by Cathy Clements, Nutritionist & Life Coach, NASM CNC, CPT, FNS, WFS
Wow! Summer is over, the kids are back in school and hopefully we all will have what we would call a “regular” schedule to begin this fall.
Start scheduling your day!
Why do I say this? Especially following a year like the last, having a schedule brings with it certainty. Certainty is good for our health. Certainty lessens our stress, and we can all admit the levels of stress rose last year.
Take inventory of what you may have stopped doing last year. Was it something that made you feel good and relaxed? It’s time to begin those things again.
Self-care is very important. Self-care reduces stress, the kind of stress that causes disease! Exercise does stress our body but in a positive way — eustress. When we get excited or our pulse quickens, but not due to a threat or fear, we feel alive and happy.
Where do we get eustress?
Having a hobby is a great way to relax and reduce our stress levels. Those hobbies don’t have to be fitness related, although I love those. They can be something as relaxing as knitting and being still for a moment. Painting is another hobby that quiets the body and focuses you on the project at hand. Journaling can reduce stress and release thoughts and events from your mind, again reducing stress in you.
How many times did I say reduces stress? Stress reduction, in whatever way helps you, is awesome for your health.
Self-care can also be a massage, a facial, a manicure or a pedicure. How amazing do you feel after you have pampered yourself a little?
Men, if none of those appeal to you, how about lunch with friends, a golf game or a movie?
Self-care can mean finding time to sit quietly, meditate and breathe. This is not an all-inclusive list of way to be good to yourself. Because bottom line, that is what self-care is. If visiting family and friends brings you joy, I hope you have an opportunity to do this soon!
Enjoy being good to yourself!