These are most definitely stressful times. There is work pressure, life pressure, family pressure, and the world around us pressure, which grows as quickly as the pile of unpaid bills and our to-do lists.
We begin to feel anxious, tired, stressed, and sometimes depressed. We are so busy caring for others that we neglect ourselves.
We ask ourselves how we will get out of this seemingly endless situation. Our first instinct is to take care of others and forget ourselves. However, similar to airplane emergency oxygen masks, where the instructions lead you to secure your mask before helping others, you will not be much help for your loved ones unless you do something for yourself first. Yes, it is that important.
This theory has proven itself over and over again. The key to stress reduction is allowing ourselves to indulge in small, selfish, necessary pleasures.
These stress reducers need not cost anything, and it’s not as selfish as it seems.
Actions like these are about self-love and kindness.
Taking care of oneself makes you feel better about life in general, but it also empowers and enables us to perform other tasks more effectively and with more passion.
This is essential because it reminds us not to neglect our own needs.
I have found that so much of my anxiety and self-doubt was when I was feeling insecure and neglected. When I remember to take care of myself, this feeling goes away. I think it is because I am taking control of what I can do something about.
And it’s not just about great skincare or the perfect body scrub. 😂 It’s about inner calm, mental happiness, and overall peace and contentment with ourselves.
It’s a win/win situation!
Small acts of self-love include:
• Taking one day a week to go to bed earlier or to sleep in, even if only for an additional 15 minutes
• Spending a minute or two and jotting down your feelings in a self-empowering “notes to self” type journal
• Taking a short, brisk walk as often as possible, actually absorbing and appreciating your surroundings
• Petting a beloved animal for a full 5 minutes
• Sitting outside, or by the window, with a steaming cup of something, watching the world go by and feeling good about having stepped off its whirlwind for a full 10 minutes
• Calling a loved one just to say hello, making sure you only discuss happy things
• Cooking a healthy dinner with family or friends and making it a joy, not a chore
• Watching a situation comedy just for the laugh of it
• Enjoying a longer than usual bath or shower, maybe with some music playing, and pampering yourself with a treatment that will invigorate, smooth, and soothe your skin and body. We have just the pampering products you need for this treat here!
More pricey, but wonderfully fantastic stress reducers are:
• Facials and massages. The ultimate treat
• A night or two at a beautiful resort
• Shopping at a small business. It may cost a little more than the big box stores, but the experience will be worth it
• Going to a movie, theater production, or museum
• Lunch or dinner out with close family members or friends
No matter which small pleasure we choose to indulge in, the result will be the same.
Being good to yourself encourages feelings of self-worth, self-renewal, self-awareness, and self-love that will in turn translate to a better, more productive, and ready-to-face it attitude.
The world right now with its never-ending stream of stuff will constantly be thrown at us without explanation or warning, and there is not much that can be done about the majority of it.
Our reactions to it, however, are the only thing we have control of, so if we allow ourselves the selfish little moments along the way, we will all face our challenges with a lot less stress.
….ahhhh
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