Tuesday’s Tip: End Stinking Thinking

Living Self-Care: Our Minds

Equally important to nourishing our bodies, is thinking  that promotes health and well-being.  As it says in the Bible, “As a man thinketh, so doth he become.”

 Healthy Thinking strategies include:

1.  Monitor Self-Talk: Be aware of your internal dialogue.  Research shows that the more negative your thinking about yourself and your life, the worse you’ll feel.  Because your mind and body is connected, chronic negative thinking often leads to emotional and physical health problems.
2. Don’t Take Things Personally: This suggestion comes from Don Miguel Ruiz’es The Four Agreements and is frequently the root of feeling bad.  Realize that most of the time other people’s sour moods and unkind actions are not because of you but because of what they’re going through.  You are not to blame so don’t dwell on it.
3. Don’t Make Assumptions: This is also from The Four Agreements.  How many times have you felt hurt or angry imagining what you thought someone said or intended and it’s not what they meant?   Stop assuming and ask for clarification.
4. Release Self–Criticism: Women are frequently harder on themselves than anyone else.  Be-friend yourself instead.  Notice your successes and strengths.  If you make a mistake, forgive yourself like you would a friend.
5. Stop Worrying: In the words of the Dali Lama, “No good comes from worrying.  If there’s something you can do about a situation, do it.  If there’s nothing you can do about, worrying will only make you feel bad.”

It’s Monday. Let the Challenge Begin!

Living Self-Care: Our Bodies

The first step in practicing self-care is making our health and well-being a priority.  To start, make certain that your body is well-nourished and well-rested to supply you with energy needed for daily living. 

Body Basics for physical health and vitality:

1. Nutrition.  Eat at regular intervals to keep your body fueled.  Substitute more frequent healthy snacks if there isn’t time for a full meal.   Consume food mindfully for optimal nourishment without distractions like TV, cell-phones, etc.  Eat healthy 75% of the time.
2. Sleep.  Research shows that adults need 8-9 hours of sleep a night to stay sharp mentally and maintain strong immunity.  It is equally important to make time before bed to quiet your mind rather than working until your head hits the pillow.  Lack of restful sleep intensifies many physical and emotional health conditions.
3. Physical Activity.  Recent studies indicate there are many successful ways to achieve this.  Depending on preference, you can exercise 15-20 minutes daily or for an hour 3-4 times a week.  A combination of cardio, strength, and flexibility is best but any movement is better than none.
4. Rest.  Take breaks.  Periods of activity/energy expenditure require periods of recuperation.  Our bodies aren’t designed to run full-tilt 24/7.
5. Stress. Be aware of physical signs of stress: muscle tension, headaches, and GI symptoms.  If these occur, do something restorative-nap, workout, read, jounal, or whatever soothes you.  Prevent stress from compromising and ultimately ruining your health before symptoms get worse.      

    Visit our contest and challenge champion pages.

Countdown to Self-Care Contest/Challenge May 2-6

Win this prize

It’s Monday and you know what that means.  Yes, you’re right.  Only seven days  until the start of our Mother’s Day Self-Care Contest/Challenge on May 2.  We’re excited and hope you are too about the chance to win fabulous prizes and get great self-care tips for creating a life filled with health and happiness.

If you’ve been following us, then hopefully you’ve discovered the importance of making self-care part of your daily/weekly routine.  As Ann and I say, you have to keep your emotional pitcher full to maintain a sane and satisfying life.  Self-care is the only way we know to survive and thrive as a mom, wife, daughter, friend, and woman.  For more thoughts on emotional health, self-care and motherhood, preview our new book Life Will Never Be the Same: The Real Mom’s Postpartum Survival Guide.

If you’re just joining us or not fully convinced of the importance of self-care, here’s some food for thought.   According to Wikipedia, self-care is personal health maintenance.  Research is clear that the regular practice of self-care contributes to optimal physical and mental health. As the existence of a Wikipedia entry and 156 million Google hits suggest, self-cae is readily endorsed as key in living a well-balanced life. Nevertheless, self-care works its way to last on the list in the busy lives of most women.

Let’s resolve for one week to make self-care a priority.  The tips take 15 minutes or less, a small investment for a large return.  Join us May 2-6.  You’ll be glad you did!