Self-care isn't something people talk about very often, but it's super-duper important! It seems like there's a somewhat cliché idea of what self-care is: Bubble baths, face masks, doing your nails, the whole nine yards. While those are all perfectly valid methods of self-care, sometimes it's not that glamorous. In fact, sometimes it can get kind of ugly.
For some of us, myself included, self-care can be pretty difficult. I'll admit that it's something that I really struggle with. I like bubble baths and face masks as much as the next person, but sometimes doing those things requires way more energy and motivation than I have. Most days, getting out of bed is a battle. If I can hardly get out of bed, how am I supposed to practice self-care?
Even when simple tasks are hard, there are things we can do to practice self-care from our beds. I can check my emails and clear all the notifications on my phone. I can go through and delete things that I don't need on my phone. Just de-cluttering my phone makes me feel like I've accomplished something, and it makes me feel a little less anxious. I keep my medications and water bottles within arms reach so that I don't have to leave bed to take them and I can stay hydrated while I'm in bed. And let's be honest, we all need a day to lie around in bed sometimes.
There are other little things that don't require a lot of effort like brushing your teeth, brushing your hair, making your bed, or changing your clothes. Even just putting on a pair of fuzzy socks is enough to make me feel a little better. Unplug for a bit. Turn off all of your technology -- your phone, your television, your laptop -- and read a book that you've been dying to read or spend some time coloring in a coloring book. Clean up your room. Make your bed, get that dirty laundry off the floor, or clear off your desk. Focus on your body by stretching and breathing deeply.
Something I do often is re-watch TV shows that I don't have to give my full attention to. (For me, that's "Friends", "Psych", or "Gilmore Girls") You can doze off while you're watching the show without feeling guilty for doing so. You're not missing anything that you haven't seen before.
Take a shower. I know that sounds easy, but sometimes working up the motivation to stand in the shower is really difficult. It can feel so rewarding to take a shower and change into clean clothes afterwards.
Taking care of yourself is so important. I'm a hypocrite for saying that, but it's true. When things get to be too much, it's important to take some time out of your day and dedicate it to yourself. Everyone needs a break from life at some point or another, and there's no reason to feel guilty for that. Treat yourselves!
