This past week has been emotionally and physically draining dealing with Hurricane Milton. The preparation, the worry, stress, fear and the cleanup. It’s exhausting. All that aside, we also must keep moving forward and play catch up with all our regular life chores, obligations and demands. You may not realize all the juggling you do to organize and complete the items you need to accomplish daily, weekly, monthly. Even if you are not working any longer, you may find yourself busy. My brother, who retired at age fifty, told me he didn’t know how he got everything done when he was working. But we do and somehow things fall into place as we rearrange our priorities.
We all face trauma, adversity, and other stresses. Each of these changes will affect people differently. Each will trigger our emotions or bring uncertainty. We all adapt over time to life changes and build resilience. According to the Mayo Clinic, resilience means being able to cope with tough events. When something bad happens, you still feel anger, grief, and pain. But you’re able to keep going, both physically and psychologically.
Increasing your resilience takes time and you need to be consistent. Four core components include—connection, wellness, healthy thinking, and meaning—can empower you to withstand and learn from difficult and traumatic experiences. These include things like building bonds with others, finding purpose, having a positive outlook, and taking care of yourself.
How often do you allow yourself to rest? Do you find time to unwind and relax? We rarely realize what we need to restore our energy, and because we have so many responsibilities, we forget or put off our needs. What you may not know is that self-care is important for stress management. Stress can deplete us physically and emotionally. You may experience burn-out, exhaustion, depression or anxiety. Self-care is not about bubble baths and massages, but about being a better caregiver to your health and well-being.
Why? Benefits for pampering yourself include less stress, better physical and emotional health and filling up your body, mind and spirit. A few other benefits include:
Reduces Anxiety
Increases Self Confidence
Benefits Everyone Around You
Improves Feelings of Well Being and Worthiness
Improves Resilience
Helps with Better Sleep
Improved Focus
Boost Your Immune System
Increase Productivity
Need some Self-Care ideas?
Breathe in fresh air.
Sit outdoors by a fire pit, watching the flames and listening to the night sounds.
Cuddle with a pet.
Stare up at the sky.
Listen to music.
Garden.
Do a craft project.
Try a new activity.
Immerse yourself in a crossword puzzle.
Light a candle.
Write in a journal.
List five things you’re grateful for.
Try yoga.
Go for a walk or a run.
Go for a bike ride.
Take a nap.
Takw part in a book club.
Find a little time for yourself and see what benefits you feel by replenishing your body, mind, and spirit.
“Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.”— Eleanor Brownn
Robin Anne Griffiths, E-RYT 200, YACEP * Behavioral Change Specialist * Yoga Instructor * Meditation Facilitator * Personal Trainer * Author * Speaker *
