Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breathes.” Etty Hellisum
We live in a highly stressful world and it is imperative that we take care of ourselves. There is no one or anything more important than you. There will always be people you must see, places you must go, and things you must do. With all of these demands and challenges, we often forget the one thing that is most important: our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. The first rule to taking care of business is taking care of yourself. Resist the guilt trip! You are not being selfish or self-indulgent. You must take care of yourself in order to take care of others. Here are seven things you can do to keep stress at a minimum and avoid burnout.
- Prayer and Meditation. Set aside 15 minutes during the morning and evening for prayer and/or quiet mediation. If you wish, you can follow this link to Black Lives Matter guided Meditation for Healing Racial Trauma created by Dr. Candice Nicole. You can also follow Master Yoga Instructor Faith Hunter in a 30 day guided meditation series for beginners or you can follow her guided meditation You Belong, You Matter which she created during this time of racial reckoning and COVID19.
2. Exercise is a great way to relieve stress. You do not need to purchase an expensive gym membership. Walking is the best exercise and the least expensive. Be sure to invest in a good pair of walking shoes. Walking trails are great when the weather is warm. If you are not far from the mall, you can take advantage of this indoor space in the morning prior to opening hours when the weather is foul. Check out Girl Trek a walking organization by and for Black women.
3. Stretching is also a great stress reliever. This yoga sequence, Surya Namaskar (sun salutation), is a wonderful way to stretch the major muscle groups, get the blood flowing, and relieve tension. Do this sequence 4 times in the morning and evening. Be sure to breathe through each stretch. Do not hold your breath. You can also check out Shelley Nicole and her Mat Project in which she takes you through a series of poses for those who are new to yoga.
4. Bathing. Treat yourself to a nice bubble bath and add your favorite essential oil (mine is lavender) for nice aromatherapy. You can also follow this link to Aphrodite’s Delights on how to further enhance the bathing experience which is sure to soothe the body and relax the mind. Also, check out Gina’s Sugar Scrubs Sensations. Oh, the body butter!!!
5. Music. O the healing power of music. There is so much wonderful music out there (not just on the radio) so take your pick. Enjoy your favorite artists and genres but don’t be afraid to explore new terrain. So long as it uplifts and inspires, let the music take control.
6. Tea Time. Oh, thank heaven and the peoples of Asia who discovered tea and its benefits thousands of years ago. What a wonderful gift to the world this has been. The saying goes, “Stop and smell the roses.” If no rose bush is nearby, no worries. There are countless teas of many flavors including rose-flavored teas. Sit quietly with a cup of your favorite loose/tea bag and let the aroma and taste soothe you. Discover the joy and benefit of tea.
7. Journaling. Free writing is a wonderful form of self-care and can be instrumental in your healing process. Natalie Goldberg in her book Writing Down the Bones talks about writing as a pratice that can “help you penetrate your life and become sane.” Writer Ray Bradbury prescribed a daily dose of writing as a cure against the ills and sorrows of everyday life. So grab a note pad and a pen or if you prefer your Ipad or laptop and write those blues away.
8. Sleep. So many of us are sleep-deprived, but it is essential that we get the sleep we need in order to be our best and do our best. Here is some practical advice to help you in getting a better night’s sleep.
So make it a priority to take good care of yourself, you belong to You!
For more on self-care see these excellent resources:
