Hello, friends! It’s Jordan this week talking about all things self-care. My previous career was in mental health, so naturally I am a true believer in practicing self-care. I’m here to share with you tips and tricks for thriving this winter season. Much of this you may already know, and if so, use this as a gentle reminder to take care of YOU!
MOVE YOUR BODY
I’m a big advocate of exercise and workout 3-5 times per week (shout out to F45 in Woodbury and Corepower Yoga). If I didn’t exercise, I would be a hot mess (just ask my husband). Not only does exercise do wonders for your physical health, but also for your mental health. Exercise increases the release of feel good transmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. Moderate exercise can help release cortisol, a “stress hormone” that is stored in our bodies and builds up when we are tense. Check out an article here on exercise and its effects on serotonin, and here to learn more about cortisol in relation to exercise. When you are feeling cooped up this winter, get out and move! Check out a local gym, try that spin class for the first time, or detox during a hot yoga session. Whether it’s a 10 minute exercise you pull up on your phone or a strenuous HIIT class, take time for movement… your body and mind will thank you. It may be as small as doing a few stretches each morning after breakfast, which is a great place to start. You can do it!
R&R IN A HYGGE HOME
By R&R we mean the delightful REST and RELAXATION. Also, since we are an interior design firm, we couldn’t go without speaking about homes. Having your home set up for YOUR success is especially important during the winter months. Since you will be spending much of your time at home, make sure that it’s a place you love to be and a place where you can rest and relax. Check out essentials for making your home cozy in our previous blog post here. Once you’ve got everything you need to make your home as hygge as possible, it’s time to treat yo self. Splurge on a mani-pedi or a massage, take a long bath, or allow yourself a guiltless day of Netflix binge watching. Whatever you envision in your mind to be relaxing, set aside time for it and actually do it!
IT’S OKAY TO SAY ‘NO’
I am guilty of saying ‘yes’ too often, and admittedly have poor self control. Whether it’s making plans every day of the week or choosing to go out to eat instead of making food at home, it is VERY hard for me to say ‘no.’ *I shall use my words as a reminder to myself. The holiday season brings chalked full schedules, an overload of social events, shopping stress, and business overall. For someone who is more on the introverted side, the holiday season can really “drain your tank!” If you find yourself saying ‘yes’ to things because you feel guilty not doing so, it’s time to practice saying “N-O.” It is also good practice to recognize when guilt comes up and explore why it’s present. It may unfold unhealthy dynamics with others that you were not previously aware of. If you are feeling overwhelmed by your schedule, begin the process of actually carving out time to take a breather. Just say ‘no’!
TAKE A BREATHER
Feeling overwhelmed, mildly anxious or depressed? There are tons of apps, such as Calm, that are great tools for breathing, mindfulness, and meditation exercises. Practicing mindfulness regularly has shown to be beneficial in decreasing anxiety and depressive symptoms, and increasing cognition and body satisfaction, according to an article you can check out here. Taking a breather can also just mean taking a moment to notice the little things around you and a moment to relax. There was a grounding exercise that I used frequently with clients in the past that can apply to anyone. When you just want to take a moment to center yourself if there is a lot on your mind, use your five senses and think of 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste. If you can’t taste anything, just take one long, deep breath. Learn more about the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise here. Another great option for taking a breather and getting things off of your chest is to journal. I have utilized journaling during times of high stress and it has worked wonders for me, I highly recommend it!
OPT OUTSIDE
If a warm, sunny vacation is not feasible for you this winter, you can still get outside. Winter in Minnesota gets LONG. Last year, my husband and I committed to buying appropriate outdoor winter gear to get ourselves outside more often (it worked). There is a quote that goes something like “there’s not bad weather, just bad clothing” and that’s the mentality I want to manifest this winter. Getting outside for some fresh air and a brisk walk is never a bad idea. There are so many beautiful hiking/walking trails in this state we call home that are waiting for you to explore. Have you ever been to Minnehaha Falls during the winter? It’s beautiful (see above photo). I challenge you to bundle up and get outside!
ADDITIONAL SELF-CARE IDEAS
- Read a book
- Practice gratitude by listing 10 things you are grateful for
- Volunteer
- Take a nap
- Spend time with loved ones
- De-clutter *Recommended: Watch ‘Tidying Up with Marie Kondo’ on Netflix
- Learn how to play an instrument
- Check out a new restaurant
- Guided visualizations
- Buy yourself a new outfit
- Color/draw *There are some awesome adult coloring books these days
SEEK OUT A PROFESSIONAL
If practicing self-care and coping skills isn’t cutting it, it is ALWAYS a good idea to seek out professional help. With little sunlight and frigid temperatures, living in Minnesota puts us at greater risk for seasonal affective disorder (SAD). We are blessed with great mental health resources in this state. Know that you have these great resources at your fingertips and reach out if you need help! Your new therapist or physician is just a Google search or a phone call away.
Thank you for reading this week! Although this week’s post was a bit more personal and off-track from what we usually put out, we hope you enjoyed it! We all need a little reminder to practice self-care. What do you do for self-care? We’d love to know!
Take care of yourself,
Interior Impressions team
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