taking care of yourself (self-care tips)

Social media and companies have taken self-care and had found a way to market it in ways where you may believe that the only journey to self-care is through face masks and some wine. yikes!

OK well I can't totally hate on face masks, they are a lot of fun!! But defining self-care is different for everyone and it isn't always easy. We can get so busy (especially if you are a college student) that we forget to recharge our batteries.

I wanted to share my self-care tips but I also want this post to be as interactive as possible. Any self-care you do in your life, please share!

1. Music!! Listen to your favorite upbeat music and dance around. You can even make your own music by picking up a random instrument (even the kazoo) and start playing it. You could even write lyrics to sing along!

2. Writing!! Write short stories, poetry, or even fan fiction. Writing can really help let out some pent-up emotions and it is always up to you whether you want to share what you've written. If not, writing to yourself is perfectly okay too!

3. Journaling!! This is the same as writing but more personal. Writing down exactly what you are feeling can help you getting a better grasp of the experiences/emotions you are going through. You can physically write in a journal but there are also apps on your phone where you can journal for free. One of my favorites is called Perspective and it helps with putting your emotions in literal perspective.

4. Drawing, painting, and coloring are great stress relievers even if you are like me and totally incapable in the arts. A great way to get some inspiration would be to close your eyes and trace lightly on a blank piece of paper. Make art with the random lines you've created!

5. Go hiking!! This is a great way to get some sunshine and look at beautiful nature. If you are lucky enough to live in North Carolina there are so many trails to choose from. There are easy ones for beginners. They don't take a lot of time if you choose a short one so this activity is perfect to do in the morning if you have a busy day planned. However, in the summer, remember sun screen and bug spray and lots of water!!!

6. Nap. Sometimes that's all you need. 15 or 30 minute naps are a great way to get some much needed rest.

Remember this quote: "Remember that there is not a one-size-fits-all prescription for self-care. It’s okay if yoga or meditation don’t do it for you. Nothing is wrong with you. What you need can totally change with the situation or where you are in life"

I understand that we are all super busy one way or another. The personal journey to your own self-care routine is not easy. Sometimes its really hard to relax and that's okay. It is something you will practice your whole life and you should make a note remember that your are in control of your life and remind yourself of what makes you feel good.

How would you define self-care?

Share some self-care tips of your own in the comments! You can @ me on twitter or even sign up and comment on the actual post itself.