Creative, Connected Self Care

Most self care materials are related to how you manage your own needs when taking care of others, especially when other people are ill or incapacitated. Since there are so many resources out there already related to that angle, this article fleshes out the idea of self care in a couple of directions. The first relates to how we creatively care for ourselves when we are feeling full, luscious, and charged with energy. I love it when I wake up and for no apparent reaso
I feel on top of the world! It inspires me to make a special morning beverage, do a long glorious stretch to the sky, or hug my daughter with extra energy. I know that the more we fully engage in that positive energy charge, the longer it lasts and the more we spread it to others. Try to think of yourself in an overflowing, positive frame of mind and imagine what you would do…can you feel your energy flowing and your muscles relaxing?

Secondly, research has shown that just watching a person do something nice for someone else increases the release of positive chemicals from the brain and our energy goes up. The opposite is also true where seeing negative things either causes our brains to go into neutral or causes stress-related responses. So whether we are watching those around us or watching ourselves, we cannot help but be affected on multiple levels. Our attitudes are incredibly important so the next time you take a few extra minutes of sleep, get your hair cut, or go running try to stay in the flow of positivity—watch yourself taking good care and let the positive juju flood you as if you were seeing someone else that you love being tended by a gentle, loving caregiver. It makes it more likely that you will get the maximum benefits from your efforts and have more left over to share. We have the power to author our own narrative about self care!

In sum, self care is not just for those who are formal caregivers. All of us care for others in our life through our work, families, pets, and friends. We must be careful not to add self care to our “to do” list where it becomes charged with “should” energy. Be clear and be spontaneous—give yourself little boosts when that mischievous energy sneaks in or when you just want to hug a tree, kiss a flower, or nuzzle a peach. Your daily self care can be as creative and loving as you are!