Putting the Care back in your self-care

If you are one of the many dealing with a chronic health condition (pssssst: anxiety and depression count too), self-care is a must. But it can be so confusing, not to mention time and energy consuming to know what to do, when to do it, and why. The things that are meant to be making you feel better can actually cause you a ton of stress (not what we want with chronic illness)! I have thought about this a lot and realized something big is missing in the self-care culture...the HOW.

In the mad rush to self-care ourselves to health, we have missed a or possibly the most important part- intention. In most instances I see people bound and determined to diligently practice their self-care. They are doing everything "right," but can still be dragging, or if not dragging, resentful because half of the day is spent trying to fit everything in.
 
Think of when you were sick as a child and someone cared for you. Or if that didn't happen for you, you can think of when you cared for someone who was sick (maybe a spouse of a child). Do you remember the feeling of receiving or giving that care? There was something extra besides just offering tea or medicine. It was presence, concern, a response to what was needed in that exact moment- maybe an extra pillow, tissues, a rub on the back.

In our best intentions to do self-care we are missing this. It has become another thing on the "to-do" list rather than a genuine living breathing intention of care. So how can you make self-care more alive?


3 Simple Ways to Bring New Life Back to Your Self-Care:

1. Try incorporating a self-compassion meditation into your daily routine. This type of meditation is called Metta. In traditional Metta meditation, you first offer well wishes to yourself, then you expand out to offer these wishes to loved ones, and then expand out to offer these wishes to all beings. But for the purpose of bringing care back into your self-care practice, I encourage you to just do the first part, offering yourself well wishes.

To do the self-compassion meditation:
Sit comfortably. Bring your attention to your heart center. You may say out loud or silently:

"May I be happy. May I be peaceful. May I be well. May I be free."

Feel that energy permeate your heart and whole being. It only needs to be about 5 minutes. Try this consistently for a week and see if your self-care feels a bit different.

2. Consider creating a mantra for your self-care that you can say before you do it. It may be something simple like, "I offer this to myself in loving care." Or it may be specific to the practice, "Shakes bring yum to my tum!" Just make a point to bring a loving intention to it.

3. Mix it up. Self-care can get really boring- and not just for your mind. Your body and spirit can get tired of the same old, same old. You need to keep things fresh so that inspiring life energy can be in on the process. It is this energy that heals. If you are taking supplements that don't seem to be doing too much, switch it up. Find a new place to walk for your daily exercise. It doesn't have to be a complete re-haul, in fact it probably shouldn't be considering healing takes time. You just have to freshen it up. Think more along the lines of getting a new mousse for your hair rather than a mohawk!

I hope something in these words inspired you. Please reach out if you have any questions about this or need any other ideas (I've got a ton!)

Until next time.

Katy