Be Mine-dful: A Love Letter to Real Self-Care

Because True Self-Love Is More Than Just Chocolates and Spa Days!

Happy Valentine’s Day, friends! I thought today was the perfect day to talk about self-care. And not the kind you usually think of.

Self-care goes far beyond massages, facials, mani/pedi, girls’ trips, etc. I don’t know about you, but scheduling any of these into my already hectic schedule is beyond daunting. There's no chance of it happening if someone can’t meet me at my house and get this done in under one hour. I’ve accepted that my life isn’t frilly right now, but that in no way means that self-care doesn’t happen. It just looks different.

I wanted to remind you how great you’re already doing by eating for a stable blood sugar. This is the first step in helping the nervous system. When we have a stable release of glucose into our bloodstream, we give our organs the energy they need and burn fat throughout the day, but most importantly, we work toward balancing our hormones and our moods! Hopefully, this is what you’re already feeling, but there’s more we can do!

Here are some ways to acknowledge self-care in your everyday life… As you do these, be mindful of how much you love yourself by offering these simple self-care tactics:

• Get 8 hours of sleep a night and keep bedtime and wake times consistent

• Eat five colors a day

• Drink lemon water every morning

• Drink 80 oz of water a day

• Get in a workout of some kind

• Eat balanced CCN meals every 4 hours

• Have all the groceries you need on hand to make a meal

• Daily meditation

• Daily journaling

Do you get the picture? We are already practicing self-care even though it doesn’t look like the Instagram influencer’s version of it.

I’ve talked before about different techniques for mindfulness and meditation.

Today, I want to share some of my favorite ways to calm my nerves—and they're all free!

• Breathwork

• A country drive

• Relaxing bath

• Take a nature walk —no headphones, no distractions. Pay attention to the wind, the flowers blooming, and the sun's position.

• Hold a baby (this might be my favorite!)

• Do a puzzle

• A long hug —did you know that hugging for 10 seconds or more releases endorphins and oxytocin? Don’t underestimate the power of a good hug.

• Noontime sun —This is the best time to boost vitamin D levels. Go out, stand in the sun at lunch for ten minutes, and pray.

It also helps to do these things throughout the day. While it can be tempting to get everything on your to-do list done first and then relax, it’s better for our PNS (Parasympathetic Nervous System) to build these small relaxation blocks throughout the day. Taking a few minutes out of your day for some deep breaths or a hug from a loved one might be the best form of self-care! It’s important not to overlook your emotional and mental health. You’re a whole being – mind, body, and spirit-treating your health with that in mind is essential.