The Kharisma Magazine The Kharisma Magazine (Full) Premiere Issue | Page 252

Y 252 Giving Yourself the Gift of Self-Care ou may or may not be aware that the concept WRITTEN BY COLLEEN ELLIOTT of self-care originated in the healthcare field. It is traditionally defined as “any intentional actions you take to care for your { P R E M I E R I S S U E 2 0 1 8 } K H A R I S M A M A G A Z I N E 2. Think daily, weekly, and monthly self-care needs. To break the habit of thinking of self-care as an ‘only when physical, mental, and emotional health.” In essence, it is at the needed’ thing, I advise considering your daily, weekly, and opposite end of the spectrum from being taken care of by others, monthly needs for self care. Daily self-care might look like prayer, and puts the responsibility directly on us to take care of our own journaling, stretching and movement, going to bed on time, or needs. Self-care is understanding and meeting your own needs, eating well. Weekly self-care might look like attending a spiritual prefaced by knowledge of self and giving yourself permission to celebration, going to therapy or a support group, spending time take care of yourself. with family or friends, buying yourself some flowers, sleeping in on your day off, or cooking yourself a wonderful meal. Self-care Women who prioritize self-care cope better with daily stressors, on a monthly basis might look like a massage or visit to a spa, a are less on edge, more in-tune with their thoughts, emotions, day spent in silence, a detox, reading a book, or de-cluttering and body, and have a balanced perspective on life. They your space. understand that everything is not in their control and that they cannot control others; only how they themselves show up. They see self-care as a precursor to being able to effectively serve 3. Schedule your self-care. According to Parkinson’s Law, “Work expands so as to fill the others and maintain healthy relationships, not simply another time available for its completion.” So if we do not give ourselves ‘good’ thing to do. They know that the only thing that truly stands permission and time to rejuvenate our minds, bodies, and spirits, between them and doing self-care is a decision. naturally all the other things on our to-do lists will simply fill that space. You may not have one hour every day to exercise, so Part of the reason self-care is not valued is because we have been commit to a shorter period of time daily and do a longer session taught to rely on external factors such as our achievements in when you have more time. We often stop ourselves before we business, finance, relationships, career, family, education, etc. start because we make too big of a commitment. Break your self- to feel good about ourselves. But when we are over-reliant on care activities into bite-size chunks so they can be easily fit into external success, we run the risk of over-doing and over-giving your day. to feel a sense of satisfaction and ultimately end up in burnout. It’s only when we reach burnout, overcome with stress, illness, or exhaustion, that we are encouraged to ‘ramp up’ the self- care. However, if we proactively practice self-care, we develop the ability to live our best, healthiest lives despite the challenges we will face. care into your life: 1. Take a holistic approach to self care. Self-care involves mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health. Many of us are aware of the physical and emotional needs but often neglect spiritual and mental needs. It is easy to overlook negative thoughts that begin creeping in until we begin to feel despair. Begin to think of your self-care as more than your feelings and your body. T H E I N S I D E other activities. Who said self-care has to be done alone! Make a date with someone special - a family member or friend - to do self-care together. For example, take in a movie, take an exercise class Here are some tips for easily and successfully integrating self- F R O M 4. Combine your self-care with O U T together, enjoy a healthy meal, or go dancing. Keep in mind, self-care does not always have to be an activity. It can also mean just taking time to be and do nothing! The key is to tune in and understand what you need at any given time to be your best. When done proactively, self-care is an empowered, intentional action that you will profit from exponentially. Self-care is not a luxury but a necessity. To live your best life and have the energy to have a positive impact on the lives of others, you must make self-care a priority. A woman who takes her self-care seriously exudes self-worth and is an icon of self-possession. 253