While this classic scene from Parks n Rec is a funny one, the value and reality of self-care is far too often overlooked. We get busy with way too many Zoom calls, running errands, home schooling, health issues, and everything else 2020 has chosen to throw at us unexpectedly. Whatever your daily tasks are these days, you’re probably burned out and running on empty quite a bit. Time isn’t always an easily obtained commodity recently, but you absolutely have to find time to step away from the demands and expectations of the world and everyone around you and “treat yourself”! There are a lot of great analogies to hammer home this point, but one in particular that seems to make the most sense is that you can’t pour from an empty vessel. We all want to be there for everyone in our lives all of the time for anything they need. But sometimes, you run out of anything to give when you don’t include yourself in that list of important people to care for. Believe it or not, it’s not your sole responsibility to put everyone else’s needs before your own all of the time. So here are some things you can do to help recharge and de-stress.
PHYSICAL:
Go for a walk
Get a massage
Work out
Hike
Swim
Clean or reorganize a room
Take a bath
Take a nap
MENTAL:
Read a book
Break out crayons/pencils and color/draw
Turn your phone off
Remove toxic platforms, opinions, and people from your inner circle
Practice saying “no”
EMOTIONAL:
Meditate
Pray
Talk to a friend
Journal
Write down things you’re thankful for
Listen to music
This list is just a small set of ideas to get your mind thinking. The point is to do something for YOURSELF that brings YOU joy. Then after you’ve taken a moment to recharge, recenter, and refill, you can put your cape back on and be the hero 🎶 your day, your week, your month, or even your year 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 🎶 needs you to be.