Have you ever felt that your significant other is getting on your nerves just by existing? Suddenly the sound of their voice feels like nails on a chalkboard; or you can’t stand the way they tap their foot when they’re sitting; or their silly jokes start to sound like that annoying commercial that comes on AGAIN!
When that happens to me, the first question I ask myself is: “Am I getting enough self care?”
When I ask this to my clients, inevitably they have been running around taking care of everybody else’s needs, and not having enough time to relax and recharge. When I’m annoyed with my partner, often its really because I’m tired, overworked, or I haven’t had enough fun lately.
You might be thinking, “But I’m so busy, I don’t have TIME for self care!” And I hear that. But what I’ve seen again and again is that when my clients carve out just 10-20 minutes a day to do something pleasurable or centering, it saves them countless hours of arguments, lost sleep due to stress, and low productivity.
When you carve out a few minutes a day for self care, instead of arguing about the dirty dishes, you can laugh about them. Instead of pushing your partner to change their habits, you’ll be enjoying connecting with a friend on the phone and feel recharged.
Here are some suggestions for self care that only takes 10-20 Min/day
- Move your body in a way that feels good to you: Dance, bike, Yoga, do a 20 min workout, or another short movement activity
- Listen to soothing music
- Do a short guided meditation
- Pet an animal or tend to a garden
- Try a grown-ups coloring book! Or another short creative expression like playing music or doodling. If you love cats and want to benefit animal welfare organizations, there’s an amazing adult coloring book about cats https://www.facebook.com/causecoloringcatsNYC/
- Call a friend for 20 min just to say “hi”
Meditation is my Go-to practice when I’m feeling frazzled, annoyed, or overworked. I always emerge more clear, centered, and energized to create my day!
Many people tell me they “can’t” meditate because there are too many thoughts racing through their mind. I get it!
Here are two amazing resources to help you meditate that are guided, enjoyable, and can help soothe your mind so you feel recharged afterwards! I don’t get anything out of promoting these meditations; I just want to share the tools that work for me and my clients.
Insight Timer Guided Meditations
Insight timer is a free App that has thousands of guided meditations that are between 5-30 minutes. You can search by style, focus, or popularity and you can see who’s meditating with you, all over the world!
I like the “Simply Being” meditation, and it’s only 5 minutes! https://insighttimer.com/meditationoasis/guided-meditations/simply-being-relaxation-and-presence
Jim’s music takes you on an inner journey to connect with your true nature. His soothing rhythms and tones help me to come from my heart not my mind. The music is about moving energy and opening pathways for it to flow and be fully integrated with body, mind, spirit, and emotion.
Jim does a webinar every 2 weeks, where he plays a totally unique music and light webinar, based on the energy of who shows up. And you get a week of free replays to use as your meditation practice. It allows you to go deep into new ways of experiencing yourself through the vibrations of the music. To check out his next webinar and hear a free clip, visit http://www.jimolivermusic.com/harmonies-of-light-livestream
What’s your biggest takeaway? How can you add more self care into your week?
I’d love it if you post a comment below or share what works for you!
Lots of Love
Valerie