Self-care: Treat your body, mind & soul

Researcher, Author and Speaker Brené Brown, in a Ted Talk on the Power of Vulnerability, said, "We can't practice compassion with other people if we can't treat ourselves kindly."

Valentine's Day may be a day for Hallmark cards, candy hearts, chocolates and roses, but what if we actually treated ourselves kindly every day? Rather than falling into bed at night, completely exhausted from our day, what if we made it a habit to implement a little bit of love and attention toward our own body, mind and soul?

As a member of Moms on the Run, you've already taken a huge step and recognized that you need to care for yourself so that you can care for everyone else better.

The following ideas, courtesy of a website at tinybuddha.com, are simple self-care activities you can fit into a short amount of time, with little cost. Choose one from each category and try it out this week!

For the body:
Get down and boogie. Put on your favorite upbeat record and shake your booty.

Stretch out the kinks. If you’re at work, you can always head to the bathroom to avoid strange looks.

Get out for a run. Now is a great time to register for the current or next session of Moms on the Run!

Narrow your food choices. Pick two healthy breakfasts, lunches, and dinners and rotate for the week.

Get fifteen minutes of sun, especially if you’re in a cold climate. (Use sunscreen if appropriate.)

Have a good laugh. Read a couple of comic strips that you enjoy. (For inspiration, try Calvin and Hobbes, Dilbert, or xkcd.)

Take a quick nap. Ten to twenty minutes can reduce your sleep debt and leave you ready for action.


For the mind:
Goof around for a bit. Schedule in five minutes of “play” (non-directed activity) several times throughout your day.

Fix a small annoyance at home that’s been nagging you—a button lost, a drawer that’s stuck, a light bulb that’s gone.
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Unplug for an hour. Switch everything to airplane mode and free yourself from the constant bings of social media and email.

Get out of your comfort zone, even if it’s just talking to a stranger at the bus stop.

Edit your social media feeds, and take out any negative people. You can just “mute” them; you don’t have to delete them. 


For the soul:
Imagine you’re your best friend. If you were, what would you tell yourself right now? Look in the mirror and say it.

Help someone. Carry a bag, open a door, or pick up an extra carton of milk for a neighbor.

Write out your thoughts. Go for fifteen minutes on anything bothering you. Then let it go as you burn or bin the paper.

Choose who you spend your time with today. Hang out with “Radiators” who emit enthusiasm and positivity, and not “Drains” whose pessimism and negativity robs energy.

Get positive feedback. Ask three good friends to tell you what they love about you.

Make a small connection. Have a few sentences of conversation with someone in customer service such as a sales assistant or barista.

Have a self-date. Spend an hour alone doing something that nourishes you (reading, your hobby, visiting a museum or gallery, etc.)