As a health and life coach, I learned that asking clients to do self-care is very important for their “health.” I’ve been struggling to get some of my clients to focus on their own self-care. I recently figured out that maybe that is because I struggle with my own self-care.
I was recently introduced to the Empowered Wife Podcast. And then, two of my friends and I took her empowered wife challenge. The first thing she mentions is to do three things that make you ridiculously happy every day!
Her premise behind this for marriage is, if you are happy, it’s very easy for your husband to love you! It’s who he fell in love with in the first place.
As a health coach, I let my clients know self-care improves their health so they can have more energy to be the mom they want to be or achieve whatever goal they are trying to achieve! As moms, it is so easy to get overwhelmed with everything that needs to be done and taking care of our kids and husbands we forget about our happiness!
We forget what makes us happy.
Then, as a Christian woman, we’ve all been told, “Find your happiness in the Lord,” and I think I did a good job at that. That is great advice!! Outside of the Lord it is hard to find true joy! However, I believe there are things on earth that God has given us to find pleasure in! What makes me excited???? I came up with some things, but the challenge mentioned coming up with 20 things that make us happy and doing 3 of those things every day! Every Day!!!????? Who’s got time for that!!!????…….. Maybe that is my problem?!
Every morning, I practice self-care by going to the gym and working out with one of my besties!!! It feeds my soul! I NEED talk time with other women! I need to remember to be thankful I get this time!!! I then come home and do my Bible time. The rest of the day, I’m trying to get all the things done, so by the end of the day, I’m exhausted and depleted. I can barely sit and relax and watch TV with hubs because I work while doing that. Watching TV doesn’t necessarily make me “happy” either.
When you are exhausted and depleted, it’s hard to remember to do self-care.
I need to add more things. So, I asked on Facebook what women do for self-care. It was the most active post I’ve ever had! Great job, ladies, taking care of yourselves!!!!! Here is a list of all the things women do for self-care! I hope this inspires you to do self-care that benefits your health AND your marriage! I ordered them in the order of most repeated.
- Getting together with friends for a coffee, being with people/friends, getting tight with friends
- Sitting and reading, reading in my hammock, listening to podcasts, audiobooks
- Getting nails done with a friend, mani-pedi, doing my own nails
- Bath, detox bath, a super long shower, COLD shower
- Workout, strength training, walking, running, yoga, exercise classes, biking with hubby
- Massages
- Garden/yardwork, observing garden
- Reading the bible, scripture memorization
- Singing, standing at the top of the stairs, and singing loudly
- Playing an instrument
- Being outside in nature: hiking, Jumping in a waterfall, Kayaking, canoeing, fishing
- Watching a chic-flic, YouTube
- Setting boundaries – saying no with love
- Sauna
- Tanning
- Getting my hair done, facials, mascara
- Creating beauty – Crafting, Quilting, creating a space in my home where I can rest and feel at peace, creating a beautiful mess with kids, taking photos of beautiful things.
- Spending time with animals, Horseback riding
- Dancing
- Puzzles – while listening to podcasts, audiobooks, or music – doing something with my hands
- Journaling
- Drinking coffee
- Exploring new places
- Random conversations with people
- Helping a friend
- Laughing
- Sleeping enough, power nap
- Eating junk
- Being inside
- Playing sports
- Making stupid jokes, going way too far with a hilarious-to-me joke, Being a nerd
- Being efficient makes me happy
- Giving myself grace, and talking nicely to myself
- Learning new things
- Cooking for friends and family
- Me time: I pour wine, turn on a show and have me time after the boys go to bed.
Cleaning or removing things from a to-do list is often brought up. More as a… when things are clean, then I can relax. I understand that clutter can make our minds chaotic and therefore, harder to relax… But I was recently asked, “Will you die if your kitchen isn’t cleaned before you go to bed?” I do need to answer truthfully… “No, I will not die” 😊 Am I trying to control the situation? Is being in control helping me?
Download the self care checklist here
