Don't Scrimp on Self-Care - 5 Rituals to Help You Stay on Track

To embrace all that life has to offer, I advise you to move self-care to the top of your list every day.

Self-care is key to your success and satisfaction no matter what your goals and responsibilities may be.

We all know that life gets way too busy. Sometimes it gets so busy that you feel like you can't carve out ANY time to take care of yourself. But that's one of the biggest mistakes you can make.

The rituals you practice to take care of your mind, body, and spirit both soothe you and energize you. As a result, you experience more success and joy in your moments. This, in turn, transforms your feelings about time. And that affects everything you do.

5 Self-Care Rituals for you to build into your routine...

These rituals help you remember how important you are. When you practice them, the results are powerful and palpable.

Exercising relieves your stress and rejuvenates both your mind and body.

No matter where you start, getting the physical activity your body craves will revive your mood and enrich your life profoundly. Try a 10-minute walk to give your mind a rest or lift your spirits.

Whether you choose a brisk pace or a slow saunter to admire the landscape, consider it a gift to yourself to go for a brief stroll.

Re-acquaint yourself with the magic and exhilaration that nature provides.

Nothing relaxes and nurtures us like getting outdoors. Find time to sit on your porch and just watch the birds. Take a few minutes to care for a flower garden, or go for a walk in the park.

Take a Bath.

Bathing is one of the top self-soothing moments of your day. Rather than rush through your bath, take the time to soothe yourself by using a luscious soap or that new loofah sponge or bath puff. Light some scented candles, put on relaxing music, and take the time to fully enjoy your self-care time.

Find time to do the one thing you really love to do.

There's something so special and nourishing about making the time and space to do something that you feel excited about. Maybe you love to read. Or perhaps you like to sew or work with wood.

No matter what your beloved activity, figure out a way to make it happen. Even if it's every other day or once a week, an important part of self-care is doing what makes your heart sing.

Stay in touch with your feelings.

This is vital for the deepest and most meaningful self-care. When you're honest with yourself about how you feel, you'll have more peace and contentment inside.

Living your life based on your real feelings brings comfort and joy to your heart because you are in sync with yourself. It can be a challenge to be truthful with yourself and others about how you feel. But when you do, the rewards are great.

BONUS REMINDER: Self-care isn't a luxury! Re-frame it for yourself as a responsibility.

Engaging in activities and rituals that soothe you deep inside enriches your time and your life. A regular practice of self-care demonstrates that you recognize your own worth.

You'll deepen your experience of your moments and find more success and satisfaction by practicing soothing and energizing self-care rituals.

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Effective Ways to Maintain Minimum Stress

Keep a Cool Head and Count to Three. Are you generally a person who focuses on the past and is easily frustrated? Do you often make rash decisions because of the fluctuation of your emotions? You are probably stressed because you are quick to overreact and explode. Fiery spirits who tend to have limited patience for anything irritating, illogical, or without a purpose can manage stress by working on their patience, temper, and tolerance levels.

• Take a pause and assess the situation. Ask yourself, "is the situation worth getting angry or stressed about?"
• Consider "flight" rather than "fight." Learn that it is acceptable to simply walk away. Fighting is not the answer to every situation, especially if you have already decided it is not worth the anger or stress.
• Vent and move on. If something is bothering you, vent to someone you trust, but do not linger on the past. Be mindful of keeping your emotions bottled up; this can lead to muscle tension.

Accept Life's Imperfections. It is very honorable to want to perform to the best of your abilities. Wanting everyone to do what they are good at consequently promotes efficiency and productivity. However, this type of mindset can also cause you to take on more responsibilities than you can handle. People who strive for perfection can manage stress by focusing on the bigger picture and obsessing over small details a little less.

• Acknowledge that you are stressed. Realize that you cannot fix or do everything. Saying no occasionally assures that you will not become overwhelmed with obligations.
• Limit your multitasking; prioritize tasks by "High, Medium, or Low" priority and try to do one task at a time.
• Accept that there is more than one "right" way of doing things; try to be more open to different approaches and perspectives.

Take Care of Yourself. Worrying too much and feeling like you are wasting your efforts can be detrimental mentally and physically. Sometimes staying positive is easier said than done, especially if you do not feel like you are improving or accomplishing anything. If you find yourself consumed by getting the job done, you can manage stress by focusing on the things that you can control and staying active.

• Do not forget to make time to relax and to sleep; also, eating a healthy diet can reduce stress in most cases.
• Practice a reward system; get as many tasks as you can get done within a set time frame and then reward yourself with something that like, such as an episode of your favorite show.
• Acknowledge every accomplishment, no matter how small. Find a positive affirmation to stay motivated when accomplishments seem scarce. Mottos or mantras are phrases that you tell yourself to cope with whatever situation you are dealing with. These phrases can be as simple as, "don't worry, be happy" or as intentional as, "each step is taking me to where I want to be."

It is never too late to know what causes you stress or what works best for you. Maintain a minimum amount of stress by following these easy stress management tips!

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10 Ways to Get Out of a Funk (By Ashley Fullwood)

1. Clean your space.

I know, chores. You feel like your life is in the gutter and now you are being expected to muster up the energy to do housework? Well, yes. You can't find anything when you need it, you've been eating out of pots since you have no more clean dishes left, and what the hell is that smell? All of this adds unnecessary stress into your life. Your external surroundings are a direct reflection of your internal world. Cleaning is a productive way to begin to get your mind off your problems, and the result is an organized, easy to navigate space that is both welcoming and comforting. A clean house has a calming effect that you could definitely use if you are in a funk.

2. Take care of yourself.

Have you noticed how when peoples life gets out of balance, their personal hygiene and eating habits are always the first to go? Cook yourself a big, healthy meal. Take a long hot bath or shower. Wash your hair, shave, use a face mask, put some multi colored bath bomb in your tub and soak the stress away. How you treat yourself is a direct reflection of how you let others treat you. Taking care of yourself well is also a reminder that you are worth so much more than you may be admitting to yourself on a regular basis. This sort of self-assurance is necessary when letting go of life's woes.

3. Take a break.

You need to dedicate time to doing nothing. It doesn't have to be all meditation and Namastè, either. You can literally sit on your couch and do nothing at all for 10 minutes a day. No phone calls, no television, no company, nothing. Life is always bombarding us with constant distractions and endless to do lists. So it's important to balance that out with periods of absolute relaxation, even if they are in short bursts.

4. Practice gratitude.

This can happen while you are taking a break or not. It's a matter of shifting your mindset. What is going good in your life? What is exceptional? What is simply happening exactly as it should? Train your mind to look at things differently as they are happening. Life is full of surprises, so count your blessings and make a list of the beautiful things in your life. I'm sure there is at least one. It could even be "I woke up this morning and I'm happy to be alive."

5. Exercise.

Let the adrenaline and the endorphins make you feel like you are on top of the world. Your body and your mind will benefit.

6. Find a new hobby or something you enjoy.

Sometimes you just gotta switch things up. Find something fun in your area to do where you can meet new people. Meetup.com is a good place to find a lot of fun, free (or very cheap) social activities. Trying new things can open your world up more than you might realize.

7. Create a short term goals list.

Short term goals turn into long term success. Always remember this. It takes your mind off of your problems and puts your focus onto moving forward. I like to plan month by month. I only plan to complete what I know I can complete in 4 weeks. Next month, I'll have a whole new list of tasks to complete. Before you know it you are making constant progress. I find monthly better than daily or weekly because planning over the span of a few weeks at a time allows you to plan for some down time, leading me to my next point.

8. You NEED to PLAN fun time.

This is different than taking a break. You can do anything you want during this time, as long as you find it fun. During my downtime, I like to watch television. I actually grew up in a household where we didn't watch television so it's not something I've ever been used to doing. As a result, as a child, I had to come up with creative ways to keep myself busy, and as an adult this translated into always working on something, always being busy. Now, I allow myself up to 3 hours of television time a month. With each episode at approximately 30 mins, that's about 1-2 episodes of television a week. I am currently following Game of Thrones and watching a show called The Borgias. After a long day/week, it's nice to have a little treat to look forward too. I even have a TV buddy who I love watching GOT with.

9. Write a letter to yourself to pull out and read whenever you are feeling overwhelmed.

Make sure in that letter you tell yourself everything you would need to hear if you were reaching out to a close friend. For example, mine says "It's okay to cry. It's okay to need time to process your emotions. It's okay to set your pace and stick with it. You are a good person with a kind soul." Update this letter as much as you want. Include and remove things, just make it perfect for you.

10. Do something nice for someone other than yourself.

Go volunteer for a weekend at an animal shelter, help feed the homeless, take your dog to his/her favorite park and watch how excited they get. Other peoples happiness rubs off on you. When you are miserable, you attract misery. You have to put forth positivity to attract it and this starts by doing what you can to make interactions as positive as possible. Both positivity and negativity are contagious. Choose.

Always remember, you are the earthly embodiment of strength, love, and joy.

http://ezinearticles.com/?10-Ways-to-Get-Out-of-a-Funk&id=9776628

How To Easily Create Your Emotional, Physical And Spiritual Health

As you navigate your personal and professional vicissitudes today, you may feel disconnected and unlike your Self. It may seem like your world has been suffused with an oddity that is puzzling and unwieldy. These unfamiliar feelings may be even mysterious sensations or changes which prompt you to react differently.

This unfamiliar pattern may be your body and mind telling you that you are too immersed in too many concerns and you need to step back from your perceived obligations in order to take care of your Self. Consider that you might need more rest and relaxation on a daily basis instead of relaxing only on the weekend.

Feeling disconnected in your life can be a sign that you need to reconnect with your inner Self in order to cement your dedication to the values you know are important. Or you might need to reevaluate your food plan. Is you food plan the best for your body? Furthermore the goings on in the world distracts you, blinding you from your needs.

When you schedule in time to restore your relationship with your Self and are diligent about remembering who you are and your evolution to be more of who you are; you will ensure that you hold onto your integrity, values and goals. Your frequent reflection on managing what is most important to you strengthens your will to approach worldly concerns on your own terms, rather than at a command from others' rules and values.

Make it a habit to reflect periodically each day. Ask your Self:

-Am I utilizing my time well?

-Am I including my needs?

-Am I including adequate rest and relaxation today?

-Am I getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep regularly?

-Am I eating nutrition for my Blood Type?

-Am I getting adequate exercise and spending time in nature?

-Am I spending adequate time with my significant other, family and friends?

-Am I spending time on hobbies and other pursuits of Interest?

These basic questions will prompt specific questions that get to the root of your daily emotional, physical and spiritual health and wellness needs.

When you meet your emotional, physical and spiritual health and wellness needs daily, the feelings of disconnection and feeling unlike your Self will dissipate.

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Easily-Create-Your-Emotional,-Physical-And-Spiritual-Health&id=7012328

13 Ways to Take Care of Yourself Every Day

Don’t get stuck in an unhealthy daily grind. Here’s how to work “me time” into your busy schedule.

It’s 7:30 a.m. and your alarm is blaring. Squinty-eyed, you reach for your phone, fumbling to swipe that horrible noise off, sinking back into the mattress, your eyes fading to black again… until you shoot straight up, eyes wide open, realizing you’ve already pushed snooze three times. You’re late. So you bolt out from under the covers and, like a blur, get dressed and go to work.

You’re at the office (finally), and a million emails have rudely generated in your inbox, so you start shooting off responses, only to reply to the ones that come back seconds later. You only get up when nature calls and your stomach yells for food. Another blur and it’s already dark. Time to climb back under the covers…

Sleep, wake up, work. And repeat. That’s a daily grind that will have you burning out the next time your alarm goes off. There’s more to life than work. How can you make sure you’re getting a healthy dose of “me time”?

We asked the Young Entrepreneur Council, “What is one thing you can do every day to take care of yourself, before your work?” to find out.

1. Set specific time slots when you don’t work.

Focusing on work is a great excuse for not taking care of yourself. I have set specific time slots where I won’t work and will instead spend time on my family and me. These slots are first thing in the morning (before 8 a.m.) and dinnertime (5 to 8 p.m.). Except for events I must attend, these slots are sacred times for me to spend with my family and not work. Setting this up has been life-changing.

—Joshua Dorkin, BiggerPockets

2. Start your day off with meditation.

I start every morning with a short 5–10-minute meditation using an app called Beditations. The meditation helps me visualize the things I’m most grateful for and allows me to minimize negativity and distractions. I find that early morning meditation increases my self-awareness and helps me put into perspective what really matters. I also tend to be much more positive, energetic and happy.

—Kristopher Jones, LSEO.com

3. Work out.

I get up early most mornings and head to a free, outside workout called F3. Aside from obvious health benefits, it clears my mind and gets me in touch with the outdoors and in the company of good friends to start the day.

—John Dillard, Big Sky Associates, Inc.

4. Get enough ZZZs.

The scientific benefits of sleep are innumerable. More sleep equates to more happiness, better health and improved decision-making. Not to mention that it detoxes the brain. In order to do your best work, it’s critical to consistently recharge your batteries.

—Ryan Stephens, Ryan Stephens Marketing

5. Write a poem.

It sounds silly, random even, but this is something I’ve done every day that has dramatically reduced my stress while simultaneously opening my mind to many details in the world and opportunities that I would not have otherwise noticed. Start your day by writing a poem—even something as simple as a haiku.

—Matthew Manos, verynice

6. Keep a journal.

Life is very busy. My journal is in bullet-form so I can jot down things I did, people I met, how I felt, etc. It’s been a great outlet to help me be present, remember the little moments and sort out challenges in both my personal and professional life.

—Kate Levenstien, Cannonball Productions

7. Talk to friends and family.

Your friends and family are your biggest supporters. Even if you are having a very stressful and busy day, pick up the phone for a few minutes just to say hi to Mom or your best friend, and just talk about the good things that are happening in their lives. It will keep you grounded.

—Faraz Khan, Go Direct Lead Generation

8. Wake up slowly.

It’s not unusual for me to answer 10 to 15 emails before even getting out of bed in the morning. But starting the day off like this often sets a negative tone for the day, and truthfully most issues can wait. I’m learning that I’m much happier when I take 30 to 45 minutes to wake up slowly and shower before checking email.

—Jesse Lear, V.I.P. Waste Services, LLC

9. Read something fictional.

Refresh your mind by taking an afternoon break from your workflow and escaping to another world. Reading fictional stories stimulates the right side of your brain, sparking creative thought. That stimulation can make your day go a little smoother by thinking differently, solving problems in abstract ways and, most importantly, rejuvenating your soul.

—Mark Krassner, Knee Walker Central

10. Do yoga.

I have always been a very active person. I played water polo, swam, surfed, tried every sport out there. But in the last few years I started doing yoga a few days a week and it has changed my life. It’s the only place my phone is completely off and my mind is focused on myself only—no clients, employees or projects. It’s the easiest way to reset your mind and body in 60 minutes.

—Torrey Tayenaka, Sparkhouse

11. Listen to a podcast.

I find that one of the best practices to get fresh air and stimulate my brain is simply to take a walk and listen to a podcast with the podcast app that now comes standard on the iPhone. Do yourself a favor and listen to something non-business-related. For a little health or mindfulness, my favorites are Bulletproof Radio and Buddhist Geeks.

—Matt Wilson, Under30Experiences

12. Put yourself on your schedule.

When you put yourself on your schedule, you won’t have meetings and appointments that prevent you from taking care of yourself. I prefer to put myself as my first appointment of the day to make sure I don’t get caught up in the day and decide to skip out on important things that keep me grounded, like exercise and meditation.

—Natalie MacNeil, She Takes on the World

13. Make time for play.

Before becoming a father, I would have given an answer like many others: workout, meditate, yoga, etc. These are all exceptional ways to nurture yourself. After becoming a father, the greatest joy I can experience is playing with my children. It’s like taking that deep refreshing breath of sea air after a hard workout, but better.

—Derek Fitzpatrick, Ios Optics

http://www.success.com/article/13-ways-to-take-care-of-yourself-every-day