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September is Self-Care Awareness Month and to highlight the importance of self-care I’m hosting a 30-Day Self-Care Challenge!  Each day this month, I’ll post a new self-care goal on my Facebook page.  For those who don’t follow me on Facebook, each week, I’ll post a list of that week’s goals on my website.

For some, self-care may seem like unnecessary “fluff” but self care actually has very positive benefits – it helps us perform better at work, it improves relationships with others, it improves our emotional well-being and our physical health, it helps us handle stress more effectively, it prevents “burn out”, boosts our immune system, and enhances self-esteem.

Creating an ongoing self-care routine doesn’t have to be complicated.  Choose one or two simple things that you do each day for self care (start the day with deep breathing and meditation, end the day with a cup of herbal tea and writing in your gratitude journal, for example; or start and end the day with some Jin Shin Jyutsu self-help); and one thing that you do each week that requires a little more effort (perhaps a weekly foot zone session, or take turns with foot zone, massage, pedicure, and Girl’s Night Out).  What you do isn’t as important as doing something to refill your bucket.  It’s very difficult to fill another’s glass when your pitcher is empty.

Here are your Self-Care challenges for the next week.  If the challenge for the day doesn’t feel comfortable, it’s ok to switch it up, but stretching beyond your comfort zone can actually be very healing and rewarding.

Day 1 – Write down 3-5 things you’re grateful for

Day 2 – Take a walk – rain or shine

Day 3 – Do a random act of kindness

Day 4 – Watch a sunset or sunrise

Day 5 – Give yourself a facial

Day 6 – Do at least 25 jumping jacks

Day 7 – Make a wish on the first star of the night

Day 8 – Forgive someone

Day 9 – Say “I am beautiful” out loud, three times

 

Here’s an infographic of “The Self-Care Manifesto” for teachers (below).  I thought it contained some great tips for all of us.  If you’re not a teacher, replace the word “teacher” with one that you identify with, IE wife, mom, small business owner, employee, etc.; and replace “student” with whatever fits for your life at the moment.

 

 

Have you found benefits from self care?

Please share your experiences and suggestions in the comments below.