Time To Take Care of Yourself, Darlings!
We’ve heard it all over the internet, my Darlings–SELF-CARE! I see it everywhere I go now, and I hear it all the time, especially with New Year Resolutions.
So, what is self-care? Psych Central describes it as:
“Self-care is any activity that we do deliberately in order to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health. Although it’s a simple concept in theory, it’s something we very often overlook. Good self-care is key to improved mood and reduced anxiety. It’s also key to a good relationship with oneself and others.”
It made me wonder, Darlings, why is self-care so easy to overlook? I think often, as a woman over 50, and as a woman in general, we tend to overlook our own care because we are so busy taking care of those around us. Especially if we have children or grandchildren.
But, with our January theme of reinvention, I decided that it’s time we make time for our self-care routines. Either by reinventing them, or inventing them from scratch! They don’t have to be complicated or hard to follow, in fact, it can be as simple as taking a bath for twenty minutes, or ritualizing your daily skincare routine.
If you are still struggling for ideas, here are a few for you to add or include in your reinvented self-care routine!
1. Set-Up a Daily Exercise Routine
Don’t let the word “exercise” scare you off. Now, you might be asking, “Honey? Why are you including exercise in self-care? Isn’t self-care supposed to be relaxing?” Well yes… and no! As we age, moving our bodies becomes even more important than before. Leading a sedentary lifestyle isn’t good for our bones or for our mental well-being.
In fact, exercise releases endorphins into the body, which make us feel good and can even give us a more positive outlook on life. Doesn’t that sound absolutely wonderful?
Easily incorporate daily exercise into your self-care routine by going for a walk, doing a simple stretching or yoga routine, taking up boxing (my new favorite) or maybe even join a local gym that has programs for people over 50+. Do whatever makes you feel comfortable, Darlings!
2. Monthly Facials
Have you gotten a facial before, my readers? One of my readers never got a facial until after she turned 30 and now she’s addicted. You know why? Because her skin has never looked better! Not only is she taking care of her beautiful features, but she feels better too.
Though getting a facial isn’t necessarily about beauty, it can improve the look of your skin. However, it’s also about taking care of the body. The skin of your face can actually tell you how your eating, if your stressed and what is going on inside your body. Acne, stress lines, redness can all be indicators of what is going on inside of us. A great facialist will be able to tell you if he/she is doing her job correctly.
Facials are also a great addition to a self-care routine because they are relaxing and a perfect window of time for you to reflect and enjoy taking care of your skin.
Can’t afford a facial, my Darlings? Do not worry! Create a skincare routine with any of these products found HERE and HERE. Just do whatever you can to make yourself a priority.
3. Meditation
Meditation is a wonderful way to take care of your mental and physical health.
Adding in a 5 to 10-minute meditation in the morning after you wake, or in the evening before you go to bed is a great way to begin! You don’t have to meditate for 30-minutes every day unless you want to. Start out simple and work your way up, lovelies.
If you find it hard to sit still as I do, use a meditation app or video on YouTube to help you. Guided meditations are a great way for beginners to ease their way into quiet time.
Check out a great one HERE
4. Set Aside Time To Read
Do you love reading? I love it, and to me, it’s one of the best ways to wind down after a long day and transport myself into another world or learn something new.
Reading helps to calm the mind, expand the mind, harness creativity and imagination and even expand our vocabulary. It’s never too late to learn something new, am I right?
Some of my favorite reads include: “The Hidden Life of Trees“, “The Art of Stillness” and my absolute favorite “Gift From The Sea“.
What are some of your favorites?
5. Treat Yourself To What You Love
Self-care is all about treating yourself to doing something you love and taking time to enjoy it.
No matter what that is, Darlings, your self-care is a gift to yourself. Remember, self-care is to help your mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.
There are no rules to self-care. Here are a few more new ideas that you may not have considered:
- Painting your own nails or getting a manicure
- Getting a massage
- Going for a walk in nature
- Biking or hiking through a nature preserve
- Getting your hair cut
- Laying out by the pool
- Getting a blowout at a place like “The Dry Bar”
- Making a nice dinner for yourself with a good glass of wine
- Taking an art class or craft class
- Playing a game you love!
- Horseback riding at a local stable
Whatever you choose to do, Darlings, do it because you want to, never because you feel you have to.
Share your self-care routine or ideas in the comments below! We want to hear from you.
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Good Morning Honey
I thought I would share this quote with you today my sister gave to me 🙂
The older I get, the more i realise I dont want to be around drama, conflict and stress
I want a cozy home ,good food and to be surrounded around happy people
Enjoy your day ! L
Treasured words, treasured thoughts, and treasured action. I am smiling. Warmly, Honey
Hello Honey,
I appreciate the reminders in the article that the best way to care for others is to care for ourselves first. In order to incorporate more exercise into my day in the midst of a Michigan winter, I’ve found a wealth of videos on Youtube that are geared to all ages and ability levels. Yoga with Adrienne and Zumba Gold with Marite are fun and simple routines that help me stay active when I can’t hike or bike.
Thanks for the reminder to schedule a facial. It’s been a while since I enjoyed one!
Thank you for sharing. I am going to share with all my darlings. When you care for yourself you are a happier person. We all are. Warmly, Honey
I moved 11 years ago and was able to join a neighborhood book club. The book club was a life saver after moving and one women in the group has become a trusted friend. She, in fact, was a transplant too and started the group. For those of you out there who like to read, start a club. Mine is small, just 10 of us and most of us close in age. We have bonded in many ways through life ups and downs as well. We read 11 months of the year and there is always an interesting variety. Give it a shot. You will be surprised how your life is enriched. Both “The Waiting” and “Lilac Girls” are excellent selections by the way.
Thank you, Barbara for your advice. I may institute this in my own group. Here’s to continuing to be a GRAND Woman with MOXIE in 2020. Warmly, Honey
A shower! Cancer leaves me exhausted and showering had become another chore. Now I use all the good fragrances of shampoo and body soaps and lotions afterwards. I feel good after the warm water soothes the anxiety of illness.
I love what you are doing. Thank you for sharing. I am smiling. Warmly, Honey