“Self Care.”  We hear people talk about it and it only takes a quick search on Google, hashtags, Pinterest, etc to find what is self care.  Usually this includes face masks, bubble baths, wine, and the works but a one time moment to calm your mind.  However, why are we limiting this to a once in a while moment.  Shouldn’t we be practicing self care and prioritizing our well-being all the time?  Why is self care considered a “treat” we give ourselves after working countless hours or being stressed?

Maintaing my well-being and taking care of myself, both physcially and mentally, has not always something I have prioritized.  Actually, I think I have been the poster child of running myself on empty and making up for it with self care days. You know, the saying yes to everything, being everything to everyone, taking on too many things at once, and emptying myself to people who do not deserve it.  How many of us do the same on a daily/weekly basis?  It is exhausting and mentally draining.

Now, I am not saying that the self care days are not needed.  They definitely are and should be scheduled regularly.  But how do we transition to prioritizing our mental health as a priority, what does that look like?  To some it may mean literally scheduling it in your calendar or a reminder in your phone to slow the fuck down.

But instead of focusing on the self care days to “fix” our well-being, let’s try and focus on the below.

1. Get enough sleep.  Seriously, you think you can function on little sleep until you realize you are consuming too much caffeine and not able to give 100% to anything.  GET SOME SLEEP.
2. Feed your body with fuel.  Shit food is not fuel to your body; eat like shit you feel like shit…end of story.  Yes, enjoying your favorite ice cream, candy, etc every once in awhile is fine but continuing to not fuel your body with good food will impact how you feel.
3. Move your body.   Find a way to move your body everyday.  Even if its just a walk or yoga.
4. Address what is bothering you right away.  Do not let it bottle up inside. Even the tough conversations, have them as early as you can.
5. Surround yourself with “your people” (Yes….Grey’s reference).  Putting your effort, energy, and time into people who do not have your back, your best interests in mind is exhausting.  Your people should be building you up, supporting you, and understand your bad days.

At the end of the day, take care of yourself.