Women. We just do it all, don’t we? Not only do we bring home the bacon (and cook it too!), we find the time to manage a budding social life, pursue our career aspirations, devote our time to noteworthy causes, become romantically involved and still manage to look halfway decent! It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it! All the while that we’re taking care of everything and everyone, there’s one person that’s often forgotten about in the process–US!
Self-care is so important, and no, I’m not just saying that because Solange wrote a song about it on her critically acclaimed album, A Seat At the Table, which is dope by the way. I say that because it’s true! Think about it like this, how on Earth can we care for anyone else if we’re not taking care of ourselves? It’s tough, but self-care is one of my top personal goals this year and it should be yours too! Here are a few ways in which we can all practice a little #SelfCare:
1. Sip Tea!
In this day and age of 24/7 celebrity news and gossip, the term “sipping tea” has taken on a whole new meaning. Now, if that’s what relaxes you, then by all means, indulge honey! I would be lying if I said I didn’t partake myself but this is not the type of tea sipping I’m referring to.
Drinking hot tea has become an important part of my day. It helps relax me in a way that I never knew it could! I’ll have a cup of tea in the morning at work, while I’m doing homework for a class and occasionally before I go to bed at night. Sometimes I’ll add in a lemon wedge and honey if I’m feeling real fancy but most of the time plain old sugar will do.
2. Take a bubble bath!
Long gone are the days of sitting in the bath tub until your fingertips become wrinkly and prune-like! Oh what I wouldn’t give to have my childhood back! Whether it’s work or school, it seems that I’m always on the go, so showers are more my thing. But I recently decided to unwind from a long day by taking a nice, warm bubble bath. Soaking in the bathtub really allows you the chance to just be alone with your thoughts. It’s a great way to soothe your body of aches and pains, plus it does wonders on my skin. I come out of the water feeling like a brand new person.
3. Disconnect from the world! (That includes social media too!)
There’s soo much going on in the world and thanks to social media, it’s playing out like a bad horror film right before our very eyes. Just when you thought you’ve heard it all, here comes another story that’s even more depressing than the last. Is there no rest for the weary? When I’ve had just about all I can take, I simply log off. It’s truly is empowering to be able to do so, seeing as how our devices pretty much rule us.
But that’s not all. I love my friends. Absolutely adore them in different ways but sometimes I find that I have to disconnect in that way, too. By day, I’m a telephone operator and what that means to an outsider looking in is that I sit on my butt all day, watching stories and stuffing my face. What it means to me is that I am a professional problem solver and an excellent listener. But after answering 400+ calls a day, my brain is completely fried and I’m all “listened” out. The last thing I want to do is talk on the phone but I find that I try to anyway because, you want to be there for your girls, right? One thing that I’m learning how to do is not to jump straight on the phone as soon as I get home, at least not for a few hours. I take that time to clear my head from a long stressful day. Just me, myself and I.
4. Get Active!
People seem to think that just because I’m small that I don’t need to be physically active, which couldn’t be further from the truth! Thin does not equal healthy people! We all need to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle, no matter the size! Even if it’s for a few minutes a day. Everything is online nowadays! Workout routines too! There are so many workouts available online that are tailored to accommodate even the busiest individual. I’m talking eight, five, even three minute workouts!
Another great thing about working out, aside from the health benefits are the outfits! Adore Me, has a new active wear line that is not only affordable but cute too. What I like most about it is that it takes prints and textures that we wear everyday, like florals, lace and mesh and incorporates them to create some trendy pieces! These sets alone are motivation enough to get fit! Take a look!
5. Pray/Meditate
Some call it prayer, others call it meditation. Whichever name you prefer, having an active prayer life is key to having a great life overall. Just having faith that there is a higher power watching, protecting and waiting for us to communicate with Him so that He can fight our battles is what really gets me through most days. The great thing about it is that you don’t have to do it alone. There is power in numbers. Join a prayer circle at a local church, a prayer conference call on the phone or online, or even with your loved ones. It’ll make a big difference in your life!
I hope you’ve found these tips to be helpful! Here’s to taking care of ourselves in 2017!
– A Black Girl About Town!
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A Black Girl About Town 