Self-Care

Self-care is so important for our health yet self-care always takes a dive to the bottom of priorities in so many people's lives just when it should be at the top of the list!

How often do you get so busy that you forget to look after yourself and later forced to take a step back? (most of the people that walk into our treatment rooms).

"Those who do not find the time for their health will sooner or later have to find time for illness"

So how do we still find time for self-care when our priorities are forced to shift due to circumstances out of our control? 

Time is usually the obstacle in the majority of cases, so we can shift how much time we spend with self-care so that we are still honoring our selves and giving ourselves some time, instead of just forgetting about it altogether. The easiest way to transition is to just remember what makes up the foundations of our health and focus on maintaining your foundation. 

Fundamentals for a Foundation of Health 

-Movement 

-Breathing 

-Nourish the Mind 

-Nourish your body with good food 

-Hydrate 

Move

In times of stress where priorities have shifted make sure you move your body at least 20-30 minutes a day. This may mean that you walk to or from work, or even at lunchtime. You take the stairs instead of the lift. You stretch at your desk a few times a day, it doesn't have to be 20-30 minutes in one hit although that is more ideal, the point is not to stop moving altogether. You may miss the gym for a while but that doesn't mean you can't move your body. 

Breathe, when we are busy we tend to shallow breathe or even hold your breathe. So practicing breathing in for 5 seconds and holding your breathe for 5 seconds, then breathing out for 5 seconds, 5 times can be a great way to calm your nervous system and remind your body to breathe deeply. This exercise can be performed before you get up in the morning, walking to work, on the train/bus, at your desk etc. 

Nourish your mind, we are what we think so being conscious of being kind to yourself in your own thoughts can go a long way. It is very easy in times of stress to fall into negative thought patterns. 

Nourish your body with good food. Usually, the first thing to be sacrificed is our diet in times of stress. Make a conscious effort to make good eating choices. 

Hydrate your body, drinking plenty of water will help support your body through times of stress and prevent dehydration headaches. 

So next time you feel your self-care is taking a dive to remember the fundamentals of your foundation of health, strip your self-care back to that until you have more time for yourself.