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Self Care September

Self-care is such a hot topic these days. And I’ve even seen September marketed as self-care month. So, I thought it would be appropriate to address it!

It appears, scrolling through social media, flipping through magazines, and maybe even in the news that everyone is practicing self-care. But what is it? Is a strict vegetarian diet self-care? Is a night out on the town self-care? What about a shopping spree?

Looking through Merriam-Webster for the words self and care, I cherry-picked a few (refreshingly) non-consumer definitions that really resonate with me.

 

Self (noun):
an individual’s typical character or behavior…a person in prime condition… the union of elements (such as body, emotions, thoughts, and sensations) that constitute the individuality and identity of a person… personal interest or advantage… the entire person of an individual… the realization or embodiment of an abstraction”[i]

 

Care (noun):

watchful attention…maintenance… regard coming from desire or esteem …charge, supervision… a person or thing that is an object of attention”

(verb):

“ to feel interest or concern… to give care… to have a liking, fondness, or taste… to have an inclination… to be concerned about…wish.”[ii]

 

These definitions really help me to pare down what self-care actually means. They take away the materialistic focus of the term as it is commonly used. Looking at the definitions brings me to a calmer and more centered place, it feels softer to me. In particular for self “the union of elements” is so naturopathic, we cannot separate these elements in any one person for long without dysfunction revealing itself. And for care: “the watchful attention” or “to have a liking”. We perform self-care because we have a liking for ourselves! And we perform self-care when we pay attention to our needs and desires.

 

What do we do for self-care if it is not materially-motivated? I have a few ideas for myself, maybe by listing mine, it will jog your thought process and cause you to create your own.

 

Ritual bath: using just hot water, or cold! Or neutral. Add in some salt: Epsom, baking soda, table. Add in plants, maybe herbs from your garden, or containers. Rose petals from a bouquet someone bought for you, or that you bought for yourself. Lighting a candle in the bathroom. Burning a leaf of sage, or cedar, or mugwort. Adding crystals to the water such as quartz (some will melt, like selenite!)

 

Nourishing foods: What food are you craving the most? Is it roast chicken? A fresh beet? A cold fresh salad? I love a good kitchari, or a simple warm cup of bone broth, a carrot from the farmer’s market.

 

Exercise: Sometimes it feels so good to MOVE. A small jig in the kitchen? A few catcows? An entire yoga class after work, or before! Gentle exercise like walking around the block when you feel like you’re going to lose your mind. Or vigorous exercise such as a jog, or kickboxing when you really need to release some tension or bring your mind to a place of emptiness.

 

Time alone: Do you need to shut yourself in the bathroom for 5 minutes? 15? Can you get an hour alone to read an enjoyable book, or magazine? Do you need to take your shoes off in the grass outside of your office and really feel the Earth? Sit on a bench and listen to the trees, the wind, birds, crickets, river, ocean.

 

Time with friends: Are you alone all day and crave connection. Reach out! Make that connection. Texting, calling, messaging. Maybe you can even meet up, even if it’s for 15 minutes over coffee before commuting to work. Make a plan together and spend that time basking in the presence of someone you like and trust.

 

 

Links:

https://www.herbrally.com/monographs/mugwort/

https://www.yogajournal.com/poses/cat-pose

https://www.yogajournal.com/poses/cow-pose

https://recipes.mercola.com/bone-broth-recipe.aspx

https://kripalu.org/resources/kripalu-recipe-nourishing-kitchari

 

[i] “Self” Merriam-Webster. 2018. https://www.merriam-webster.com (Sept. 6, 2018)

[ii] “Care” Merriam-Webster. 2018. https://www.merriam-webster.com (Sept. 6, 2018)

 

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