Self-care is important. I have often struggled at times with taking care of everyone around me instead of myself. I think this is sometimes common for mothers. I tend to indulge in a little Netflix binge from time to time, which is okay, as long as it doesn’t last for three or four days.
Sleep is important. It is hard to come by at our house some nights. Last night I slept like a baby. 😉
Drinking plenty of water is important…I don’t always do that (mostly because water does not taste like Dr. Pepper). I forget that it is important to hydrate my body, but I find myself telling the kids (and Sam at times) “drink more water, be sure you get enough water.”
Taking care of ourselves can sometimes be the last thing we think of. Self-care is not a new thing, we just need to be reminded of what is happening around us so we can take time to do something for ourselves. Sometimes when you are stressed, it can be really hard to see how your experience is affected by how well your basic needs are taken care of.
There are days I work so hard on materials for school, the blog, chores around the house that I forget to eat. That’s a basic need: eating. I can forget that I need to have a meal or have a snack because I feel so busy. Once I realize that I’ve been too occupied to eat, I usually hear my stomach growl, or I get those “hangry” moments where I just seem downright unbearable.
This week is a busy week in our house…we tend to meal prep, or at least plan our menu for the week…and that is so helpful. I know exactly what I need to pick up at the grocery store, or what I can run and grab quickly from our Aldi or Dollar General. We make lunches for school and work the night before, so having a set routine for that is super helpful as well–that way we aren’t running around like crazy in the morning.
Routine is a theme–getting in a good one can take some work, but falling into a bad one…well, that is easy. This past weekend we had more fast food than we have had in a LONG time. Our bodies are paying for it–lagging and dragging (but, I do have Advocare Spark, so there’s that).
As the end of the semester approaches for some of you (including me), I hope you are remembering to take care of YOU! We forget, it happens…we worry about others, our spouses, our kids, friends, family, students, (you get it—insert those names here)…but we have to take care of ourselves. I like to treat myself, or reward myself when I check things off of a list (and you all know I am a list maker). I am the person that will add something I’ve done (when it is not on my list) just to check it off (accomplishment, right).
My goal is to survive this busy week. Last week of classes, papers to grade (and then next week it will be final exams to grade), school/kid activities, and this weekend we get to celebrate by helping with the The Really Close to Almost 5K Color Run/Walk in Marion, Illinois. This is a fundraiser for This Able Veteran and is co-sponsored by the Rotary District 6510 (and I have told you how amazing those folks are in their support of TAV and one sweet dog, Memphis).
Here’s to self-care, relaxing, and enjoying every busy, chaotic moment life has to offer!
