This week we have a guest blogger @ARoseEssentials to give you some great tips on self care and making through your work week!
As I sit here at work, doing multiple jobs at once. Tired, over-worked, always striving and never having a true ‘day off’, I realize just how important it is to practice self-care. Besides work, we have other obligations and responsibilities that take up our time and may leave us with little time to for self-care. Before you know it, you’re having a breakdown out of the blue. The human body is so well-equipped that it sends you signals that you need to take time for yourself. It may come in the form of a breakdown or an illness that forces you to stay put for a while so that you can heal and rest. Well, you shouldn’t run yourself into the ground and wait to breakdown before you start to focus on self-care. Here are a few (FREE!) things you can do to keep yourself centered, balanced, focused and most importantly, healthy.
- Writing: Please never underestimate how therapeutic it is to write down how you’re feeling. It can be a plain notebook or a beautifully packaged journal (I just purchased a hand-made moleskin journal wrapped in marbled paper from @_papel_ on instagram). I prefer nice journals because they’re inviting and makes you open up to scribe. There isn’t a certain method or writing guideline you have to follow. Just write what is on your heart. Whether you’re frustrated or happy, pencil it all in. I also use my journal to manifest what I need out of life. In my current journal, the very first page I wrote down a few things that I wanted to achieve. An exact year later, those goals came to life. That’s also another benefit to journaling. You go back and read prior entries for self-reflection. You have the ability to evaluate your growth and how you’re progressing. So pick up a journal and write your first entry today!
- Friends & Nature: I know it sounds a little odd but hear me out. Have you ever had a bad day and then a friend randomly calls you and you end up laughing on the phone for a few hours? We all know the benefits of laughter. Combine that with good companionship and a little vitamin D. Call up a (positive) friend and schedule a walk to go grab coffee, hiking, etc. As long as it is outside. Connecting with nature is vital to self-care and doesn’t take much effort at all. I’m not asking you to go hug a tree (even though it has a TON of benefits to do so!). Simply expose yourself to the elements and breathe easy. It’s an added benefit if a friend joins you.
- Yoga: What if I told you that you don’t have to be flexible or pay for a class to do yoga? Pull up a You Tube video in the comfort of your own home and get to work! I know there’s a population of people that may not like yoga very much, but I’m sure those same people will LOVE the benefits that it brings when done properly. I’m going to list a ton of benefits in hopes that it will force you to try it.
- Helps you focus
- Lowers anxiety
- Calms and restores your parasympathetic nervous system
- Sleep deeper
- Boosts your immune system functionality
- Increases blood flow to intestines
- Lower stress levels
- Helps with digestive issues
- Improves posture
- Eases pain
- Protects spine
- Builds awareness for transformation
- Prevents cartilage and joint breakdown
- Builds muscle strength
Photo via motionfitness.co.za
Here’s a tip to get you started. The most important part of yoga is remembering to breathe deeply. Through each posture, breathe in for 8 seconds through your nose, release for 8 seconds through your mouth. And then just do your best!
I hope these tips help you as much as it has helped me. Good luck!
You can find and follow Angelic Below!
@AngelicRoseEssentials (Insta)
@ARoseEssentials (Twitter)
iamstylingonyou. 