The Green Phoenix

There is a common misbelief that self-care is selfish but in reality it is vital to maintaining our wellbeing and avoiding burnout. It’s not about putting our own needs above the needs of others but instead taking time to simply take care of yourself.  For some this can be difficult to understand. 

It can be as simple as doing something special for yourself. For me that includes getting a haircut when it starts to get a bit difficult to control or long enough to grip in back. The last few weeks it had been really bugging me, but I kept putting it off for one reason or another. And while yesterday was a bit more stressful than usual in part due to the unexpected crowds and noise level (forgot about kids going back to school this week) really glad I did it. Not only does it look better, I feel a heck of a lot better than I have the last few weeks.

Another example of self-care is giving yourself space from the stressors in your life.  If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by work take a few minutes to get up and go stretch your legs and go for a short walk before coming back to it.

Find a way to express yourself.  I know that a lot of people are intimidated by the thought of trying to do something creative.  But find a way that to express yourself whether it’s through creating a piece of art, writing a poem or even working outside.  The goal is to find a healthy way to express your thoughts and emotions.

Do something that you enjoy and relaxes you.  For some it’s listening to music or taking a hot bath.  For others it’s going to the gym or going out for a run.  The key is to do something for you that you enjoy doing.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of your life take a few minutes to find something that gives you a sense of control.  Create a “to do” list, clean your house or do the next thing you know to do.

Self-care is important but all too often is something we neglect to do. Sometimes it is taking care of the things you've been putting off because you're busy with other things. Other times it’s as simple as a getting a haircut or even just remembering to take five minutes out of your day to stop and breathe.