5 AFFORDABLE WAYS TO PRACTICE SELF-CARE

 

What is self-care?

The “technical” definition is: the ability of individuals, families and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and to cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a healthcare provider”.

I’m all about holistic or natural treatments so would you think I would have this down to a science, right?  NOPE!  I struggle with practice self-care, like I’m sure many do.  The benefits of better physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being should be enough of a reason for me to at least attempt it once a month, right?  Research suggests self-care promotes positive health outcomes, such as fostering resilience, living longer, and becoming better equipped to manage stress.  I definitely could use some more tools in managing stress!

Self-care can get pretty expensive but you don’t have to break the bank or carve out lots of time to reap the benefits.  These may seem like no-brainers BUT the truth is, how many of us actually do them?  

#1 – DON’T SKIP USING YOUR VACATION TIME

Vacations can be expensive, but it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some time off.  Did you know,  most Americans, cumulatively wasted 768 million vacation days in 2019. I know, then COVID hit so many used their vacation time to stay home to care for family.  Time off from work can improve your mental and physical health, give you a mental edge when it comes to productivity, and keep you excited about your job — and your life.

Vacation can be more affordable with a little bit of creativity. Consider going with friends or family and getting a vacation rental.  We loved the cabin we stayed in when we were in Florida.  Instead of shelling out for a hotel, share a comfortable home, condo, or apartment then enjoy everything your destination has to offer. When you save on accommodations, you can splurge on great local restaurants, music, and water recreation, too. 

#2 – CARVE OUT TIME FOR PROFESSIONAL HELP

No matter what your struggles are in daily life, speaking with a counselor might help. This one was always tough for me.  I was afraid it would be considered a sign of weakness.  Counseling helps people identify negative patterns, make changes to take control of their lives, and discover their personal strengths.  I’m grateful for the 12-steps in my recovery program to help me do this too.  Cost should no longer be a reason for not seeking help – if you have employer-sponsored healthcare, a policy through a health insurance exchange, or Medicaid, mental health is likely part of the package.  Check it out!

#3 – GET BETTER (AND MORE) SLEEP

Did you know a lack of sleep can affect your mental health and your overall psychological state?  I know we feel grump, or at least I do, when we don’t get enough sleep.  I was surprised that it also worsens depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety issues, and ADHD.   Do you have a bedtime routine?  Remember how we always had one for the kids?  Guess what?  We need one too.  I have found  sticking with a schedule helps me decompress and prepare for quality rest. I may not get the recommended 7 – 9 hours sleep (who does) but I do average between 6 – 7 hours which definitely makes a difference for me.  Some tips for getting into a sleepy mood: journaling, reading or meditating before bed can help.  TURN OFF your electronics about an hour before bed.  I know this could be the toughest thing.  LOL. Try to keep your bedroom as neat as possible; if the place where you sleep is a disorganized mess, you may find this level of chaos is causing a spike in your stress levels, which can disrupt your sleep.

#4 – GET A LITTLE EXERCISE

You know exercise is great for your body. However, you don’t need a gym membership to take advantage of the benefits  Plus, there are mental health benefits built into your sweat session, no matter where you have it. Physical activity can decrease depression and anxiety.  You don’t need to pay for a gym to lift weights or use machines. Old-fashioned bodyweight workouts require minimal, if any, equipment, and it can be just as effective as hitting the gym.  How many of you have exercise equipment (stationary bike, elliptic or something like this) you bought and it is collecting dust in the garage?  Pull it out!  We bought a stationary bike about 15 years ago and it wasn’t until we moved to our forever home I started using it every day for 15 – 30 minutes.  Not a lot but it is definitely making a difference.

Here’s a plus for seniors: If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can take advantage of the SilverSneakers program, which allows you to enjoy workouts at participating fitness facilities without having to pay any additional fees. 

#5 – STEP OUTSIDE & ENJOY NATURE

There are multiple benefits by walking in nature for your mental health — and it’s free. Spending time outside can reduce your risk of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and myriad other conditions.  No matter where you live, there’s likely a park or nature trail nearby you can take advantage of. Take a walk around your neighborhood. Enjoy the sunshine (things are warming up in NJ), smell the flowers (spring is coming), and start feeling more energized without spending a dime.

Although you can spend a lot of money on self-care, it’s not necessary. With these easy ideas, you can glean all the stress-reducing benefits of self-care right away.

What self-care strategies work for you?  Share your best tips with us.  Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

 

What Makes You Special?

Today is WOOHOO Wednesday and we are going to CELEBRATE your uniqueness or those qualities that make you special.   I was inspired today to talk about this after reading a blog post by Lynette Barbieri.

If I asked you to tell me “what makes you special?“, could you do it?

It would be a struggle for me – shocking for some, I am sure.   Growing up, I didn’t want to be unique – I just wanted to fit in.  I didn’t want to be “special” because that meant that I wasn’t popular.  I didn’t know what was special about me.  I didn’t have that feeling in my gut that told me how great I was.  I wanted to hide in a corner and not be seen.  I lived that way for many years.  Then I started to squash those inner gremlins and embrace the positives qualities that are deep in my core.

In direct sales, I  often hear that you want to stand out from the pack.  I mean with thousands of consultants in your company, why would someone pick you above anyone else.  Why would they stay faithful to you?  I honestly didn’t know.  I always knew that I had a special purpose but I never knew how to express it.  Was being a good listener special?  How about helping others? Or giving to others even when you don’t have it?  I am crafty but is that special?  I can play (or used to) the piano, what is so special about that?

I am learning that all of those things are the qualities that draw people to me.  I am resourceful able to connect people with resources.  I get along with people from all different backgrounds.  I am passionate, and caring.  I want to make people smile.  I have lots of “stuff” (information) in my head but I don’t always know how to share it – just ask and I will share all I know.

The truth is that I may not believe that I have greatness inside of me BUT I DO believe that you have greatness in YOU!

So, what about you?  What are your strengths?  I know I keep going back to that but when we lock into what those are, it will help us know where we are going.  We have to be willing to take risks to discover our purpose and to achieve greatness.  A life without risk is boring, right?

Maybe you know what your greatness is and you are afraid to share it?  You don’t have to hide it.  You don’t have to deny it.  You don’t have to worry about what other people say or think.  You need to OWN IT!

At a Leadership retreat, my mantra became “Own My Journey“.  Because the truth was that I was trying to follow everyone else’s journey.  I need and so do you to “own your journey” so that we can grow into the people sharing our gifts along with the way.  We all have our own journey.  What other people think is none of our business.

As Vanessa Coppes, refers to it “your shining  light”!  By working with both of these ladies, I started to see my shining light and I learned that I need to let it shine more!

So, ladies, never let anyone dim that light.  Remember, life is a marathon not a sprint.

What makes you special? I would love to hear it! Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

 

Fear is Growth

“Your largest fear carries your greatest growth.” ~Unknown

This quote is so powerful.  Think about what your greatest fear is or was.  I don’t mean the fear of spiders or of roller coasters. I don’t even mean the fear of losing a loved one.  I mean what is your deep down deepest fear.  What is the thing that keeps your from reaching your full potential?

A tough question especially for a Friday when you are thinking about the weekend and relaxing, right?

If you can’t think of something you are afraid of, think about a fear that you overcame.  Maybe it was speaking in front of a group.  Maybe it was confronting someone who said or did something unkind to you.  Maybe it was stepping out of your comfort zone.  Maybe it was leaving an unhealthy relationship.  We have all conquered fear at one time or another – large or small.

Fear can be a paralyzing thing.  It can take you from confident and self-assured to a pit of misery and self-destruction.  It can create a mental suffering that effects every aspect of your life.  Fear can take a strong woman and reduce her into a self-pitying, vulnerable little person.

Now that you remember that fear that you conquered, think about how good it felt when you overcame it.  When you stepped out of your comfort zone and succeeded.  When you spoke in front of the group and were applauded.  When you left the unhealthy relationship and gained your life back.

How did you feel?  Did you feel like you left a heavy weight behind?  Did you feel like you had just won one of the hardest battles and now it was over?  Did you feel as light as a feather?

Do you feel stuck in the past or terrified of the future?  Is there a fear that is keeping you from being all you can be?

Here are some lessons I have learned that might help you in your battle against fear.

1. Take responsibility for your feelings.

We live our lives thinking others cause our discomfort and unhappiness. When the truth is that YOU are the writer of your own story.  Take responsibility for feelings like anger, sadness, or jealousy.  It may be difficult, but the truth is that no one else can control what you think or feel.

2.  Deal with the present moment.

You may dislike the way a certain person or situation makes you feel and you can try to distance yourself from it, but you can’t distance yourself from your own feelings. Where you go, they go.  Ignoring your emotions won’t make them go away.  Create a healthy output for unwanted emotions (i.e.: dancing, painting, writing, singing), you will be amazed at how it changes your perspective.

3. Trust fear.

Fear only exists within the mind; it does not exist in the world outside of us. It’s an imaginary barrier we create for ourselves, a barrier that usually appears right before something great is ready to take place in our lives.  When we make the choice to confront our fears there is a reward waiting on the other side. 

So, what fear are you ready to conquer so that you can move forward in the New Year?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Talk in Front of a Group? YIKES!

My Throwback Thursday picture is with the AMAZING Mark Miller during our tour of Home Office.

As a Director with Thirty One, you would think that I enjoy public speaking – WRONG!  I have always said “I’m not good at speaking in front of groups” or “I don’t like to talk in front of people”.  Guess what – the Universe heard “good at speaking in front of groups” and “like talking in front of people”.  So, I am asked to speak to groups a lot.  PLUS, I am in the home party business which means I talk in front of people all of the time.  Crazy, right?  I learned that from the amazing book The Secret.  If you haven’t read it – you need to.

So, I have been working on my speaker voice because I am in the party plan business and guess what, we need to talk in front of people.  So, here are some tips that I picked up along with way that helped me:

1. Build your confidence.

I know you are thinking, if I was confident I wouldn’t mind speaking in front of people, right?  So, the question is do believe that you are good in what you do? Do you believe in your product and/or your company’s mission statement?  If so, share your passion.  It may not look like someone else’s presentation.  It may not have games.  It is YOU being YOU and sharing with your heart.  I have an outline that I follow so that I don’t forget things because I can easily squirrel but it depends on the group how things flow.  I love the products.  I LOVE the company. I love the change that it made in my life.  So, the only thing I needed to do to gain more confidence was practice.

2. Look at yourself on the mirror.

This is a tough one for me.  I think video taping is better so that you can watch what you are doing at the end.  Professional speakers will tell you that if you want to improve your speaking skills, then you should practice in front of the mirror. Whether it is in front of a mirror or in a video, you want to see how you look while doing your talk. Then you can see whether you need to improve your stance, the way you open your mouth, and the expression of your eyes.

3. Listen to yourself.

“Practice makes perfect”, right?  Well, we don’t need perfection but you want your your audience to have a pleasant experience listening and watching you, right?   You should also listen to your voice.  Is it too loud?  Is it too soft?  Do you sound confident in your product and your company?  Practicing your speech countless times can help. Record your voice, and then listen to it, so that you can really hear how your voice sounds to your audience.  This is why I like a video so that you can capture both the visual and the verbal.

The most important thing is to be yourself and let YOUR light shine.  People can tell when we are not being try to ourselves.  “Fake it till you make it” is a great way to play a “part” while you are gaining that confidence.  It doesn’t mean not being true to yourself, it just means playing the role of confident presenter until you feel the confidence.

Keep bringing your special voice to your customers and the people around you.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!