COMMIT TO SELF-CARE

Here are some self care ideas for things you can do today to take better care of YOU.

Check out the following tips to incorporate self-care practices your daily & weekly routines to help you stay healthy & sane this month.

1. Wake-up a bit early to get a jumpstart on the day- Get up at least 30 minutes to an hour earlier than everyone else in your household – use this time to work on your goals & dreams or self-care. Read a book, read the bible, meditate, workout, write. Find an hour in your day out of 24 total hours for you. Taking this time says that you value self-care. This may mean going to bed earlier. *Please note: This does not apply to parents with babies or night shift workers. Just sleep as much as you need. There will come a day when your baby starts sleeping more and you can then incorporate this extra hour into your morning routine.
2. Get sweaty – Do something active EVERYDAY for a minimum of 30 minutes per day. We aren’t made to sit all day and so many of us are hunched over computers & screens all day. Do an online workout (tons of free ones on youtube), make a date to walk at lunch with a friend, take the family on a post-dinner bike ride, schedule a yoga class. I also love working at my standing desk for at least half the day with my varidesk standing desk setup.
3. Break a habit – Give up one category of unhealthy food for 30 days (eg. diet soda, fried foods or baked goods). In 30 days it becomes a habit and your body will no longer crave it. Work on removing one unhealthy food group per month. Don’t cheat.
4. Water – Drink half your body weight in oz. of water per day. For example if you weigh 140 lbs you need to drink at least 70 oz of water a day. I like to fill up a big glass container in the fridge every other day and refill my water bottle a few times of day.
5. Date Night – Schedule a date night once a week (or at a minimum once per month) – with your partner/spouse, with a dear friend or with yourself. Get out of the house and take a break. *Again this is tricky if you have little ones – we are fortunate to be at a stage where we no longer need expensive babysitters. If there is money in the budget for a sitter see if they can come one night a week (weeknights are generally less expensive for sitters and less crowded at restaurants). Or see if you can trade with babysitting with another couple. Often times we’ll just go for a hike or bike ride and pack a picnic. Just something to break up the daily routine a bit makes such a huge difference.
6. Practice gratitude – This can take on any form you want. It could be during your morning meditation practice or in a journal at the end of the day. But naming 3 things you are grateful for that day is key in appreciating and thriving in life.
7. Drink a green smoothie everyday – I have a #fab4smoothie almost everyday. Get a dose of greens, protein, fiber & fat. Join in on our 30 days of Green Smoothie challenge (download the plan on our website).
8. Family Dinners – This time together is so important and it’s a non-negotiable in our house. Even if we have to eat later once everyone is home we eat together or say no to holiday party invites. Ps. the kids help either with meal prep or clean up. There are no phones at dinner and we all share our highs & lows & funniest thing that happened that day & something we are grateful for and excited for.
9. Phone Free Bedrooms – Don’t bring your phone into the bedroom – Snuggles > Scrolling. Enough said.
10. Sleep – While on the sleep note, it’s so important to get 7-8 hours a sleep a night. There is so much research that shows lack of sleep negatively affecting performance, physical health & mental well-being. Again, this may mean going to bed earlier. I aim to be in bed by 10pm (if not earlier).