“I resolve to get more exercise this year and eat better as ways of taking care of myself.”
Sound like a familiar part of your New Year’s Resolutions?
I’ve never had much luck with resolutions such as these, but not for the lack of trying! In the process of trying to understand why this is the case, I’ve discovered that self care is best considered as seasonal, with ebbs and flows, rather than as a consistent “pattern” or attention. I have my daily rhythms and my seasonal rhythms. Rhythms can help create and hold the predictability that is nourishing and supportive for our spiritual, emotional and physical healing.
My daily self care practices include morning and evening herbal epsom salt bath soaks–in scrub or bath salt form. The warmth and the detoxification that the mineral rich salts provide, relax me and set the tone for the day. It is 15 minutes of “me” time. My daily care includes a form of meditation/yoga, movement outside and healthy meals. I strive for a healthy balance of giving and receiving bodywork/coaching.
I use Blair’s Herbals Sacred Body Oil to nourish my dry skin and the smell helps calm me. It might look a little different as I move through the seasons, but really it is about taking time to honor myself and to have some deep quiet time. Sleep is important for me—sleep that is restorative! If I don’t get good sleep then I need a time where I can get rest/nap. I also limit TV time and movies.
Winter
Winter offers a natural tendency to slow down and go within but the holidays create a very busy time with parties, family gatherings, and shopping! I like to dedicate time for daily journaling, paying attention to dreams, soaking in epsom salt baths, and gentle walks in nature, sitting in front of a fireplace working on a puzzle, reading and enjoying the emptiness of the day. I gravitate towards food that is warm and nourishing–bone broths and crock pot meals.
Spring
Spring is a time to celebrate that the days are getting longer, the seeds are planted, I get my hands in the soil, and I look for the spring weeds that can be harvested and cooked. I feel ready to move my body more with rigorous exercise, I take out my camera and play with photography, I’m out watching my boys play baseball. Meals are harder to hold, but fresh garden offerings found at Farmers Market help me/us to feel connected to the earth and the abundance of wholesome foods.
Summer
Summer is a time to take spiritual baths with flowers collected from the gardens; I take my annual painting and hot springs retreat. The hot days make it less attractive to cook. Our hens are laying a lot. It is all about fresh fruit and homemade popsicles. I am attuned to the laughter of children playing, music playing, and birds chirping outside my open windows.
Fall
Harvest time–drying fruits and collecting seeds; honoring the elementals with biodynamic sprays, planting garlic and other winter crops, putting the garden to bed, honoring those who have passed–ancestors and friends.
Yearly Reflection
What were the self care habits that you found time for and can make a priority in 2015? Did they work? What ones are you willing to release and what new ones will you bring into your life? And do you notice how hard it can be to think that you have to just keep adding more and more to your plate of wellness and self care? Of course, it would eventually overflow and spill out. We need rhythms of rest, warmth, and good food to support us in our health and wellbeing. Self care has natural rhythms too that further enhance our lives. Self care rituals can deeply impact our natural waves of intention, curiosity and joy in the things and people that we care about.
Why my products help with self care
It is easy to think about others–to see how others are dealing with new exercise goals, weight loss, being grounded, etc. and that is why Blair’s Herbals can help you keep the interest and the momentum going with a monthly subscription service. It would keep the excitement alive as you would receive a gift box of a particular value coming to your door every month.
Throughout the day, I strive to spend time outside-going for a walk, connecting with my family and friends, enjoying my work, good healthy meals, and getting plenty of rest to balance out and support the times I am going hard and fast.
The important thing is that the self care piece has had to move to a priority. I may not always have days that I can fit all that in, but as the kids are growing, I have to begin to shift the focus from them to me so that I am not drained and exhausted.
So, why not start right now with the close of January? This is a time that many pull out the New Year’s resolutions that undoubtedly have something to do with our relationships around fitness/exercise, meditations, better sleep, and diet. Perhaps we have let ourselves go in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. January with its punctuation of the new year heralds permission to begin anew. Such pressure! Time to remember/buckle up and set new intentions and clarity around establishing new and healthier habits along with everyone else. We can do it–we are all in this together, but then…how realistic and how sustainable are the goals we set for ourselves?
The Blair’s Herbals C.S.A.
I encourage you to join my Blair’s Herbals C.S.A. (Care for Self Always!). This subscription service offers a monthly reminder about the importance of self-care. The basic package includes an 8oz jar or packet of floral or citrus scented bath salts. These can be mailed to you or picked up on the first Saturday of the month at the downtown Boulder Farmers Market. Custom packages tailored to your personal needs can also be arranged. So, begin by getting the benefits going and feel the self love of nurturing yourself with regular attention. Mineral rich bath salts have been reported to aid in relaxation for body, mind and spirit. There are many other reported benefits to regular soaking. Check out more blogs at BlairsHerbals.com/blog or the Blair’s Herbals Facebook page to learn more and to register.