and then do it to the best of your ability. If what you need can’t be handled in that moment, commit to responding to your needs as fast as possible. Make YOU a priority. Â
When you are out of whack, every area of your life is affected including your business! Cultivate self-care as a natural behavior for you, not a temporary effort that keeps you and your life running well, happy, and abundant.Â
You are worth it!
Cheers,
Lorraine
www.isayyesnow.com Â
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Margaret on 2 Mar 2010 at 10:33 pm: 1
Very nice. Gives me nice reminders and even though I see much information on self care, I like to see others take on the information.
lorraine on 3 Mar 2010 at 8:45 am: 2
Hi Margaret,
I think self-care is an area that often is negelected despite knowing how important it is to sustain our health, energy, and prosperity. Prioritizing self-care is an expression of self-love.