Self-Care is Health Care
I know we are heading into that crazy time of the year. Holiday season. So I wanted to make sure that if you are the type of person who starts to let your self-care habits slip away don’t. You need them now more than ever! If you are they type of person who doesn’t even have a self-care routine than now is the time to start. Seriously! No time like the present. So whether you need the reminder to keep up your self-care or you are wondering how to start a self-care routine that sticks…read on.
We hear all the time that once you have kids your world changes, you change, you know longer think only of yourself and your kids always come first. Yes, while all this is true and - as a mother of two I have seen these changes take place right before my eyes - I am a firm believer that I have to put myself first the majority of the time to be the best mother I can be.
Now don’t get me wrong: I didn’t always believe that putting myself first was the right way to be a mom, nor did I believe it was even possible to put myself first after my first baby. Honestly, it took me about 18 months to even leave my son at home with my husband while I went out with husband, and it took even longer for me to be OK with taking time for myself. The truth is we often give into the mom guilt that if we aren’t putting our children’s needs before our own, we aren’t being a good mom. But my truth is that I have been Ali for a lot longer than I have been mom, and by not nurturing Ali first, I didn’t have all I needed to nurture my children. Our cups have to be full if we want to be able to fill others. Of course, I have changed and I’m not quite the same free spirit I was after I graduated. I do weigh the options a little bit longer before I buy that pair of Sorel boots than I would have prior to having kids. I also plan trips and fun outings base on what my kids will enjoy, but there are plenty of Ali-approved things in my life as well.
My secret…self-care. My mantra…self-care is healthcare. I know that if I am not happy and feeling filled, I can not be the mom, wife, friend, doctor, daughter, sister, etc. that I want to be. Now self-care is different for everyone. It can be a day at the spa, a quiet dinner alone, or let’s be real, sometimes 5 minutes alone to sit on the potty without interruptions. I’m not here to tell you what to do for self-care…but maybe give you tips on how to start your own journey. So, if self-care sounds like something you need (and believe me YOU DO NEED IT) then read below for 4 simple steps to self-care…even through the crazy holiday season.
Dr. Ali’s Easy-to-Follow Self-care Hacks:
Schedule time for yourself: Sounds simple right? It is! Put it on your calendar now and share it. Share it with your partner, friend, mom, kids, whomever. Make it known that Saturday at 1pm that you are blocking out an hour, two hours, whatever feels right—- for yourself, no exceptions.
Find out what self-care is for you: Make a list. Write down as many things that you can think of that feel like self-care. I’ll get you started…taking a walk, meditating, writing in a journal, reading a book, getting a massage, working out, taking a bath, visiting your chiropractor…the sky is the limit. There are no wrong answers for this.
From the list, pick three things that you can commit too: Now remember that Saturday at 1pm you put on your calendar and told everyone about? Pick one of those three things and do it. If you blocked off enough time do all three.
Repeat. Over and over again until it feels like a natural part of life: Seems simple, but simple is where it all starts. Once you master steps one through four, you’ll feel more like yourself, I promise. And from there, balance in this crazy life will fee more attainable.
So as the holiday season approaches, start it off with time for you and always put yourself first. You deserve it more than anyone I know!!