You are rather important aren’t you??

Remember, you are your own best investment. Invest in yourself and your lifestyle. Quality of life is a key component in finding joy and maintaining self-confidence.” ~Akiroq Brost

Stress and burn-out happens to everyone in each facet of life. How does that happen? I use to think it was selfish to prioritize my needs over the needs of others so therefore I would often sacrifice my own well-being to take care of others. Chances are … I was doing more harm then good. Not only to myself but to the ones I loved the most. 

But… I am learning to say No. That is not always easy for me. Women and Mom’s in general are known to put others first and saying no is not always easy but ... it is necessary! It’s necessary in order not to have a complete burnout or .... a melt down which can often lead to a state of depression.

I’m learning what self care means and the importance of it. It’s important to find out what makes us happy. Self care is an individual thing for each of us. It’s really ok to do things that make us happy. Make yourself a priority. Sometimes we forget to ask ourselves the most obvious questions, like “Am I tired?”, “Do I need to take a nap”,  “Am I happy”?  I need to constantly tell myself … its ok to take a nap. It’s ok if I haven’t been productive today. Can you relate?

In the busyness of life we often forget our passion. We forget what makes us smile. Making time for US is ok and... really really important.

When's the last time you did something for you? When’s the last time you had an uncontrollable belly laugh with a friend? When is the last time you had “Me time” or when you just did what you wanted to do? Maybe Nothing.

 If we want to keep our sanity, sometimes we have to learn how to slow down and really enjoy life. We have to savor those fleeting moments. We really do need to just stop and smell the roses. When was the last time you did something just for you?

My line of work require me to be at my computer for hours at a time but ... when I need to clear my head ... I head for the creek. It's my happy place. It's where I intentionally breath in fresh air. 

I put my phone away and it's then ... that I'm more keenly aware of the birds chirping their beautiful melodies. Listening to the sound of water where my grandkids built dams and ... simply just enjoying the sounds of nature is very therapeutic. Being Still! Being present. This is self care. 

How often are we truly present in our lives? It's hard, Isn't it? We have so many things to do, places to be and people to see.

We all know that we should slow down and enjoy life more. We may try for a little while, but then we’re off to the races again, filling our lives with more busyness and distractions. 

By slowing down, we can feel the emotions we are experiencing and we can describe them. We have more clarity, We make better decisions and we are happier and healthier.

 When’s the last time you stopped to enjoy the moment?

               Doing something you are passionate about can be self care…

My passion is creating beauty out of junk. Finding an old dilapidated piece of furniture that had seen it’s best day …and only to be found on a heap of trashmakes my heart race.

For many years I owned and managed “The Cottonwood House” A shop where the old and new met. Vintage decor, beautiful painted furniture, accessories, and unique finds filled the old barn.

 I spent countless hours with a paint brush in hand and hand painted hundreds of pieces of furniture. Turning trash into beauty. To me it was hours of therapeutic therapy where my creative juices flowed freely. Even though it was physical and hard work, it was my ‘Happy Place’ and to me it was self care.

Coffee Shops are my jam! 

Meeting with a friend over a good cup of coffee and great conversation is often just what the Dr. ordered and it's great emotional therapy. I need to be intentional and put it on my calendar, other wise it's just not going to happen. 

• A hot drink relaxes the muscles, while caffeine makes the mind more receptive, communicative, and open to positive emotions.
• As you share your first laugh with your friend, the endorphins do the rest of the work: you start feeling better and your problems suddenly seem more relative.

                                       Another Passion of mine is Decorating and Decor…

Your home should reflect your personality and be decorated in a way that it can actually be lived in and not look like a magazine or be ... “off limits.” 

Fresh flowers provide a natural aesthetic beauty that soothes and is known to lower levels of stress and anxiety. Going to my gardens and finding wild ferns in the woods is a form of therapy and self care for me.The aroma of flowers fills the air and adds beauty to our home. 

I often rearrange my furniture because it allows me to be creative and it has a way of lifting my mood. 

It’s inportant to make my home a place of peace and calm. I usually have my diffuser with essential oils running pretty much 24/7.

                                     Gardening ... Mowing the lawn.

Yes, believe it or not I find mowing the yard or weed eating is very therapeutic for me. 

There are few natural joys in life like inhaling the scent of freshly cut grass.

 It's true, Australian researchers have discovered that when grass is cut, it releases chemicals that make people feel happy and relaxed. And how about this, it can help prevent the mental decline of old age.

Keeping our vegetable garden free of weeds has become a new, fun and relaxing therapeutic therapy for me.

 I know... really? 

Did you know digging, gardening and yard work is not only great physical exercise but simulates our brains and releases happy hormones. It helps to release levels of serotonin and dopamine, both hormones associated with happy feelings and our levels of cortisol decrease which reduces our stress. For me it's another form of self care.