While self-care is trending, let’s face it ladies, taking time out for ourselves is not on the top of our to-do list. Most of us don’t have 5 minutes alone to go to the bathroom, let alone time to exercise.
But here’s the thing, when we think of self-care most of us think about making time to exercise, taking a spa day, or scheduling an entire day to pamper ourselves.
While those things are good, there are some vital steps, we can take organically throughout the day. By doing this regularly, it will allow us to take care of our bodies, so we can take care of others.
Organically Practice Self – Care
Paul pleads with us in Romans 12 to honor God with our bodies after all God has done for us.
“And so, dear brothers and sisters,I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.” ~ Romans 12:1 (NLT)
Although I love to go for walks, bike ride, fascia blast and stretch, there are 5 ways we can practice self-care organically on a daily basis.
Self-Care Tip #1
Eat – yes, eat girl. How many times are we so much on the go, that we don’t have time to eat, we forget to eat, or think we will be ok.
We will not be ok. Our body needs food to give us energy. When we deny ourselves food, our body will feed off itself.
In other words, if you have a lot to do, you need to eat!
Self-Care Tip #2
Drink Water – drinking water is vital for our bodies. Beyond keeping us hydrated, water helps our complexion, flushes out toxins, improves our brain functions and cushions our joints.
If you’re feeling convicted to increase your water intake, be mindful about how much you drink.
It’s been said to drink 8 glasses of water a day. Well, that may be too much or too little for some. Think about your little toddler. Could you imagine a 2 year old drinking 64oz of water a day?
Our doctors have told us to drink half our body weight. So if you weigh 100 pounds, you should only drink about 50 ounces of water a day.
Self-Care Tip #3
Sleep – Purpose to go to bed at a decent time that allows you 6 to 8 hours of sleep. I get it. There are times we can’t sleep or we have projects due that keep us up. But that should be the exception on occasion, not the norm.
Sleep affects every part of our body and our mind. Getting enough sleep allows our bodies to heal and repair cells to rejuvenate us and improve our brain function with higher cognitive function, allowing us to think more clearly.
Self-Care Tip #4
Practice Deep Breathing – deep breathing is our bodies natural way of remaining in a calm state when feeling stressed or anxious.
According to the Mayo Clinic deep breathing can; lower blood pressure, slow our heart rate, and decrease stress on our bodies and minds.
Deep breathing is something my mentor taught me. She encouraged me to take 3 deep breaths several times a day.
To do this, you breathe in through your nose, holding it for 2 seconds. Then breathe out through your mouth – counting 4 seconds.
Self-Care Tip #5
Avoid Overcommitting – do your best to keep a balanced schedule. When we overcommit, we bring ourselves stress, causing us to run on fumes.
As a result, we won’t eat or even drink water. Then we’re up all night, trying to catch up on what we should’ve done because we overcommitted ourselves.
In The End
As simple as these vital steps are, how many of us are guilty of skipping these throughout our day?
In the midst of all we have to do, the reality is, it really won’t matter if any of those things get done if we are not here.
Therefore, we must purpose to find ways to care of our bodies, the very temple where the Holy Spirit lives in us.
“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” ~ 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT)
Keeping things simple sets us up for success. However, if self-care isn’t something you’re used to, don’t try to do too much.
Focus on what you can do organically throughout the day. Then as you become accustomed to taking care of you, add more self-care to your routine, including a personal retreat.
This may take some getting used to, but the sooner we realize taking care of ourselves is an act of worship to God, the more balanced, relaxed, and productive we will become.
~ Timberley
Love it, great tips. I have reminder set for the first four of the five. I’ve been doing pretty good with honoring myself for number five as well.
Yes sister avoiding overcommitting is real! But you have been on a great journey of self-reflection and I know you are purposing to live a balanced life. Thank you for stopping by to read. ~ Timberley