As women, we often take care of everyone else and we leave the leftovers, if there are any, for ourselves. But to care for others to our full potential, we have to make sure we are healthy. And I’ve got you covered with five easy and fun ways to help with self-care.
- Do some breathing, meditating/prayer, yoga or stretching.
I’m not talking doing anything long or crazy. You don’t have to sit in a strange pose for 20 minutes of solitude. Although for some of us moms, 20 minutes of solitude might sound amazing! But let’s be realistic, most of us may not have that much time to start out. But find 5 minutes- yes, you are worth finding 5 minutes for yourself!. Do some simple breathing techniques, listen to some worship music or meditate on some Scripture. Or try a few stretches or simple yoga poses.
- Make sure your “vitamins” are whole food supplements.
While it is best to get our nutrients from foods, most of us do not eat enough whole foods, fruit and vegetables to get the nutrients we need. But most vitamins, even multi-vitamins are isolated and extracted and do not contain all the other nutrients found in the original food sources. Finding whole food supplements are better because they contain, well…the whole food. Which means all the nutrients to allow your body to absorb and use each nutrient as well as excrete the excess out easier. My family has taken Juice Plus for over 12 years now and we love it! You can find out more about Juice Plus here.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
I don’t know about you, but even down here in Alabama, we’ve had some cold days which means dry, cracked skin. I can definitely feel and see it in my hands. But staying hydrated is more than having glowing skin-although who doesn’t want glowing skin?? For our bodies to function properly we need water. Our brain is mostly water! Brain fog lately? You may be dehydrated. And we often mistake dehydration for hunger. Meaning, we may tend to eat or snack more if we are dehydrated or thirsty. Also, the cells in our body need water to flush out toxins and excess waste, so not having enough water could cause us to bloat. I know, sounds backwards, but it’s true. The typical recommendation is half your body weight in ounces a day. Don’t think that’s possible? Start small. Be consistent with where you are now and add 10 to 20 ounces more each week. You will get there before you know it!
- Use essential oils instead of toxic fragrances
We have been told that things have to smell good to be clean and fresh. And while I do enjoy certain scents, I have come to really love the natural fresh scents of essential oils. They don’t contain the chemicals found in fragrances that can wreak havoc on our hormones or affect our sinuses. And they actually are anti-microbial so they cleanse the air as well as make it smell good! They can also boost your mood, promote a calm and confident atmosphere, and increase mental awareness. Who doesn’t need all that? Oh, and did I mention that you can save a ton of money by easily making your own cleaners that are safe and effective with them? See my IG on that here.
Need a boost? Try this blend of essential oils in your diffuser:
2 drops grapefruit
2 drops lavender
1 drop ylang ylang
2 drops wild orange
Don’t have those oils? I love DoTerra essential oils. You can shop for your own here.
- Put your best face forward with clean, non-toxic skincare and makeup
We often don’t realize the toxic load we slather onto our skin every day. From body wash, shampoos and conditioners, to lotions, face creams and serum, to makeup. It can be overwhelming- for our skin and body. And unfortunately, most of these contain toxic chemicals that can cause all kinds of health concerns and issues. That is why I love finding clean, safe products for myself and especially now that my girls are teens. A company I have recently been loving is Beauty Counter. They are revolutionizing the beauty industry with safe, clean products that work and last and they help educate and push for safer products in the industry! Check out their products here.
And there you have five easy, simple and fun ways to invest in your health this month!
Happy February!
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