Take Care Of You

31 Mar Take Care Of You

Sometimes it all gets to be a little much.  Life can get overwhelming, work can be crazy, family obligations can be draining, and even the things we enjoy like volunteering can add pressure.  There is a reason why we hear phrases like “recharge your batteries” or “take some ME time”.  We all need to prioritize a bit of self-care.

In the child welfare field, we hear about self-care often, but what exactly is self-care? Self–care is anything you do to take care of yourself so you can stay physically, mentally, and emotionally well. 

We all have different approaches to self-care.  If you are looking for a way to recharge your batteries, here are some ideas:

• Sit outside in the evening and star-gaze.
• Join a book club – you’ll get to indulge in good books and good company.
• Go fishing. Catch and release or fry up your catch.
• Take a bike ride.  Enjoy the view.
• Spend some time in the garden.  If you grow veggies, eat them.  If you grow roses, take the time to smell them.
• Make art.  Paint, draw, sculpt.  Not very creative? Grab a coloring book and crayons.
• Take a hiatus from social media.
• Crank up the music and have a dance party in the kitchen.
• Take a nice long Sunday drive.  Maybe even get lost.
• Learn how to cook a new dish and then sit down and savor it.
• Keep a gratitude journal.
• Recapture your childhood.  Go to the park and swing or fly a kite.
• Spend a cozy day inside cuddled in a soft blanket and read a good book or binge-watch something new.
• Go for a hike at a National Park.
• Have a brunch, lunch, or dinner date with a good friend.
• Go to bed early.  Sleep in.
• Play fetch with your dog.
• Make sure you drink lots of water.
• Have a family game night. Laugh a lot.
• Spend some time pampering yourself.
• Do something nice for someone.
• Learn and use a breathing exercise.

Remember that when you take care of yourself, you are better able to give your best to your family, job, and other obligations. 

Leave us a comment and tell us your favorite way to take care of yourself.