Mindfulness tends to be a buzz word these days, and for good reason. When we are mindful, we are intentional, thoughtful, and purposeful. The term self-care has also taken the mental-health field by storm, and the benefits of it are significant.
Mindful self-care simply means intentionally engaging in activities, experiences or relationships that nurture our soul, allow us time to self-reflect, and renew our emotional, spiritual, physical, or mental well-being.
We can’t pour from an empty cup. Mindful self-care is essential to keeping the water replenished. Until it is an established habit or routine, mindful self-care isn’t always easy to put into practice. I have provided some practical ideas to help you. I call this the redirect to reconnect strategy. When we redirect our attention to caring for ourselves, even for a brief moment, we allow ourselves to reconnect so we can honestly answer: How am I doing? What do I need?
Breathe
Deep breathing is a quick and effective way to lower stress in the body. When you breathe deeply, it sends a message to your brain to calm down and relax. The brain then sends this message to your body and can help to reduce tension and relieve stress.
Sunshine
Did you know just a few minutes of sunshine each day has been shown to increase serotonin levels in the brain? Serotonin is associated with boosting mood and helping a person feel calm and focused.
Evaluate your priorities
Make a list of the most important or meaningful things, people and activities in your life. Make time for those and if possible, eliminate or reduce the extraneous ones lower on your priority list.
Practice Gratitude
Research shows when we are intentional about identifying the good things in our lives, we are more likely to experience a positive outlook and increased emotional well-being. Keeping a gratitude journal or sending a note of thanks to a friend or co-worker can do wonders to care for your soul.
Organize
Visual noise and clutter around the house, office or even in the car can raise anxiety and needlessly occupy your mind. Using a daily planner, organizing your sock drawer, or cleaning out the French fries from under those car seats are simple steps to begin to organize your life. Make your space a sanctuary that brings peace, calm and opportunities for reflection.
Invest Time in Yourself
Take time for what is important to you. Some ideas include: eating well, exercise, meditate, take a warm bath, read your favorite book, reconnect with an old friend, go for a walk, do that craft project you’ve been putting off, volunteer with an organization near and dear to your heart, take a yoga class, dance to your favorite song, blow bubbles with your kids, or even just allow yourself to sit quietly and internally self-reflect. By investing in yourself, you will be investing in others.
Reach Out
Sometimes life gets us down. We endure unpleasant moments, suffer loss and even experience significant trauma that can keep us numb and disconnected. All of these things can dim our ability to care for ourselves. It’s okay to ask for help and receive care. Reaching out to a trusted friend or seeking professional hep is one of the greatest forms of mindful self-care you can practice.
While the above list isn’t exhaustive, it’s a starting point to develop strategies to care for yourself. It is when we reflectively ask ourselves: How am I? What do I need? Then we can rejuvenate our bodies, minds and spirits.
If you or someone you love would like more support around self-care or with any other mental health need, contact LiveFree at 720.465.6180.
