Sharetools

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

5 Self-care Skills You Need to Know

Self-care Tips and Ideas at Colors 4 Health


Are you on mental overload, and have worries or fear? When you feel overwhelmed, it can prevent you from enjoying each day, diminishes creativity, and saps the energy out of what you do. 

Updated 4/19/2023

I know from past experience, some days it's hard for me to maintain optimism, when I don’t even want to roll out of bed.

That's why I suggest to restore a positive outlook in a world that may seem to be filled with problems and negative hype, challenge yourself.

The 5 self-care skills I describe—have proven to be emotional/mental health lifesavers, and are well worth the effort to implement.

Establishing a daily routine helps reduce anxiety, improves self-confidence, and helps us get back on track.

Take it from me, just as a workout routine helps our physical health, daily self-care helps calm chaotic thoughts, reminds us of daily goals, and creates compassionate feelings for ourselves and others. 

5  Self-care Skills You Need to Know
๐Ÿ’—


1. Start the morning in a meditative way, because it sets the tone for the day. Make it a priority to start off easily and fluidly.

For example, my biological clock wakes me without an alarm, so I’m not jolted out of bed. I take a few moments to stretch my body through yoga and get my blood moving. Then I spend quiet time in prayer, meditation, or journal writing. 


I may read a spiritual book, say affirmations, or explore a color-visualization as well. Each inspires and encourages me. 

Note: I choose to use no electronic equipment for prayer, meditation, asanas (yoga poses), and journal writing. I prefer to connect with my higher wisdom and check in with myself in a minimalist way. 

If you like an app for yoga, meditation, prayer or other meditative routine, go for it. For me electronic equipment early in the day (5 am) just stirs me up and makes me tempted to text, look at email, or get sidetracked and go on a social media frenzy.

After I eat a nourishing breakfast, wash and brush, and spend a few moments to straighten up my home (make the bed, and chop up a salad for lunch, etc.), I get to work.

When I keep self-care routines simple, I feel more grounded in my body, mind, and spirit. 

Then, I set an intention for my day to be mindful and loving. This allows me to be responsible for my own happiness, and releases my "ego's need" to strive for results. 


2. Understand a Positive Attitude is Key. Be kind, present, self-caring, and nonjudgmental with yourself and others as you go through your daily activities. 

Full consciousness tends to reduce negativity, fear, and confusion. In addition, a no-attachment view of how people, things, and places need to be, reduces anxiety, worry, uncertainty, and creates greater compassion.


Tips and Ideas for Self-care at Colors 4 Health


3. Eat more fruits and veggies. Reserve time to prepare and eat healthy food. It’s a great way to practice self-care throughout the day. 

Top nutrition minds advise us to eat a variety of at least 5 to 9 servings of color-rich vegetables, legumes, beans, nuts, seeds, and fruit a day. 

Brightly colored low-fat plant-based whole foods aren't just visually appealing. Fruits and veggies are nature's way of highlighting a broad range of nutrients that boost health. 

In its original state, each vegetable or fruit is low in saturated fat, pleasing to the palette, filling, and doesn't make us feel overstuffed or sluggish. Research indicates eating whole food plant-based foods elevates mood and productivity. 

4. Include fun activities or periods of non-doing into your routine. Try this. Wear pink to brighten your complexion, warm your heart, feel love, or when you sense a need to nurture yourself. 




Ask yourself… what things make me feel happy and part of the human race? Partake of those sports, clubs, religious or spiritual groups, social activities, or hobbies you  enjoy as often as you can. 

Nap time, real rest, and little breaks from work breathes space into your life. Pausing to kick back and relax, makes you feel more motivated and industrious, when you get back to tasks. 

Relaxation also elevates overall well-being. See How to Use Flowers and Plants to Increase Wellness for additional fun ideas.

5. Strengthen your self-care routine by connecting to your inner life. What you say, think, or feel about yourself, has an impact on how well you treat yourself. 

Journal writing raises self-awareness, and helps you understand your reasoning, vulnerabilities, and strengths. 


Journal Write for Self-care


Focusing on your talents and skills increases feelings of self-worth. Read Tips to Help You Keep a Success Journal and Soar at Business and Life!

The work you do on yourself has a ripple effect. It influences how smoothly you interact with others. Come into your power by owning your worthiness to be happy.


๐Ÿ’– 

Use affirmations, mantras, or other positive outlets like combining shower power with affirmations. Putting these skills into practice is a simple way to shift energy from negative to positive. 

"When you develop healthy self-care habits, you put money in the upbeat bank. That pays off in feel-good vibes." Nancy Andres๐Ÿ’—




Sometimes self-care is not enough. If you're experiencing life burnout, check out this article that lists symptoms, and seek professional help.

Get treatment if you're dealing with addictions, financial problems, or other serious behavioral/health issues. Elizabeth Hartney, PhD states, “Most addictions have a serious impact on finances. In fact, financial problems are cited as a possible symptom of addiction for substance dependence and compulsive gambling.”

Most of us haven’t totally thrown self-care out the window. My experience and most probably yours too, shows that we function best when we take good care of ourselves. 

I wish you abundance and joy each day, and encourage you to use self-care skills to make your health and happiness a lifestyle priority.


Please comment below and/or answer one of the questions that follows:

What self-care techniques work best for you and why? 

When you feel in a rut, how do you restore optimism? 

One way I do this is to walk in nature or meet a friend for lunch. 

What self-care practices are you willing to try? 

Any I haven’t mentioned that work for you?

I welcome comments, questions, and feedback in the comments section below. 

Please don't put links in your comments, as they won't be published that way.

Thanks for understanding.

Before you go I'd love to share a few links with you...








This post has been shared at #TFT 605

This post has been shared at Talent-Sharing Tuesdays Link-Up 61

This post has been shared at midlife-share-love-party-124

This post has been shared at traffic-jam-weekend-linky-party-186 

This post has been shared at simple-homestead-blog-hop-181

This post has been shared at Friendship Friday Blog Hop 352

This post has been shared at traffic-jam-weekend-linky-party-167

This post has been shared at Words on Wednesday

This post has been shared at Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop


This post has been shared at You're The Star - Family Feature Week






20 comments:

  1. Morning prayer is the best thing I do each day. He is how I manage to get through my day. I need to work on self-affirmations a bit more, but for the most part, the rest have become a natural part of my lifestyle. Great post, Nancy!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Julie aka The Farm Wife for the visit and comment. I hear you when you write, "morning prayer is the best thing I do each day, and the rest of the self-care practices have become a natural part of my lifestyle." Keep up the good work and have a beautiful day.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Prayer is also how I make it. Also, I no longer feel guilty about getting a little nap in the mid afternoon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks helen for the visit and comment. Self-care can take so many shapes and forms. Good you put down the guilt about naps. Wish you many pleasant naps, and rest assured... rest is so important to good health.

      Delete
  4. Great suggestions, Nancy. I start every day (well, as many as I can) with a healthy morning routine including devotions and prayer, then some light exercise. It is so helpful and gets my day going in a positive direction. Thanks for sharing this with us. #MLSTL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Candi for the visit and comment. I commend you on the great job you do both with self-care and educating others.Happy to share with you at #MLSTL.

      Delete
  5. Hi! Thanks for a great post. I came over from MLSTL and enjoyed reading your ideas. I love my meditation and veggies ;)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks Anne for the visit and comment. Wishing you a blissful day.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great tips, Nancy. I find a reflective morning routine makes a huge difference for the way my day goes. And I love the idea of working joyful activities into your day. Self-care is so important always--but especially in this day and age.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Christie for your thoughtful comments. Appreciate the visit and wish you a beautiful weekend.

      Delete
  8. I'm very much in favour of including self-care in our lives Nancy and you have provided some great suggestions. My philosophy is to try to start your day well. It sets you up for the day to take 5 minutes of meditation and gratitude. Thanks for sharing at #MLSTL. x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sue for your comment and hosting #MLSTL. Starting the day well is a great foundation for happiness. Have a great weekend and stay safe and well.

      Delete
  9. I love all of these tips Nancy - I'm a great believer in filling our minds with positivity and calm - it flows over into everything else in day - and keeps me on track. A lot of our experience is coloured by the attitude we have isn't it?
    #MLSTL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're so right Leanne; A lot of our experience is colored by the attitude we have. Thanks for hosting #MLSTL and habve a great weekend.

      Delete
  10. Self care has never been more important than it is today! We all need to find ways to take better care of ourselves in the day of Covid 19. I like the idea of starting the day in a meditative manner. I try to do this when I wake up each day but it's not always ease with the pace of the world. Your post is a good reminder to focus on ourselves.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for your comment and visit. Wishing you a healthy, happy weekend.

      Delete
  11. These are excellent and actionable tips for exercising self care. Thank you for sharing this post in the Talent-Sharing Tuesdays Link-Up 61.
    Carol
    www.scribblingboomer.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Very interesting how electronics have become staples in our lives. I like that as part of self care, No electronics are allowed in your morning routine and devotional. Meditating without my sounds though is the hard one for me. Thanks for sharing with us at the #SSPS

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hear you Julie and you're not alone. Many people find it challenging to wean themselves of electronics for even a short period of time. It's been my experience that any habit can be replaced by a healthier one if I willing to do the footwork one day at a time. Wishing you a marvelous day and great weekend.

      Delete