The Oxford’s dictionary defines self-care as the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s health. Also described as the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress. Y’all know, self-care is important, because you only have one you!
I will admit, I haven’t been the best in providing self-care for myself in past years and even in recent years. As I become more mature, I realize it’s a necessity, because 1) these hormonal changes are screaming for it, 2) stress is known to cause illness and 3) I’d like to prolong my life, by taking better care of me.
As wives, mothers, friends, colleagues and caregivers, we tend to be the last on our list to care for ourselves. Can I get an amen?
I’ll never forget my mother telling me during the last years of her life, “you can’t do it all, Julie.” Her words came as a warning to me, as she saw many of the habits she learned, had manifested in me as a young wife and mother. My mother knew firsthand, the consequences of taking on, what I’ll call for the sake of this post, the “Superwoman Syndrome”. Actually the term was first coined in 1984, and is described, “when a woman neglects herself because she is seeking to “do it all” to perfection and stretching herself too thin.”
How many of us still care for others when we are sick, tired, and burned out? What makes us believe that we aren’t worthy of rest and rejuvenation? Or that we can handle the physical, emotional and psychological brunt of everybody’s whatever? The truth of the matter is, our bodies crave renewal and relaxation.
If you choose not to care for yourself (mind, body and soul), the effects may manifest in other ways such as mood swings, irritability, anger, illness, depression, sadness, hopelessness, etc.
See my 11 favorite avenues to self-care below:
11 Avenues to Self-Care
Prayer and Meditation
Exercise
Clean Eating
Dancing
Intimacy
Laughter
Me Time
Date Nights
Travel
Girl’s Day Out or Night Out
Music
What are your favorite self-care activities?
Take care of yourselves, lovelies! Because you’ve only got one you!
“Self-care is so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit,
it allows you to serve others from the overflow.
You cannot serve from an empty vessel.”
Until next time, love and light.
Julie
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