how to embrace self-care this week (including ideas)

Making Time for Self-Care

Would you love extra “you-time” this week? You might say, “Erin, but I don’t have time for that.” And I would say, “Beloved friend, you can not afford to NOT take time for you.” Treat yourself how you would treat your best friend. Would you encourage them to take time for themselves if they would benefit from it? Besides, the best way to live is as IF we ARE our best friend anyway. There is beauty in that.

Your self-care time could be five minutes, an hour, or an all day event. It is 100% up to you.

Taking Action for What is Important

This week I want to keep things simple by giving you a list of ideas for self-care. Choose 1 action you can take this week to pour time and energy into your own life. Not pouring more into work. Not pouring more into your family. Not pouring more into the expectations of the world. You have done quite enough of that this week. Let’s allow and welcome the opportunity to pour time and energy into you!

After you pick an action, email me and tell me which one. I would love to cheer you on! This would make my day, seriously. And last, but not least, choose a deadline. When will you plan to do this by? Or pick a day and time to take your action. No matter what your goals are, they are not truly empowered until you have a date next to it. It’s time to power-up and take added charge of your results!

Empowering Self-Care Options

• Dance to your three favorite songs. A study in 2008 shows, “dance, essentially—constitutes a “pleasure double play.” Music stimulates the brain’s reward centers, while dance activates its sensory and motor circuits.” Need I say more?
• What is your all-time favorite hobby? The one collecting dust maybe. And do it!
• Ride your bicycle or walk for 30 minutes. Exercise does wonders for your body and mind!
• Write yourself a love note. It may sound cheesy! But it is guaranteed to make you smile. And put it on your mirror to see everyday.
• The stereotype, but take a hot bath with essential oils or bubbles. Light some candles. Play soft music. And enjoy!
• Plan a power-nap of 20 minutes. According to research, a power-nap “means more patience, less stress, better reaction time, increased learning, more efficiency, and better health.”
• Hit the weights and listen to music that pumps you up!
• Cook a meal with special ingredients or cook your favorite dish. And sit down and enjoy it just for you. Take time to eat and find a sacred time and place to do this. Maybe light some candles.
• Read a good book. If you don’t have one, get a kindle or audible version quickly and easily and make it happen.
• Call a trusted friend and let them know you would love to have them listen for 15 minutes of uninterrupted speaking as you pour out your thoughts. This could be a great time for you to work through something by speaking it out loud.
• Come up with your own special occasion for self-care. Get creative!

Keep it Going

The great thing is that this can be a one-time event, or you can dedicate time each week for extra self-care. You have a lot of great options to work with. By taking time to re-coop during a long week, you are sending the signal to your subconscious that you are worth the time, energy, and love that you are giving yourself. And this will open the doors for more of these wonderful goodies and blessings to show up in your life – through yourself and others.

Enjoy your self-care that is well deserved.