REAL RESOLUTIONS: SELF-CARE IN 2019

You survived the 2018 holiday season. But was it truly unscathed? Most of us are exhausted by January 1st. If it wasn't the traffic, parking, shopping, cooking and party planning, then the traveling, gift giving, eating, drinking or party attending was sure to get you. Doing for others and sharing in the holiday spirit is usually a good thing. But you need to take care of your own needs, too.

Neglecting your health and happiness for others lessens the experience, builds resentments, and can come back to bite you. So let 2019 be the year of self-care. Any New Year's resolutions or lifestyle change you make should incorporate sustainable elements of self-care. But what is self-care?

Self-care is anything that promotes your happiness, physical health, mental health, general well-being, or stress relief. Life challenges and experiences may temporarily lead to increased stress and decreased health, but overall the payoff should be higher and longer lasting than the costs. It is important to remember that self-care doesn't include indulging in vices, addictions, compulsions or self-harm. It also doesn't mean actively trying to hurt or neglect others, or devalue those around you. It just means making your own well-being a priority. After all, if you're not okay how can you really show up for others?

There are lots of things you can do to ensure your self-care in 2019. These include but are not limited to:

Diet
Healthy eating
Nutrient dense foods
High food variety
Fermented food and drinks
Decreased sugar intake
 

Physical Health
Restful, routine sleep habits
Flu shots
Staying home when sick
Preventative healthcare
Regular doctor/dentist appointments
Appropriate prescription medication use
Natural remedies
Smoking cessation
Illicit drug use cessation

Physical Fitness
Gym membership
Dance
Running
Biking
Hiking
Swimming
Surfing
Water sports

Spiritual
Yoga
Meditation
Guided meditation
Singing/Crystal bowl meditation
Meditation music/Chanting
Drumming/Drum Circle
Prayer
Prayer groups
Religious study
Church services

Entertainment
Books
E-books
Audio books
Films
TV
Streaming series
Online content
Gaming

Emotional/Social
Journaling
Talk therapy
Group therapy
… Anonymous/...-Anon meetings
Social meetings/Meetups
Social clubs

Learning
Formal education classes
Online courses
Skills training

Interests
Cooking
Gardening
Nature
Animals
Painting
Art
Crafts
DIY
Brewing
Writing
Volunteering
Photography
Graphic design
Fashion
Decor
Film making
Content Creating

Much of self-care involves stress relief and stress prevention. Of course stress cannot be avoided all the time. But maintaining a baseline of caring for your needs and making yourself happier in calmer times will help buffer the pressure when life starts to squeeze you. Excess stress can age you faster, suppress your immune system, lead to anxiety and depression, contribute to weight gain, and cause or exacerbate several illnesses and disorders; like high blood pressure, gastrointestinal issues, headaches and fatigue.

Find out what self-care techniques work for you and do them. Commit to yourself so you can be there for others. It's not selfish to focus on what you need, it's essential.