Summertime is associated with sunshine, waves, happiness and stress free living. Although, the real question is how do working people find the time to create a happy "stress free" environment?
For some reason, our world is always working and building upon schedules. For moms and dads it consists of working on a full time clock (whether their work is for a job, their kids or both) there is always stress upon their shoulders. Same goes for students and well, just about anyone in this society we live in. Sometimes we need to take a moment to stop, take a breath, roll your shoulders back, and adjust your posture. This alone helps you become more aware of where you are holding your stress, allowing you to release the tension in your body. However, there is another way to introduce some healthy self-care habits into your daily and busy lives.
Starting a Self-Care Summer Calendar
Goals
Begin with goals, what do you want to get from self-care this summer? I recommend choosing 3-5 goals that are achievable. Then keep those goals somewhere you will see every day, such as: post-it notes on a mirror, on a chalkboard seen everyday or set as your lock-screen on your phone.
This is an example of what I chose to do as a daily reminder. Feel free to use my goals for yourself... but remember to personalize and adjust to what you need!
Creating the calendar
First you want to find a calendar to write your daily self-care activities, whether it is a material calendar, one you downloaded for word or on your phone...it will work! To help you I am attaching a link to easy to download free calendar templates for word here.
Then choose the activities you find to be the most intriguing or easy to fit into your everyday life. You'll want to choose something different for each day of the week, so you do not get bored or give up!
Here are some great examples of self-care activities:
- Read a good book
- Meditate (I definitely recommend Headspace which is an awesome app for beginners and pros alike, best part it is free unless you would like to upgrade!)
- Go outside for a nice walk
- Have lunch with a good friend, family member or someone you've been meaning to catch up with.
- Declutter (you don't have to go into full Marie Kondo mode, but clutter can cause stress!)
- Listen to your favorite music
- Have a just for fun baking session
- Do Yoga (at home or at a yoga location, either is fine!)
- Get dressed up for no reason (Other than making yourself feel good that is)
- Buy yourself some flowers because you deserve it!
- Watch the sun rise and have a good breakfast...
- Or watch the sun set and have breakfast for dinner!
- Read positive poetry
- Write down 5 things you love about yourself (feel free to hang these up with your goals too)
- Create a personal blog (like me!)
- Get involved with your community/church (Go to their events, volunteer and grow!)
- Paint like Bob Ross (The link takes you to a Youtube video!)
- Call someone you love.
- Write letters to a pen pal.
- Treat yourself with a spa day (diy or visit a spa both with close friends)
- Pray.
- Go to bed earlier and wake up earlier.
- Drink water, with or without fruit.
- Go for a jog (you can even bring your dog...or your neighbor's)
- Watch a comedy.
- Get a massage.
- Turn off your phone and enjoy life without being connected at the hip with social media!
- Eat healthy.
- Learn something new.
Here is an example of my calendar, you may also use it for yourself!
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