I was sure self-care and children for an accounting family could not be possible. I often read articles about how to survive when your spouse works a lot, and ever one of them promoted self-care. It talked about exercise, Girls Nights’ Out, date night, and bubble baths. That all sounded great in theory, but I could barely go to the bathroom without it turning into a family (and pet) affair.
What was truly missing from these articles, and what I have since learned, is that lasting self-care happens as part of your life, and not in the escaping of it.
The all knowing Google defines self care as, “the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress.” I know you have experienced your fair share of “periods of stress!”
How many ways can you think of that you protect your well-being and happiness? The example Google provided is, “expressing oneself is an essential for self-care.”
Here’s a few more examples:
- stepping outside your backdoor for some fresh air;
- sitting on the ground to pet your dog;
- saying “no” when you feel pressured to say “yes;”
- having sex with your spouse;
- eating a vegetable;
- scheduling a later time to worry so you can be present now with your kids;
- practicing mindfulness while putting on your shoes;
- having a phone call with your life coach;
- flossing your teeth when something isn’t stuck;
- taking a vitamin;
- watching a show that makes you gut-belly laugh;
- curiously learning how to love your body without shaming it;
When you remove the preconceived notions of what self-care “should” look like, you are able to see how easy it is to practice it no matter the circumstances of your life.
Take a moment to decide for yourselves simple ways you can protect your well-being right now because only you know what that looks like on a daily basis.
Still not sure how you can squeeze in self-care this summer? I am here for you. Click here to send me an email so we can book your consult right now.
