“Self Care is the way in which you show yourself love and is then manifested in intentional actions.” Self-Care can be any healthy habit that is solely for the improvement of your well-being. As black women, it is so important for us to prioritize our health and wellness since we spend so much time pouring into others. As millenials, we have a tendency to overwork as we pursue our goals but we must also realize that rest and self-care is part of the process to accomplish our goals. See below a few tips on how I maintain an intentional self-care routine.
Have a meaningful breakfast
Take a little extra time in the morning to set intentions and good vibes for the day. For me, that includes listening to affirmations as I get ready for my day. I eat a healthy breakfast, usually oatmeal with fruit and chia seeds, I check into my daily shine app to review the topic of the day and read the suggested articles. I love how this app encourages me to note what I’m grateful for each day and what I’m going to do today to feel good or practice self-care.
Exercise
My favorite form of exercise includes practicing yoga twice a week. According to WebMD “regular exercise has been proven to reduce stress, ward off anxiety and depression, boost self-esteem and improve sleep.” Exercise is key to a healthy lifestyle and is also a great way to honor your body. I love my yoga practice because it’s a great way to stretch my body and also sync my mind and body by forcing me to be present and to listen to what my body is telling me.
Take Care of your Skin
I’m not sure about you, but doing a face mask always puts me in a better mood especially considering the benefits of glowing healthy skin afterward. I have a practice of applying a face mask twice a week, in addition to my daily skincare routine of cleanser, toner, moisturizer and acne spot treatment. Recently, I have been using several products from the Garnier SkinActive line, I love that most of the ingredients are all natural. I learned from my MaryKay days to use products from the same line as they are designed to be used together.
Keep a Journal
For some writing may seem like tedious work but for me, writing out my feelings in a journal has been a great tool for me to understand my emotions better. Once a week, I take a few moments to meditate and clear my head, then I write in my journal, how I’m feeling about different things going on in my life. I also write notes of affirmations to myself, as I deal with tough situations. If you’re not sure where to begin, with journaling, use this journal prompt: what activities can I add to my routine that makes me feel happy, healthy and whole?
Self-care is the act of pouring back into yourself by doing activities that make you feel whole. Your self-care practice will look different from mine as we are all uniquely different and what works for me may not work for you. Therefore your self-care routine must be personal and intentional to your lifestyle and the things that bring you joy. Creating a self-care routine will allow you to keep a regular self-care practice in place without adding an extra column to your planner. What activities are part of your self-care routine?
I like to take a few minutes to meditate in the morning before I jump into my day. I also feel better when I eat healthy for breakfast. I like making fruit smoothies with healthy ingredients.
Meditation and eating healthy are great self-care practices to keep your body feeling its best!