10 Self Care Practices to Promote Healing & Relaxation

Are you someone that forgets to take care of yourself? Is your life in constant "go-mode"? Are you suffering from a chronic illness or chronic stress? Most of us these days have busy, go-go lifestyles and we tend to save self care for very last on our "to-do" lists.  I get it! Your busy and you don't think you have time to take care of yourself.

In fact, I used to be the same exact way, until that lifestyle caught up with me and then I slowly became sicker and sicker and about 4 years ago I was finally forced to resign from my job at the time. I had built my life around my work, my work schedule which included frequent travel, and the unreasonably high expectations I had set for myself in terms of life and career goals.  I was at my computer very early every morning and sometimes late into the evening. 

I was also very much a "people pleaser" and when I wasn't working, I would devote my energy to attending social events, hosting dinner parties, helping friends or family, and I even took on a second job. I was always running late or behind on everything I did because I ALWAYS over-committed myself.  Sound familiar?!

BUT....I had a high tolerance for the pain and fatigue that I felt everyday and was driven to "power through" and "meet my life goals". I rarely had any downtime or quiet-time and if I did, I would sleep since my body was desperately screaming "REST WOMAN".  I got sick easily and much more often than any of my friends in their early 30's.

Then about 6 years ago my lifetime of mild depression turned into severe depression, I suddenly had high anxiety about the smallest of things, and I noticed that my brain just wasn't able to focus and process things like it used to. I realized I couldn't do basic math in my head or remember my phone number any longer. I even got lost driving home from the grocery store one day in my own neighborhood!

I worked from home so in terms of flexibility, I had a lot, but it wasn't enough and my boss at the time urged me to take some time off for myself and figure out why I was sick and couldn't get well. At this point, I was in so much pain and so run down that could barley even walk around my house.  My very stubborn self finally gave in and realized that my boss my indeed right - thank you Regi! I needed to take some time for MYSELF and figure out how to get well again!

About 6 months after I left work I was finally correctly diagnosed with the disease that had been plaguing me for the last 20 years - Late Stage Chronic Lyme Disease.  I was also diagnosed with an "army" of other pathogens that had made their home in my body besides the Lyme. I was so sick I didn't leave my bed or couch most days and found it difficult to do basic things like take a shower.  I was completely non-functional physically, mentally, and emotionally!

I often see this same commonality among those who are chronically ill, like my fellow Lyme Disease warriors. We are those who give the most to others and save no time or energy for ourselves.  But if you don't slow down, self-access, re-prioritize, and make time for self-care, it won't be long before the constant stress continues to deplete your health and symptoms start to appear. Symptoms like insomnia, fatigue, pain, depression, and anxiety are all small "signs from our body" that something is out of balance or not working optimally.  I IGNORED the signs and "powered through".

Don't be like me! Don't wait until you have a chronic, deadly illness to make time for self care in your life - trust me- not a fun way to go!  These days my everyday life revolves around my self-care, it comes FIRST! I COME FIRST! Treatment for Lyme Disease the last 3 years has been very rigorous and the self-care portion is just as important, or MORE IMPORTANT, than the medications that I use to treat my illness.  When I don't focus on self care, I find that treatment is more difficult, I don't make much progress, and  my symptoms escalate quickly!

The truth is that our bodies need time to heal and rest EVERYDAY no matter if you are sick or not.  And it's YOUR RESPONSIBILITY, not your doctor's, to make self-care a priority in your life.  You are in charge of whether or not your body, mind, and spirit are in a "healing place" or a place or stress, pain, and fatigue!

So what do I mean by self-care? Focusing on self care means implementing small habits into your life EVERYDAY to give yourself the attention and care you need in order to lead a truly healthy and  balanced life physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  

The self-care practices below are simple to implement into your life and don't require a lot of time or money.  Start by picking 1-2 things on this list and make them a priority in your day, EVERYDAY.  Block off self-care time on your schedule if you have to - seriously!! Repeating these practices everyday will slowly make them habits in your life and that's when change, wellness, and more balance and peace starts to happen friends! 

Even though everyday is still an uphill battle for me and treatment is very difficult,  I have a much more balanced, present, and healthy mind and spirit than I ever have. I've found my place in the world and have purpose, reason, and hope to continue to fight my illness with courage everyday and make my life my own! I did this by focusing on self care and you can to. Check out this week's What's That?! Wednesday post below...

10 Self-Care Practices that Promote Healing & Relaxation:

1. Diaphragmatic Breathing/Deep Breathing - Taking a few times during your day to do even 30 seconds of this in the peace and quiet will boost your oxygen, relax your mind, and improve your brain function. Breathe in through your nose and fill your belly up with air, then breath out through your mouth and pull your tummy in. Repeat slowly for 30-60 seconds  a few times a day or when you are feeling overwhelmed or anxious. 
   
   
2. Yoga or Tai Chi - Both of these exercises increase your body's circulation and detoxification ability and help to calm and balance your mind and ease anxiety. Even just 10-15 minutes a day is beneficial. Keep it simple and do it at home so it's easy to implement into your life.  If you are sick and limited with energy, start with Restorative Yoga which doesn't require hardly any movement or strength at all. 
   
   
3. Meditation - This is also a very easy thing to implement for even just 5-10 minutes, once or twice day can be effective and work up to doing longer sessions if it resonates with you. I found this particular practice very difficult and still do honestly, but I've found that guided meditations and binaural beats can help me get into a meditative state.  I download both of these items from iTunes  to make it simple. You can also try walking meditation, or mediation while you walk outside,  if sitting still and quiet is difficult for you. 
   
   
4. Positive Affirmations - I repeat these everyday several times a day to help continue to foster self-love, acceptance, and healing.  A small example would be: "I completely and totally love and approve of myself." or "I completely and totally forgive myself." or "I'm responsible for creating balance in my own life." You can start by spending 1-2 minutes once or twice a day aloud, in your head, and/or in front of a mirror. I also like to post my current affirmations on sticky notes on my desk, my nightstand, and my bathroom mirror to remind myself and keep myself focused and on track! I highly recommend books, audio, or anything from Louise Hay. I have two of her books and several audio tracks and still re-read and listen to them regularly. 
   
   
5. Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)/Tapping - EFT is a form of psychological acupressure  based on the same energy meridians used in Chinese acupuncture, but instead of needles, you use a simple "tapping" motion with your fingertips on certain body parts. Plus you can do it yourself, at home and it doesn't cost anything. The mind and body are tightly connected and your body cannot physically heal if you don't spend time on emotional healing as well. EFT can help get rid of negative energy or thoughts, help with food addiction, and can reduce pain, anxiety and depression. I started using EFT a few months ago and have found it super helpful to do on a daily basis. I also often combine my tapping with my positive affirmations. 
   
   
6. Detox Bath- This is a way to unwind not only your body, but your mind as well. A warm bath boosts detoxification, eases stress, and reduces pain.  If you are chronically ill, daily baths are recommended, but if not even a once or twice weekly designated bath time can be very effective. Check out our blog, Detox Baths: 4 Natural Recipes to Promote Healing and Relaxation to learn how to do a detox bath. 
   
   
7. Get In Some Outside Time - Real sunshine helps to boost your metabolism, increase our vitamin D which supports a healthy immune system, and improves your mood. Even just 10 minutes a day of sunshine and outside time can be helpful. 
   
   
8. Get Rid of Toxic People & Activities - This is a big one! You cannot make time for yourself or any of these self-care activities if you don't re-evaluate your priorities and start saying, "NO", sometimes.  Surround yourself with positive, uplifting people that build you up and make you feel better about yourself and your life. Surround yourself with people who smile and laugh a lot and get rid of things that make you angry, stressed, or sad. 
   
   
9. Make Quality Sleep a Priority - Sleep is the time your body needs to heal - end of story! Focus on getting a solid 7-8 hours every night. Go to sleep and wake up at the same times each day to help re-set your natural circadian rhythm and some quality sleep.  Avoid TV and personal electronics for 60 minutes prior to your bedtime. The EMF's emitted by these devices actually up-regulate your body's cortisol production, which is your "waking and energy hormone" and down-regulate melatonin which is a hormone that helps you get a sounds night's sleep. If this is a habit of yours, try reading a book, taking a bath, or doing a guided mediation or some EFT with positive affirmations instead to help you develop a new habit. 
   
   
10. Focus on your Passions! Spending your time doing things you love and that build you up will increase your energy, improve brain function, and help you to lead a balanced life of purpose. One of the biggest gifts that Lyme Disease has given to me is the gift of purpose- I know what my place in this world is and how I'm supposed to be spending my time. That is why I'm writing you this blog today and most Wednesday's and why I started my own practice alongside my partner, Jen.  

​Because I center my energy around self care first and my passions second, I'm leading a much more fulfilling present life than I was before and I'm helping others do the same which brings me enormous joy and motivates me to continue to focus on my own healing as well!

I hope you've found this long (sorry) blog helpful:) What are your daily self-care practices?  I'd love to hear your feedback!

​~Billie