Here we are, well into 2022, the holiday rush is over, most likely the kids are back in school, and we are still living in a pandemic. For me, the last 2 years have been unlike any year I’ve ever had. I actually sat down and did a little self check workshop and had to be honest with myself in terms of my stress level. How is it looking different for you this year?
I have 3 questions for you…..
Have you stopped to think, really think, about how it has impacted you? Are you relaxed about it? Are you stressed out about it? Sad about it?
Once you figure that out I’d like you to ask yourself….”How am I coping with it?” Are you finding yourself snippy with others, isolating, over committing, undercomitting?
Once you answer both….what are you doing for yourself to stress relieve?
I can’t preach enough about how important it is to take care of ourselves. It’s not selfish, it’s survival. It took me too many years to figure this out. And I have to say, I was just getting by mentally and emotionally with my old mindset. But, I didn’t realize that until one day I really thought this self care thing through.
Even if you are stuck with not recognizing the self care mindset, it’s important to almost force yourself to do some of it. Here are some ideas for you to start with:
Workout
Massage
Going out for coffee with friends
Going for a walk alone or with a friend
Treat yourself to something nice
Get your nails done
Get your hair done
Dress up and go out!
Read a book you’ve been wanting to
Listen to a podcast (I have few for you)
Meditate
Listen to music
I’m going to give you a challenge….most likely you like challenges if you are reading my blogs.
First, write down (literally write or type) down some ideas of things that interest you.
Second, schedule it. Put it in your calendar!
Third, afterward, come back to where you wrote your ideas down, write down how it felt to do it.
Fourth, Go back in a week and write down how it changed your stress level or how you reacted to stress that week.
My outcome? I didn’t realize it was affecting me to the extent it was, but quickly realized that I needed to make some changes. I’m changing up my nutrition and workout routine and looking forward to it!
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