Part 3: Self-Care

I always wanted to do a detox cleanse. So I would like to try and start the 21-day liver detox cleanse.  I am really bad about drinking water so I definitely want to be better about drinking more water daily. 

Some practices that I can do each week are walking slowly for 20 mins, take a hot shower, and exercise. When it is nice out, I will take in the sun anytime of the day. It releases stress and puts me in a good mood.

I have been doing yoga 3-4 times a week.  It is wonderful and it makes my mind and body feel calm and healthy.  Getting out in nature is a goal of mine, even a walk around the block.  I don't do it as much as I should and with the new year coming, my goal is to do it daily, even if it is just around the block after having dinner.  I know that it is good for me, I just need to make it a habit.  I do morning breathing since I met with a health practitioner in September.  I added a couple side bend and yoga stretches to that.  I'm still sitting in my bed and getting started with my day.  It is a nice way to breathe it a new day.  As a single woman who is also now an empty nester, I do make sure that I get out to socialize.  Very important for my mental health. With the new year, I would like to get back into sewing.  Most of my house projects are done until April/ May so I'm hoping to start that back up.  One thing at a time though.  

So, I actually just started going to a gym 4 days a week. I also have 4 cats and a dog, so most evenings, one of them lays on my lap and I pet them, actually just feeling the stress go away from me and my cat! At least once a month to every 6 weeks, I get a manicure and or pedicure. In the beginning I was made to feel selfish, but now, it is my time to be alone and destress! 
I love going to a book store! I could be there for hours and not buy a thing. One thing I would like to start doing is to take 5 minutes in the morning to just sit and or meditate before I start the day. This and my cat I hope to be a daily staple. 

1. I think taking a break now and then to lie on the floor and meditate during the day may be a good practice to implement!

2. I try to take at least one walk with my dog every day mostly because they enjoy it but it also helps me clear my mind and be in the present moment.

1. I love to give my feet Epsom salt baths!
2. I love discovering new music and playing it loud!

I try to take a walk with my dog everyday that weather permits. It makes him so happy. We both need the exercise and it forces me to relax, breathe fresh air and I can just take time for myself.
I am a night owl, but a few times a week, I force myself to just stop doing whatever I am doing,turn out the lights and go to bed. I might read a little while longer once I get to bed, but it helps me sleep better and for longer which helps me not feel so exhausted by the end of the week.
Staying away from my phone is a very stress reducing act for me and i should disconnect more regularly.

I like all these ideas. I already walk every day , I try to eat healthy most of the time. I love Take a bath, at night, with lavender epsom salt and I put some essential oils in it, ahhhh, so relaxing, and the same thing for your feet, it feels so good to soak your feet at the end of a long day. I also love the idea of just sitting next to tree. It is so calming to me. Sit in the sun for 10 minutes. I am fortunate enough to have the sun come up on one side of my apartment and set on the opposite side. I just stand in the window and marvel at the beauty and intensity of the colors and let the sun rays fall gently on my face and warm my whole body. I love drinking lemon water, especially first thing in the morning. One time my granddaughter and I collected leaves and a beautiful collage.

Spending time alone can sometimes be difficult for me because of a lot of at home responsibilities. I would like to do this more often. I will set aside time to read a book and practice my Reiki more often. This will help me feel more relaxed and in tune with myself. I would also like to go to an Art Museum. I enjoy all types of art and have been drawing since a very young age. I haven't made time to enjoy Art by others or to soak it all in. This is something i would really enjoy and something new for my family to go to as well.

12. Listen to a piece of music that you loved when you were in high school.-  Music has always been importat in changing my mood and helping me to refocus.

16. Call an old friend with whom you haven't spoken for a while.-  I have been wanting to reconnect with old friends that I have lost track of.

25. Sit in the sun for 10 minutes.- If the sun is shining, during the winter months it is harder to get some rays, but it revitalizes me.

50. Reduce your intake of news. this is something I already do.  and have for a very long time. 

Self care is important for rejuvination.  A few self care acts that would help me are spending time along, taking a hot bath, and getting rid of things that I don't need.  Being around students that need me all day is rewarding, but its important to me to have alone time as well.  I like to read during my time alone.  Another self care act for me is to take a hot bath.  Baths help my body to relax and detox.  This helps me to manage my stress level.  Another self care task that makes me feel better is to get rid of things that I do not need.  Organizing makes me feel happier and more productive. 

Spending time alone:  as a teacher, mother and wife I barely get any time to myself...even when I am alone, I get texts from my children asking for things.  I commit to shutting off my phone for one hour every friday, tell my family it is my alone time, and sitting with myself, alone, doing something I enjoy doing!
Saying "no":  I actually started practicing this in the past year.  I usually feel guilty when I say "no"....to anything.  The first time I said "no", I felt empowered.  I am going to practice this more!
take a walk outside:  I am going to commit to this no matter what the weather is.  I am going to put in my headphones, listen to relaxing music, and enjoy the outdoors to help clear my head.