Why is Self-care a thing??
Tulsa Health Coach understands that the concept of self-care began in some dark and unpopular places in our history including slavery, civil rights movements, and struggles for empowerment. During the era of slavery, many thought that immigrants and slaves alike were incompetent. Therefore, they would never be able to take care of themselves in any capacity. This ideology continued an oppressive reign through the civil and women’s rights movement in the late 60’s to early 70’s. Self-care then morphed from basic hygiene and health care to a political act. Suppressed groups rejected this bias philosophy by empowering themselves to be their own saviors. Health clinics, support programs, articles, and blogs, denounced the idea of dependence on the mainstream medical, populations, or programs to further prove minorities, immigrants, and women were capable of self-care. This is a HUGE thing. Self-care migrated from a discriminatory ideology (pre-1960), to a political stance (late 60’s – 70’s), to an actual concept recognized by the medical community along with “wellness” (80’s), to a buzzword/political act as of late (specifically after 9/11 with a significant rise after the election of 2016), and it is not losing steam.
What is Self-care??
Self-care is how you express love for yourself physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. For some, this may mean hiding in your closet for 2 minutes to eat the last brownie or taking that extra long shower so you can shave AND wash your hair. For others, this could be experienced in those few precious minutes after putting your car in park at home and taking some deep breaths before entering the beautiful chaos of family. Self-care also includes your health and Health Coach Tulsa coaching packages fall in this category. As well as going to the dentist regularly, get your preventative, milestone exams done, eat wisely, get adequate movement in your day, and get plenty of rest. Let’s go ahead and add the practice stress reduction. Don’t worry! You don’t have to sit criss-cross applesauce with your eyes closed until you reach enlightenment or your knees lock up. Pretty sure we all know which would happen first. However, there are many simple acts of kindness you can practice for yourself that do not take much time like being mindful in the moment or deep breathing. Here is a great list to get you started on practicing self care right now.
Why should this be YOUR thing?? Health Coach Tulsa has several reasons!
- Self-care makes you more productive. It is OK to say NO! Reducing commitments can promote remaining present in the moment and increase productivity.
- Boosts your immune system. The many different acts of self-care initiate a movement from the Sympathetic Nervous System (Fight or Flight) to Parasympathetic (Rest and Recover). This allows our bodies to create defenses against nasty germs we come in contact with every day.
- You will have more to give others. You are only given so much fuel to navigate each day. If you use all your fuel for work or additional responsibilities and never refuel through the day, your tank is empty to fuel the participation within relationships that are important to you. Self-care is your ability to refuel!
- Increased optimism and hope. When your focus changes to finding little ways to love yourself presently, you will reduce your worry for future responsibilities. You will also feel more energized to manage them.
- Lessened emotional reactivity. Self-care allows you to nourish your own emotional needs and become secure in your emotional boundaries. This security will keep you grounded in your response to others or situations. Let’s face it…we can’t control everything, but we can control our response!
- Increased self compassion. Recognizing that you are important enough to experience peace will empower you to accept you are not the sum total of your mistakes. Give yourself a break…You are doing the best you can!
Where do you start??
Anywhere that feels good to you! Clients with Health Coach Tulsa explore any option that creates a “value added” scenario to their lives. These options have ranged from listening to a favorite podcast regularly to taking their dog for a walk. Some chosen self-care options chosen were expensive and some required zero financial investment. The beauty of this design is you create it for your self! Here are several other options that have provided “value added” experiences in Health Coach Tulsa lives:
- Take a nap
- Sit in nature
- Buy some flowers
- Go to the Farmer’s Market
- Give Thanks
- Do some gentle stretches
- Put on some music and dance
- Read or watch something funny
- Turn off all electronics
- Write in a journal (Gratitude Journaling)
- Meditate
- Light a candle
- Take a bath
- Call a friend
- Write a letter
- Organize a space
Write it Down!
Once your self-care option is chosen, plug it into your schedule. The act of protecting time for your chosen activity solidifies your commitment to the activity and begins to cultivate respect from anyone else your schedule impacts. My husband knows to not engage me in the morning until my first cup of coffee is in and my bible is closed. My quiet and centering time in the morning is protected to add value to each and every day. Ultimately, the people and relationships around me reap the benefits of my increased value due to the investment in my own self-care. Writing the activity and time down also helps communicate expectations for yourself and others which begins to diffuse the stress associated with change.
Stay curious my friends and protect your time and self-care choices because it is a matter of your health!