Mind, Body and Self-Care
First off, take a few minutes. Just stare at this picture and focus only on your breathing. Slowly breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth, five times. Do you feel more relaxed? I hope so. That is one of the many great and easy relaxation tips you can use when you get to feeling a little overwhelmed. Let’s talk about our mind, body and self-care.
It should be noted I am not a therapist, or a doctor. I’m just someone whom has had many moments of overwhelm, anxiety and trauma to get through. And of course there’s no guarantee what I share that has helped me will help you. But if you are like me, it may be worth a shot. You’re the one that will need to decide what is worth trying.
Nevertheless I am here anyway, sharing my raw and painful moments of my life and what I’ve learned in their aftermath. Additionally for me writing is active therapy, with each and every page. And this is all part of a healthy mind, body and self-care. Altogether even if I can help just one person, or help make one person to feel that they are not alone in their circumstances, than I am a success!
When Life Happens
Previously, when I was 10 my mother moved away. My father was ill and very elderly and he ended up moving away when I was 12. Later he passed away at 14. I then lived with my older brother until 16 when I left. It wasn’t a good situation. After that I went to live with my elderly grandma until 17, when I moved away to go to Technical school.
At 21, I married my first husband, we were high school sweethearts and basically grew up together. He was my best friend. Continually he struggled with addiction and self-medicating to calm the demons of his past. Those were some of the hardest years of my life. We just didn’t have good tools for how to maneuver through something like that. We also had a miscarriage in-between my boys as well. Although many good things happened like the birth of my two healthy sons.
When my boys were 6 and 9, their dad, my husband decided he just could no longer fight. Sadly he lost his battle with his demons and he took his own life. That day is etched into my memory forever, where I was, what I was doing. A hole that will never be filled. To make matters worse, our minister took it upon himself to make his stand known about suicide during the funeral. Clearly I was so numb and horrified.
As time went by though, I found myself wanting companionship. The world had changed so much since I dated last. Twenty years had passed (7 years dating then married for almost 13). Consequently I fell victim to a con artist who had all the right things to say. Remember, do background checks my friends. At 40 I remarried and learned about blended families.
What I've Learned
“This too shall pass”! Truth, but it’s also a great book. Hard times do not last forever even though in the moment you feel it will. Pray a lot. Ask for help before you need it. Cherish every moment you have with loved one because you never know when it may be the last time you see them. You do not need to be strong all the time, cry, yell, punch a punching bag, just do whatever it takes to make it through. Always remember to give yourself time for your own self-care and mental health moments. Be kind and give yourself grace as you work your way through the tough moments of life.
If you are a care taker of little people in your home, you need to have a full cup in order to be the best mama you can be. Find something that gives YOU joy, not your hubby or kids or pets, YOU! And do that! It is not selfish to put yourself first once in a while, it actually helps you to be a better person, mom and wife. I wish I would’ve had someone giving me this advice, I just figured it out along this road called life, with lots of books and prayers. Maybe that’s why my genre for books is self-help.
I strongly believe that everything happens for a reason even the bad stuff. And consequently I do beleive that in every bad moment there’s something good. It may take us a week, a month or a year to figure out what it is, but I urge you to try to find it. Another great book for hard life seasons is The Invitation. This became a vital part of my healing. It is also in Audible version. I love to listen to books with Audible on long car rides.
Healthy Mind- Mind, Body and Self-Care
Firstly feed your mind. Listen to positive music, surround ourselves with uplifting people, read self-help books or anything you enjoy that helps you switch your mind from a negative mindset to a positive one. This can be difficult. And it will look different for all of us.
Secondly actually feed our mind, by eating well. Homemade, not pre-made or carb-loaded meals. Think of having a big meal of carb-loaded pasta, garlic bread and desert. How do you feel afterwards? Ready for a nap right! It just bogs down our brains.
Thirdly find something that you love to do, that brings you joy. By the same token, that it’s just for you, then do it. Think hard about this and check your thoughts, in order to make sure you are not doing it for you.
Fourthly give yourself time to process. For me exercise like running or walking helps me process. Plus exercise releases those feel good hormones. Finding it hard to process alone? Maybe find someone your trust to talk it out with. Such as a family member, friend, doctor or a therapist.
Healthy Body - Mind, Body & Self-Care
Feed your body means many things as well. Subsequently taking care of your mind and body go hand and hand, and self-care in mixed in as well.
First make time to exercise, yes I said make. We’re all busy so we just have to make time for what is best for us, our bodies and our mental health. There are several articles linking those together. My favorite free workouts are by Bodyfit by Amy. And as Amy says, if it’s not hard enough, up your weight. Personally I prefer to lift more weights to sculpt, over high intensity aerobic exercise. Your heart will still be pumping, just move your body!
Second, eat good food. By cooking in bulk, or meal prep, and making simple meals can help also. This will take effort because it’s easy to eat junk. Remember it takes about 20 days in order for anything to become easier. So stick with it! My favorite tips, tool and products can all be found at Cooking & Kitchen Gadgets. Also consider detoxing, more information below.
Third, drink plenty of water or healthy beverages. Cut out or down on caffeine and get the sleep we need instead. A general rule of thumb for water is; take your body weight, divide it in half and that’s how many ounces you should drink. Remove all sugar laden drinks from your life and with artificial sweeteners. My favorite natural sodas are Zevia. I have links on my page Gluten-Free Baking & Pantry Supplies.
Fourth, get plenty of sleep. Taking magnesium glycinate before bed has helped me to sleep better. Everyone is different, so I’d suggest going to Maria & Craig Emmerich for a consultation or supplement guides. They have a list for just about everything.
Healthy Self-Care - Mind, Body & Self-Care
Importantly we need to take care of ourselves by eating good homemade foods, drinking plenty of water, and getting enough sleep. But sometimes self-care is a mindset in a space, a place that’s peaceful, meditation, or just forgiving yourself for a mistake.
Perhaps try putting yourself first, for even just a few moments. This can be hard to not feel guilty about it. Nonetheless it is necessary to do. And try hard not to switch the guilty chatter in our minds to something positive. Occasionally setting boundaries with someone, or saying no, may be self-care. Possibly a hot bath, sauna, sitting on the front porch is self-care.
Try finding something you enjoy, that relaxes you or that you find as a treat. A guilty pleasure so to speak. Occasionally they can be things we buy, or have to pay for or maybe it just makes you feel better about yourself. Although self-care can be free.
Obviously things shouldn’t make us feel better about ourselves, but you know how you feel when you are rocking those new jeans, or a good hair day or new earrings etc. It just can’t only be external things. Particularity I find little rewards helpful to look forward to on a rough week. Everyone is different so find what is helpful for you.
Do Something That Makes You Feel Good
Undoubtedly I believe it’s good to do things that make us feel good. And it should be noted, don’t let others make you feel guilty for it either. Now this will look different for many of us. Maybe for you going out for lunch or dinner with friends or a date night. Some self-care may involve; a massage, infrared sauna session, a pedicure or an hour to ourselves. I find exercise a form of self-care and especially helpful during stressful times. Since these can help a healthy mind, body & self-care.
Lashes are one of my favorites, they make me feel good. Also it helps me get ready so much faster. I do it for me, no one else. Is it the healthiest self-care? My thoughts are; the glue is on the lashes. And I’m very careful to keep everything off my skin. Besides everyone’s opinion is different so you do you, and I’ll do me. If you love lashes too, check out our 20% off coupon below. Previously, I’ve tried other brands and I’ve found Lilac St. to work the best, feel the lightest and stay the longest. However I prefer the fusing wand from Lashify and their wandoms (condoms for your wand).
Additionally I feel as long as your self-care is not hurtful towards others and you understand what you’re doing and risks involved if any. For example; sky diving might be for you, and for me, I see that as too risky and I would never. And I hate heights. But for others it would make the list. Just be self-reflective and make sure you’re doing it with good intent for yourself.
Help Your Body Reduce Your Body Burden
No matter how careful we are, there still is a level of exposure to toxins out in the world. Some Chemicals have been known to stay in our bodies for over 50 years, from just one exposure. Here’s a great Article from the BBC.
That being said, you can only imagine the level of body burden we carry around. More articles on body burden are below in the clickable tabs. My Immunologist believes in detoxing with supplements. Hold on, before your run away these are supplements that will just help your organs detox, not run to the bathroom every 2 minutes.
Normally our bodies can detox on our own and if you choose that option, you do you. I do however prefer to take these supplements for about one month one to four times a year. Another option is to take a smaller dose daily for maintenance after a stretch of a deeper cleanse. Make sure to follow directions.
Obviously if you are on medication make sure these are safe for you by reading labels and consulting with your physician first. Lastly we all need to do what is best for each of us individually. To help achieve a healthy mind, body and self-care routine. Below I’ve shared the three recommended to me that I use and also the link to the website to read more information for you to research.
*All highlighted text and tabs have clickable links on this website. Some of the links commissions or other perks may be are earned. If you choose to use them, thank you for your support! This helps us continue to offer more content.
*We are not stating that any of this info will cure you of anything, but it just may help, so the choice is yours.
