Self Care

The weather outside is finally warm after snow for two days in the beginning of the week. I look forward to spring every year. The warmth of the sun, the cool breeze, the light showers, and most of all I look forward to working in my yard. There is nothing more relaxing to me than to be in my yard, down on my knees and working in the dirt. I love to sit out on the front porch in the afternoon with a glass of ice tea or a coke and enjoy the sights and smells of my hard work. It is a rejuvenating time of year where everything starts again. There is a cleansing, a rebirth of plants and the new birth of animals. It is a great time for fresh starts, spring cleaning and self care.

This is just one of the ways that I take care of myself. It is so important that as a mom, a wife and with two jobs that I still find time for self care. Without it how would I relieve stress, how would I make it through a week without killing someone?? *chuckles*. I have learned a lot being a victim advocate but one of the most important is self care.

So what exactly is self care and why is it so important? By medical definition it is the care of ones self medically without the assistance of a medical professional. This of course is not the type of self care I speak of *grins*. My definition of self care is taking time for ones self to destress and find one's inner peace and balance. If we walk through life always taking care of others and not taking care of ourselves then sooner or later we our selves wear out and can take care of no one.

How do you practice self care? Is there only one good way? Of course the answer is no. Self care is specific to each individual and honestly each budget *chuckles*. Individual self care with a decent budget can include a massage, pedicure, manicure, facial, sitting in the book store for hours, going to a movie or solitary lunch. Individual self care on a strict budget can include a long hot soak in a tub with either candles or a book, crafting, reading, meditation, yoga, sending the children to a friends or neighbors house for the night, movie night, gardening and so on. You can also do self care with others. This could be something like going shopping with the girls, going on a date night with your significant other, a spa day, lunch with friends. If your budget is tight have a movie night with friends, play cards, do an in home spa day, or have a pot luck.

Self care is as varied and as different as the person needing it. Find what works for you. But most importantly DO it. Take care of your self. Remember the phrase “If momma ain't happy ain't nobody happy” is very true (same can be said about dads *grin*. Trust me when I say that everyone will thank you for taking some you time for yourself including yourself. When you are happy and relaxed you are better able to deal with the stresses of everyday life.

Finally I shall end this post with a breathing exercise that I find works great for me in stressful situations and right before bed. Try it the first time the with the instructions. Once you have done that you can try it in a sitting position. The point is sensing where your breathe where your breathe touches.

1. Lie in a comfortable position on your back with your knees bent. (This automatically forces your body to belly breathe)
2. Place your hands on your stomach
3. Slowly breathe in through your nose to the count of four and hold for 2
4. Again slowly release your breathe through you nose to the count to 6 to 8
5. repeat 3 to 4 times

This exercise trains you to learn how to belly breathe again which can be some of the most relaxing breathes. It also lets your brain know that all is well and put your body in a relaxed state . . . Happy Breathing