There has been a lot of talk about self-care lately. As our lives get busier, prioritizing self-care becomes increasingly important. I'm finding this very important for myself lately and I have a post coming soon, sharing some of my recent personal struggles. Many of us think of self-care as practicing yoga, a day at the spa or even spending quality time with friends. While these are all great ways to relax, there is much more to it!
The concept of self-care is about empowering individuals, families and communities to practice healthy habits, prevent disease and cope with illness or disability to achieve optimum health. Taking better care of ourselves by utilizing the products available to us not only helps Canadians lead healthier lives, it also alleviates strain on our healthcare system! Making a commitment to practice self-care has so many benefits.
That’s why Bayer, a global health products leader, is working to educate consumers on how Better Self-care for a Better Life can make a difference in quality of life, while improving healthcare sustainability.
Here are a few ways I practice self-care:
Bathtime
I love bath bombs, bubble bath, and other fancy bath products. I also love hot water, so a quiet, luxurious bath is self-care at its finest for me! Sometimes bath products are a bit of a splurge, so I put them on my wish lists for birthdays and other special occasions and then save them for those moments when I really need to de-stress, relax, and recharge.
Meditation
You may see this as "woo-woo" or kind of "out there", but I just recently started experimenting with meditation. I had heard about it & tried it once before and felt like it was too weird and I just couldn't get into it. Just recently I heard someone else talk about it, and I realized that it can be pretty simple- just a matter of spending a little time with your eyes shut, focusing on your breathing (you don't have to do any fancy kind of breathing or sit any specific way), and reminding yourself to focus on breathing each time you catch yourself thinking about something else. I kinda like it, and if I ever find myself feeling stressed or anxious as I start my day, a 5 or 10 minute meditation can change that! If you're interested in starting, and want something to teach you about it, I found a free app called Headspace.
Sunscreen
Some forms of self-care involve prevention, so that's why I'm putting Coppertone on the list. After one bad burn this summer, and suffering through the week after that burn with its pain, blisters, itchiness, and peeling, I am not going to make that mistake again! I'm also not going to put off applying a 2nd coat of sunscreen after time passes "just in case maybe I'll get a tan this time"- not worth it!
De-Clutter A Space
In January I committed to spending some time de-cluttering every day for 31 days. This was nothing compared to the forced purge that came in March after the smoke damage in our home! After all of that I can say, with even more certainty than before, that having a clutter-free space really contributes to a clutter-free and calm mind! Taking the time to de-clutter your bedroom, your workspace, or any other area that's stressing you out, is a great way to take care of yourself!
Self-Care Calendar
It’s time to take your health into your own hands!
In support of International Self-Care Day on July 24th, I challenge you to share your self-care practices with me! Use the hashtag #SelfCareDay and tag me @raisingmemories on Instagram or Twitter! To help get you started, Bayer has created a self-care calendar with one tip for each day of the month!
SPECIAL DEALS
In celebration of Self-Care Day, Bayer is running a Buy 3 for $10 promotion through Amazon.ca on most of their brands. Click this link to check them out!
GIVEAWAY (10 Winners!!)
I will also be giving away ten $15 Amazon gift cards so you can purchase your favourite self-care products!
To enter, all you have to do is share how you practice self-care on social media, tag @raisingmemories and use the hashtag #SelfCareDay for your chance to win!
So, how do you practice self-care?
This post is sponsored by Bayer. To make sure these products are right for you, always read and follow the label.
I love to have a bubble bath and read; I try to do this 3-4 times a week. It's a little harder in the spring/summer when the kids have activities that run later into the evening. On those days, I try and carve out 30 minutes to sit and read
ReplyDeleteI'm with you- I love bubble baths & reading- it's like escaping to a sanctuary :)
DeleteI should actually devote some time to myself. The self-care calendar is a really good idea!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you like it! :)
DeleteOh I am in need of some self care! I love to just take a walk or grab some coffee with a friend!
ReplyDeleteWalks are good. I don't do it often enough, but once I get out to do it, I love it!
DeleteSelf care is so very important to your well being. There is something so relaxing about a bubble bath and reading a book at the same time for me that takes my worries away.
ReplyDeleteI agree. It's a great escape!
DeleteTaking a bubble bath is the ultimate luxury for me. Thanks for reminding me that moms need to also pamper themselves regularly and not feel guilty about it.
ReplyDeleteYes! That whole thing about not being able to share from an empty cup, right?!
DeleteSelf care is such an important thing to do. I definitely could use a de-cluttered place!
ReplyDeleteIt's so tricky to keep it that way!
DeleteI like to think of my workout time as Meditation. I get lost in my running or walking and it is so helpful to calm down and destress
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome. I need to be better about making time to work out!
DeleteI tweeted: https://twitter.com/sbabij/status/1021783249025150976
ReplyDeleteAwesome, thanks for sharing the link!
DeleteI LOVE a good bath, in the winter I take them all of the time. It's my time to unwind, listen to a podcast, read a book or just enjoy some quiet time. - Sarah, Must Have Mom
ReplyDeleteYes! We just found a waterproof speaker & I'm excited for listening to podcasts with it, without risking my phone's life! ;) haha
Deletejust taking a walk by myself is relaxing or reading a good book
ReplyDeleteI practice self care by going for evening walks! #SelfCareDay
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/fossie55/status/1021843119648763905
ReplyDeletecopy to my tweet thank you
Florence Cochrane
I love to sit somewhere quiet and take time to read. Outside in the summer is the best. slhaydon@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win https://twitter.com/BeeWBedard/status/1021917616615694338
ReplyDeleteI love relaxing on the patio watching the sun set with a nice glass of wine or 2. It is peaceful and a nice way to reflect on the day.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletePosted wrong tweet a few minutes ago https://twitter.com/LILLIANMB23/status/1022558342445715457
ReplyDeleteI attend chair yoga classes for self care and feel so much better after a class
Delete@raisingmemories #SelfCareDay I take a nice hot bubble bath, a glass of wine, some music on, candles & relax.
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/MyBeautyBug/status/1022856645922025472
I shared on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JustPlainSuzi/status/1024416283826237440
ReplyDeleteSome days are so busy I forget to do the self-care. I printed the calendar and will load everything into my smartphone so I don't forget!
ReplyDelete