We can all benefit from some Self- Care or "me time" 💝
It's essential for both our mental and physical health.
Me Time
Prepare a mask to set the tone
Paint toenails while chatting on the phone
Inhale lots of love Exhale the pain
Apply the warm butter to your frame
A daily dose of time with yourself
Make a date with the tonics on your shelf
Megan McKiernan 2024
I am not a healthcare professional. It's always a good idea to reach out to your family or Naturopath Doctor first before trying anything new.
Self-care and some quality "me time" have always been important to me. Practicing self-care has helped me to cope with anxieties, returning stress, genetics, trouble sleeping and so much more.
There's always hope. I'd love to help!
If you can relate and you're interested in practicing self-care, below I'm connecting self-care practices to your Body, Mind, and Spirit.
- Body Self-Care Body Mind and Spirit
Lotions and Potions
Everything I use is Vegan friendly. I recommend trying Vegan-friendly products. They're effective, good for the planet, and if you love animals it will help save their lives.
I've tried many many different types of lotions and potions to find I only care for a few.
But to be fair, I love my cats more than self-care products so I make sure to use only cat-friendly products. I cuddle, snuggle, pet and play with them so I have to be careful with what I use.
I don't have any fancy tips because I'd like to keep it practical since I'm very busy.
-Wash your face in the morning and before bed. Every single night.
-Get a deep clean with facial scrub twice a week
-Indulge your lovely face with a mask twice a week *Separate mask and scrub throughout the week. Especially if you have sensitive skin.
-Apply an oil to your face after every wash and smooth on a body butter. Preferably after a shower and or on moist skin.
Add anything you'd like that may work for you! Incorporating these things will help your body feel loved.
Diet
My diet is the result of my lifestyle, since being a Vegan isn't a diet it's just a bonus!
I LOVE food, especially salty food and bread.
I do have days where I fall off the wagon (usually at a vegan fast food restaurant) but for the most part, I do stay on track. Being healthy is important to me. I keep a food journal in my kitchen but I've combined it with my "to-dos". I find that sticking to eating pretty much the same things every day has helped me physically and emotionally. I recently realized the effect food has on my body and mind's health!
Diet is not the same for everyone, since everybody is different. It is however obvious that all our bodies need to be healthy to thrive. Remember this will take a lot of trial and error, and dedication and it's a huge learning curve but you won't regret it and I believe in you!
-Have a food journal to look at daily. Having one will help you to succeed. After a while, you'll feel a sense of pride looking through your achievements and you'll have a guide to not fall.
-Watch your salt/sodium intake. Write the amount of sodium in everything that you eat. You should not exceed 2,300mg per day
-Eat your veggies. Look through Pinterest and find out creative ways to add them to your diet.
-Enjoy fruit. Try something new
-Watch your sugar intake- Again write out the amount in your food journal. "Men should consume no more than 9 teaspoons (36 grams or 150 calories) of added sugar per day. Women should consume no more than 6 teaspoons (25 grams or 100 calories) per day" - American Heart Association
-For the woman reading, watch your "time of the month" and recognize any triggers. For me, this is the toughest time to make the right food choices. If you can win this war... you are strong and you're going to do great! In my opinion and experience, this is the toughest battle in keeping healthy and staying on track with self-care
-Have fun. Take a trip to your local bookstore and find a Healthy cookbook to set up in your kitchen to look through and to be inspired. Learn about health and find healthy food that makes you happy! Even the healthy food has yummy endless possibilities!!
Exercise
Practicing exercise is challenging, to say the least. I for the most part do what is needed. Would I like to exercise more? Yes! This practice I am learning right along with you. I have an elliptical that is snug in a corner, I believe that one cardio machine is all you need. Keep in mind you're doing this for health and to live life to the fullest as a happier you.
-Cardio workouts cover your whole body with everything it needs to flourish. Use a cardio machine (You don't necessarily need a machine at home but you do need to sweat to reach a Cardio Level) other ways of achieving Cardio are to go for a jog, speed walk, join a free online course or paid cardio program, Join a gym, take up a sport. There are so many things you can do to stay active and reach the cardio needed to get healthy.
-Invest in an exercise watch. I use a Fitbit and I love it. You can join a community to help keep you motivated and it's so nice to keep an online journal of your exercise history. It's very rewarding and it will give you a boost!
-Take a before photo (but always remember this isn't about what you look like) You'll be more likely to succeed if this is about the journey, your health, and seeing your body change is a kind reward of being healthier and feeling your best inside and out.
-Get outdoors for a walk or go for a bike ride. Depending on where you live and where you get snow, you can still walk in the snow, cross-country skiing etc.. Getting outdoors for a walk and finding time with nature in all seasons has been my go-to for self-care.
“Your illness does not define you. Your strength and courage do.” - Unknown
- Mind Self-Care Body Mind and Spirit
Yoga
I practice at home. I suggest doing Yoga after any type of exercise and in the Morning is best. All I have is a Yoga mat and two blocks. I am not a Yogi but I do enjoy the health and body benefits of Yoga. It's worked for me! I've worked since I was 12. My body hurts and is always so tight. I find that after a month of practice, I can feel a huge difference in mobility and concentration. The meditation part of Yoga is so great! Some practices have meditation before you begin.
-There are many free yoga instructors online to follow and be inspired by. If you find you like yoga, most of the instructors have a membership that is usually reasonably priced and has an amazing community to keep in contact with. Yoga can be for everyone there's No wrist yoga, chair yoga, or beginner yoga it's a diverse world and the benefits are real.
Meditation
I'm quite new to meditation. Meditation will be very beneficial for the overworked and undervalued. The times I've done it have had a positive impact on me. The first time I tried meditation was through a Yoga practice (free on YouTube). It was nice to carve out that time for myself. It felt like I was having a connection with a part of myself that I never visit. My best experience was last month when I was meditating in the Art studio. It was raining outside. It's as if my inner self was able to explore what I have been missing (adventure and play). I did feel cared for because I was nurturing what makes me happy and renewed that idea in my heart. It gave me the chance to look deep within myself.
I also joined the Fitbit community; which includes a Fitbit App on my phone (costs CAD 15.00 per month). There are meditation practices that are excellent for everyone and anyone.
Journaling
A gift that everyone needs. I have many many books for writing some in the Studio, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. My favourite is the journal beside my bed. I use it to spill my thoughts and prayers and just my day and memories. Writing has always been a part of me, almost as much as drawing has been. I never took it seriously or thought to write more until this year. I took my writing to a different level by creating this Blog since I want to share my thoughts and help others. There are many different types of journaling. When you step into this world and you end up loving it you will every day get out in it! I would say start with a journal beside the bed ( Don't forget your food journal in the kitchen) In this journal just start with writing out your day. Don't forget the date it's important hehe
Some ideas for Journaling
-Gratitude Journal. Write out 3 "things" you're grateful for every day. A gratitude Journal is perfect for those who are feeling lonely and or depressed. Some ideas to write in your gratitude journal could be: you're thankful/grateful for the morning sun, for being able to experience this day, for your family, for weekends and so on... so that when you're feeling down, you can come back to your Gratitude journal, flip it open to any page for a sweet reminder.
-Journal/Diary This is what I keep by my bed. This is best for everyone especially those who are overwhelmed and perhaps the sensitive types like me.
-Idea Journal Best for creatives. I keep mine in the Art studio. This one is messy but in all its chaos it'll make sense to the one creating it. The messier the better that just means the ideas are strong lol
-Memorabilia Journal Not sure if this is a thing but it is for me. Does Packrat sound familiar? or shall we just say the scrapbook savvy? If you're the type who wants a place to revisit your memories this journal is for you. You can make it your own and come back anytime to rediscover your beautiful memories.
Wellness - The Harmony between Mind Body and Spirit
Spirit Self-Care Body Mind and Spirit
I'll be writing about God in this section for any who may feel uncomfortable
The Bible
Having Faith and believing in YHWH (aka God) has been the highest level of self-care for me. I now have hope for the future, I can move forward from my past and I can survive in the present.
If you find you have tried everything but there's still something missing this is your missing puzzle piece.
Where I would begin is in the New Testament. Remember the connection will take time, but if you continue, your heart and eyes will be open.
-Study the Bible and all its forms past and present. Learning will be lifelong. Some of the things I've learnt through the years from the Bible is to always: Be connected with your conscience. Love is the greatest of all. Do to others what you would have them do to you. Continue to learn in depth with Faith. Know your triggers. Wear the Armor of YHWH and Pray.
Prayer
Prayer will help you find peace in whatever you may be going through. Prayer will help you to never feel alone. It opens up a safe place inside, where you can go to talk and spill out your heart and mind. Prayer will give "it" all away, freeing you of negativity.
-Prayer book (yup, another Journal hehe) you can also add your prayers to your bedside journal. It's nice to start with prayers at night, that can help you go to sleep and to let go.
-Pray at any time. Whenever you're feeling anxiety, stress, anger etc... Simply pray, ask for guidance, for peace or a shield. However, you feel right that connecting with YHWH is completely up to you! He knows your heart. Praying is a great way to keep YHWH in your heart.
-Prayer groups. It's nice to have a community of people wanting to share hope and love through prayer. There are prayer groups on Facebook where you can connect and grow in prayer with other believers.
Faith
Faith will give you courage to move forward and it will instill a strength that only you will know but that you will also want to share with others. For me, having a relationship with YHWH has cured my spirit. I'm sooth inside and out with Heavenly love.
-The Holy Spirit lives within us. Faith on a divine Level.
-The Messiah Makes home in our hearts through Faith
-Faith is a gift. It provides us with hope that can last forever.
"Do everything in Love"- 1 Corinthians 16:14 (The Bible)
Self Care requires Self-love
Your Self-Care journey will be different than mine and that's alright! As long as you are feeling cared for and loved. My hope is for you to take some of my practices and make them your own!
If you need to add Self-Love into your practices I have an inspiring blog for you to read :
Bunches of Love 🤍
Megan McKiernan