Productivity | Dream Plan Smile

We have been put to the test in terms of self-care, compassion, and learning mindfulness and self-care skills to get ourselves through difficult times. After the spiritual, emotional, and in some cases physical turmoil of 2020, a fresh start is exactly what we all need. We know times have been hard on many people throughout the pandemic, emotionally, physically, and spiritually alike. It is a time to make self-care a regular part of our routine, and implementing a Self-Care Sunday Routine is a great place to start. What is Self-Care Sunday? Self Care Sunday is one day a week to get very intentional about physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual self-care. Most popular self-care routines incorporate aesthetic elements such as facials, massages, and salon visits. Self Care Sunday can and should incorporate elements of emotional, psychological, and spiritual self-care. Disconnecting from technology to meditate, make a plan for the upcoming week are also forms of self-care. Keep reading to learn Self Care Strategies to make it through the week. A Holistic Approach to Self Care Listen, I know how easy it can be to associate the term “self-care” with materialistic desires or surface fixes. Hey, I get it, I love a good mani-pedi from time to time. There’s nothing wrong with having your self-care routine include some shopping or aesthetic pleasures. Though for the purposes of this article we want to dig deeper into what self-care means for your spirit. Learning to get in tune with yourself and care for your emotions and psychological health is a different venture and one that will be much better in the long-term if you learn how to do it now. Emotional Self-Care to Tackle Stress One of the primary components of living a more holistic life is learning to manage your stress levels in healthy ways. While it is the societal norm to cope with our stress by overindulging on material items, junk food, alcohol, and other empty commodities, a holistic life has the opposite approach. Managing stress with a holistic approach includes (but is certainly not limited to) the following coping strategies: Gentle yoga practiceMeditationJournaling emotions, affirmations, goals, and eventsDisconnecting from the internet for periods of timeGetting outdoorsReading Make a Plan to Eat Clean as a form of Self-Care The fuel we put into our body affects everything else. It dictates our energy levels and mood, how well we sleep, our weight, our cognitive function, and how healthy our skin is. Be sure to get your daily dose of leafy green vegetables, some fruits, and lean protein. Fatty fish is also excellent for brain health as they are high in omega-3 fatty acids. Make it a priority to eat clean, and cook whenever possible. When you prepare your own food not only are you nourishing your body by being aware of everything you cook, you are also nourishing your soul by taking the time to prepare a meal for yourself. It’s an act of self-love, and one we encourage. Psychological Self Care: Disconect and Refocus Use Self-Care Sunday to Make the best of the week ahead Knowing how to properly manage our time plays a critical role in our stress factors. When we do not know how to say no, we overcommit ourselves, stretch our energy too thin, and eventually crash. If you have trouble learning how to prioritize your time, you need to take a moment to sit back and reflect on your values. Once you know your values, you can better place and reinforce your boundaries to protect your energy. Meditate The beauty of meditation is that anyone can do it. You don’t need to be an expert or have any equipment, that is all up to preference but not necessary in order to practice and reap the benefits. If you are new to meditation and looking for a little bit of guidance, there are two popular apps that I would highly recommend. Try out either Calm or Headspace. Each has guided meditations as short as 5-10minutes, and a library of series based on a variety of emotions. Taking the time to meditate at least once a day will raise your self-awareness. When we are more in tune with ourselves, we can better catch our emotions before they overwhelm and control us. We will also be able to separate ourselves from our thoughts instead of getting caught up in them. This skill is imperative to increasing your spiritual health and vibration. Disconnect Take some time each day to completely disconnect from the world of the internet. Get off social media apps. Do not text. Do not look at your emails. Don’t surf the internet or YouTube. Give your brain a little break from the inundation of information and sit with yourself. This is a great way to allow your mind to unwind and is especially helpful before bed. As mentioned above in stress management, this time is particularly useful for going on a walk, reading a book, or catching up with a friend in person. If your job heavily relies on the internet as most do now, then prioritize one or two days a week (the weekend, if you can) where you are rarely if ever on your devices. Taking the time to unplug will not only allow you a break, but it will also have your mind fresher when you come back to your work. PRIORITIZE YOUR WELLNESS on Self Care Sunday Taking the time to get in touch with ourselves will benefit all areas of our lives. We will notice improved health, more restful sleep, better moods, better work performance, and happier relationships. We can’t be there for anyone else if we are not first there for ourselves. Once you begin to commit to taking care of yourself, you will be able to be there for others in a way unlike before. Your mind, body, and spirit will thank you.