Self-Care is a Must in My Book and in The Declaration of You!
I know exactly how you feel about the beach. Just being at the beach makes my whole body relax and…
Self-Care! That word can mean so many things. I’ve written often about how important “taking care of me” is to me. Let’s look at the word first before I get into my definition.
What is Self-Care?
The dictionary defines self-care as:
care of the self without medical or other professional consultation.
WOW! Such a clinical definition. Taking care of the self without medical consultation. So I suppose when you take aspirin for a headache, you are participating in self-care. But self-care goes so much deeper than that. There are things we must do for ourselves and only ourselves to keep our sanity. That is the self-care I’m going to talk about today.
Why Self-Care Today?
My Definition of Self-Care
To me, self-care is anything that you need to do to make yourself happy just because. You don’t need to explain why or have to answer to anyone. For example, I love my afternoon snack. I have a Diet Coke and something to eat and I will spend 15 minutes reading blogs. I look forward to that time because it’s my reward for drinking water all morning plus I get to catch up with my blogging friends.
I need and crave that 15 minutes every day. It’s not a complicated or difficult need and some may think it’s silly, but to me…it’s MY time.
Self-care can also be something bigger. A vacation to the beach is another one of my BIG self-care needs. As a kid (and still as an adult) I HATED going outside. I would rather have spent my days in my room reading. I didn’t like outdoor activities and I hated the grass, the bugs, the humidity and everything else that goes with being outside.
Only one word….gorgeous!!!
UNTIL….I found the beach. The first time I stepped on the beach at the ocean, I was home. I could feel all my limbs relaxing and I never wanted to leave. If I lived at the beach, I’d be outside all day. I didn’t hate being outside, I just didn’t like where I was outside. The feel of the sand between my toes is awesome. I don’t need to go into the water, but I love to lay and listen to it.
Each year, if I don’t get to the beach, it begins to cause me stress. I’ve felt it lately because it’s been a while since I’ve been there.
Whether your self-care is little or small, don’t be afraid to take advantage of it. If you need it, go for it. Don’t let others take those moments from you.
The Declaration of You Video Trailer
The Declaration of You: The Book! from Pierre François Frédéric on Vimeo.
Declaration of You Facebook Party Details
I will be participating in The Declaration of You’s Facebook party this Friday at 9:30-10a PST/11:30a-12p CST/12:30-1p EST. We’ll be chatting in real-time about SELF-CARE over at facebook.com/TheDeclarationOfYou. Hope you can join us!
Disclosure: I am participating in the official blog tour for The Declaration of You book, but I was not compensated in any way. I purchased the book myself (both paperback & Kindle version.) All opinions are 100% my
Let’s Talk About Self-Care!
What does self-care mean to you? What do you do to take care of yourself?
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I know exactly how you feel about the beach. Just being at the beach makes my whole body relax and my soul soar. Unfortunately I’ve been living inland for the past four years! But I do try to get out around water as much as possible.
I totally admit it, self-care is one of the secret keys of success and a balanced work life/family life as well. Thanks for posting your inspirational article, I think I should write about his as well…
Love your post. I love the beach too. I particularly love walking on the beach at night. I used to do that as a kid when I lived in Brazil and to this day I sleep the best after a walk at night on the beach. Thanks for the reminder.
Great blog topic for everyone!