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Today is day 1 of 31 Days of Healthy Ways to Enjoy the Holidays More.  Today’s tip is for you to schedule time for self care this holiday season.

I know you’re so busy taking care of everyone else so I know you’re going “What the heck is she talking about?  What is self care?”  Self care is something we nourish ourselves with to support our wellbeing and ensure we can function at our best.  If you don’t take care of yourself first, you won’t be able to take care of anyone else. You’ll have more to give to others if you are well taken care of yourself.  Included in self care are massage, exercise, time with friends, breaks, long baths, an evening spent with a cup of tea and a good book, spending a few minutes in meditation etc.  Anything that pauses your to do list and makes you feel good will count!

Get your calendar out.  Right now (please?).  I want you to schedule at least one self care activity every week between now and December 31st.  It doesn’t have to cost money or take up a lot of your time but it needs to make you feel refreshed and taken care of.   It can be a 5 minute meditation session or a “stay in PJ’s all day” Saturday.  Your call, but schedule it!

If you’re a Mom (especially those working and/or single Mom’s), I know you’re getting ready to close this blog post and just go about your day.  Please don’t.  You, more than almost anyone out there needs the reprieve that self-care time gives.  By setting aside a little bit of you time each week, you’ll be more focused at work, more present with your kids and much more ready to be an effective Mama-bear when you need to be.  You deserve it and your kids deserve it too!

If you need help coming up with some ideas for self-care that fit into your crazy life, leave a comment or contact me and I’ll help you come up with some of your own.  Now get scheduling and stick to it!

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