Mention self-care to many people and the first thing they’ll probably say is along the lines of not wanting to appear selfish to friends and family. But why is self-care considered to be a selfish act? If you don’t already have a plan in place for helping yourself to take care of your physical, mental, and emotional needs when they crop up, you’re likely just putting out fires left and right. That’s a recipe for more stress rather than less stress. What you need is a plan.
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Redefine Pampering Yourself
When you first start looking at new ways to take care of yourself, you have to top the list with a new definition of what it means to pamper yourself. You don’t have to give yourself permission to do nice things for yourself. If weekly manicures are what help you to feel pampered, then go for it. But don’t overlook other ways of pampering yourself, such as giving yourself time to just relax. Too many people believe that powering through periods of time in which they’re tired or stressed is necessary. But what happens is that it runs you down even more.
Bring the Outdoors In
There is no doubt that nature does so much for everyone. But with today’s busy modern schedules, you may not have the time that you need and want in order to reap those benefits. The next best thing is to bring some of nature indoors to you. Instead of going the average route, look for ways to make this idea even more special. Don’t settle for wimpy little flower bouquets, for example. Go full force with an order of luxury roses, just for you. Every time you look at those beautiful flowers, you’ll remember that someone very special sent them to you.
Say Yes to What You Need
When you’re already overwhelmed, self-care isn’t that easy to get a handle on. It’s not unusual for you to wonder if you’re actually being incredibly selfish when you first start to pay attention to your own needs and wants. If you’re not taking care of yourself, though, who is stepping up to the plate to handle that task? Having the opportunity to unwind and to make sure you’re able to deal with all of the stress in your life gives you the strength you need to be able to handle anything life throws your way.
Stick to Your Plan
At first, some of the people in your life are going to take this whole new plan the wrong way. They’re used to you putting them above yourself, you see, and it’s going to feel as if you’re taking something away from them. That’s not the case, but it’s how they feel about it. The best thing that you can do, for both you and the other people in your life, is to stick to your plan. You’ll be better prepared to meet their needs when you’re taking care of your own.
Don’t Wait for Special Occasions
One mistake you don’t want to make is putting any of this off for “the right time.” When it comes to keeping yourself emotionally and mentally healthy, there’s no such thing as waiting for the right time or a special occasion. Every day is a special, right occasion for you to do something nice for yourself. One way you can break this thought pattern is by putting random dates or random activities in a hat and picking one. You can either set up a “pamper yourself” day on the random date or take the time now for the activity you pick.
Once you start to appreciate the incredible benefits of paying attention to your own self-care, you’ll find it easier to love yourself the way that you should.
