self-care
/self–kair/
noun. 

a. care of the self without medical or other professional consultation

Today is “Blue Monday” – a title given to the third Monday of January, which is reported to be the most depressing day of the year.

To be honest, I don’t really like this label.

I’m not sure if that’s because it gives me an excuse to be sad, or because it gives the false impression that depression only lasts for one day. Either way, the entirety of January and February are hard for me to get through.

I usually hit a wall post-holidays when everything returns to “normal.” Why? Because it feels like I’ve been pushed off the top of a mountain.

For me, December is full of anticipation and celebration. I get to spend a lot of time with family and friends, and this usually leaves me with an overwhelming sense that I am loved and appreciated. However, when the New Year hits and we all transition back to work, I go numb. I haven’t yet learned to cope with the drastic dip in positive emotions. As much as a new year brings exciting new opportunities, and I do enjoy my regular routine, it simply does not compare to the intense positivity I feel during the holiday season.

This year, though, I’ve been trying to refocus. I’ve been praying for the wisdom needed to recognize my emotions and take steps to deal with them. Only recently have I begun to understand what it means to take care of ME.

In the past, I had often mistaken self-care for selfishness, believing that choosing myself means forsaking others. The problem with this idea, though, is that I would end up with nothing to give to people. I would become moody, short-tempered and anxious. I would cry about minor things, and to put it simply, I just couldn’t function like a normal adult.

Caring for yourself is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. BUT it is also one of the easiest things to forget.

Personally, I spend a lot of time caring for others. At work, I am responsible for upwards of 30 kids, whose physical, social, and emotional well-being need a lot of nurturing. At home, I put extra care into the needs of my husband and our precious kitten. Add to that the numerous errands, housework, family functions, etc.—and there isn’t much time left for caring for myself.

Now, let me just say, I love being a wife, a teacher, and a friend. My relationships with others, and the impacts I am able to make, are such valuable aspects of my life. When I make a positive connection with someone, I feel accomplished, and this is exactly why me, myself, and I often take the back seat.

There has to be a balance, so here’s a list of things that I’ve been doing lately to care for myself.

  • Warm Baths. I’ve recently discovered the beauty of bath bombs, filling the space with pretty colours and delightful aromas. Sometimes I even bring a book along with me, or an episode of one of my favourite shows on Netflix.
  • A Good Book. Reading is one of my favourite pastimes, so I often take a little trip to Indigo to find myself a new book. I always end up perusing through the stationary and home décor somewhere along the way, as well.
  • Regular Exercise. I had a pretty good gym routine going when I was in university. It was a huge boost to my physical and mental health. Since then, I’ve let it slide a lot. Over the past two weeks, however, I’ve been going to the gym every other day and it’s made a world of difference. Even my hubby noticed I was happier and ‘nicer.’ LOL. I guess I better keep it up.
  • Yoga. In addition to my cardio, arms and ab workouts, I’ve decided to give yoga a try using Quick Fit‘s 15 minute routine. It’s a great way to stretch out those muscles after a workout and achieve a more relaxed posture. It’s amazing how much focusing on your breathing can relieve your stress.
  • Journaling. I used to write a lot; now not so much. But I have started to keep a record of the new series our church has started, entitled Rethink. It’s an opportunity for me to dive deeper into my relationship with God, and remember who I am in Christ.
  • Coffee Dates. My husband and I love to go on coffee dates, so recently, we’ve dedicated an hour or so after church on Sundays to do just that. This time together is the perfect remedy to any of the week’s woes.
  • Extra Hugs. I usually snag a few extra hugs from my husband here and there throughout the week. Those few seconds really make a difference.
  • Less Scrolling. It’s easier said than done, but I’m trying to lessen the amount of time I scroll through useless news feeds on my phone. It’s a huge waste of time and it usually doesn’t lead anywhere good.

Self-care is about identifying your own needs and taking steps to meet them. It is taking time for activities that nurture YOU. It’s about treating yourself just as kindly as you would treat others.

What do YOU do to take care of yourself?