Wednesday, February 14, 2018

How We - Take Care of Ourselves

It's February, and we just finished celebrating Arianna turning 2!  Things have been busy and crazy as usual.  If you missed my post about our little girl, check out all of my favorite memories of her second year of life here

As I mentioned last month, this year I'm linking up with Mix and Match Mamma and A Little Bit of Everything to share "how we" all 2018 long!  

Here's the schedule, if you want to join in too!



You can see my January post here

Im sure that many of you momma friends can relate with me on this.   In my house, the first people I take care of are my kiddos, hubby and pets.  Unfortunately, this often leaves me at the bottom of the totem poll.  I love this pic that Shay shared on her post today.  Some great ideas for simple things to practice a little more self-care.  I'm going to post it here, so that I can refer back to the list and be mindful about focusing on myself a little more.  

I'm excited for today's link-up to get new ideas for self-care, but here are a few simple things that I have done to focus on myself.  

1. Workout 30 minutes a day 
I have found that 30 minutes of activity a day keeps me happy and healthy.  I think this started back a few years ago when I challenged myself to do the 21 Day Fix, a Beachbody workout program, which required 30 minute workouts for 21 days.  I felt better, saw results, and started incorporating and planning it into my day.  Are there some days that I just can't fit it in? Sure, but I truly try to make it work, because I feel better when I do.  When I work from home, I can workout before work, during lunch, or right after before I pick up the kids, and no one cares what I look like besides the dog/cat :)  There are some days where I work out for more than 30 minutes.  Of course there is my love for yoga, and trying to fit in a personal practice at least once a week.  I've been training for the Gasparilla challenge which is now 10 days away, so my runs have been a little longer than 30 minutes.  I also have fallen in love with Pure Barre, and I shared that in November I hit a major personal milestone, participating in 100 classes at my local studio.  Find what makes you happy, what works with your schedule, and just be more active.  

2. Quiet time at night
So far this year, I've been doing great on my goal to document in my gratitude journal and read through The One Year Bible.  Most nights, I do it after the kids are asleep, but sometimes they are calm enough and I can read the few pages and write down what I have been grateful for that day before I put them to bed.  I've enjoyed ending my day with this, and will keep it up for the rest of this year.  

3. Pedicures
I know that this sounds so simple, but I truly enjoy this hour to myself every couple weeks.  Not only do my feet look and feel good, I have time to read gossip magazines and leave my favorite nail salon feeling relaxed.  This is something that I regularly treat myself to.  

4. Time with friends
Time with my close friends is important to me.  I try once a month to catch up with them, and what they have going on in their lives either over brunch or maybe happy hour.  Luckily Mike is so supportive of this time for me, and will stay with the kids to give me a few hours of "girl time".  

5.  Regular doctors appointments 
With my fair skin, bi-annual check ups with my dermatologist are a must.  I also see an endocrinologist to monitor my thyroid every three months.  I've got the annual appointment with the gyno scheduled, and just schedule an annual physical with my primary care doctor.  I'm not getting any younger, and I want to be around for my babies.  Regular appointments are important to me, and help me keep a pulse on my health.  

What do you do to take care of yourself?  Would love to hear your ideas in the comments!

XO

Shari

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