When we fly the flight attendant tells us in the event of an emergency place your mask on first and then assist others. Self-care first is not just in case of an emergency! Self-care should be part of our daily routine, but too often it is not.
I used to think that self-care was about personal hygiene, but it is not. Nor is it one size fits all. It does however include proper rest, nutrition, exercise, but most important is about doing things for yourself that bring you joy and rejuvenate you physically and mentally. It can be journaling, spending time with friends, reading, dancing, meditation, etc. I think you get the idea.
This month as I have been focusing on pursuing kindness I realized that kindness need to be focused inward as well as outward. I need to be kind to myself as I set the tone of how others treat me. When I am not kind to myself and my focus is on taking care of others my reserves got low, I burnt out.
This morning as I was mowing our lawn (which I love to do) I once again remembered how important nature is to my self-care. When I was a child I would lay in the grass and recharge. It wasn’t until 15 or so years ago that I learned about grounding. (Grounding refers to connecting with the Earth’s surface electrons by walking barefoot outside, laying or sitting in the grass that transfer the energy from the ground into the body.)
I was then prompted to record a Release and Receive Grounding to share.
Essential Oils is also part of my daily self-care. They are key to supporting my emotional and physical well-being. doTerra Balance Grounding Bend is key to my daily self-care routine. I place it on my feet each morning to support my grounding. I also use Frankincense daily to support my prayer and meditation. With essential oils I am able to support my emotions aromatically throughout the day.
Having a AM/PM routine that includes self-care scheduled is what I find works best for me. Here just a sample:
The key to self-care is finding what you need to rejuvenate physically and mentally and how best to make it part of your routine. Don’t try to make drastic changes all at once or you will not stick to it.
As I take care of myself first with proper rest, nutrition, exercise, and fun, I have more to give others. Therefore, self-care first is not just in case of an emergency!
Beyond Possibilities 
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