3427: The Quick Guide to Real Self Care During the Holidays by Josie Michelle Davis on Mental Wellbeing

[00:00:00] [SPEAKER_00]: Before we start, please check out our new podcast, Good Sleep. Have you ever noticed how a calm mind can really set the stage for a good night's sleep? That's the idea behind our new podcast, Good Sleep. Greg, our host from Optimal Relationships Daily, is here to help ease you into a peaceful night's rest with some positive affirmations. And these affirmations aren't just comforting, they can help ease anxiety and nurture positive thoughts, setting you up for true good sleep.

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[00:00:38] [SPEAKER_00]: It's a Minimalist Monday edition of Optimal Living Daily, The Quick Guide to Real Self-Care During the Holidays by Josie Michelle Davis of josiemichelledavis.com.

[00:00:48] [SPEAKER_00]: And I'm Justin Malik, your personal narrator, reading to you every single day of the year with permission from the authors.

[00:00:53] [SPEAKER_00]: We're gonna get right into a holiday post today as we optimize your life.

[00:01:02] [SPEAKER_00]: The Quick Guide to Real Self-Care During the Holidays by Josie Michelle Davis of josiemichelledavis.com.

[00:01:10] [SPEAKER_00]: December is upon us, the time of merriment and stress, lots of stress.

[00:01:16] [SPEAKER_00]: Whether it's shopping for gifts, running from party to party, or the overwhelm of family obligations,

[00:01:22] [SPEAKER_00]: it's staying stressful, and it's important to take time to care for yourself.

[00:01:27] [SPEAKER_00]: Self-care is such a trendy topic these days.

[00:01:30] [SPEAKER_00]: You can search the tag self-care online and find anything from pictures of bath bombs to Starbucks drinks

[00:01:37] [SPEAKER_00]: to a picture of light bulbs I came across that honestly I still don't understand.

[00:01:42] [SPEAKER_00]: It's a joke at this point that you can do whatever and slap the title of self-care on it and go on your merry way.

[00:01:48] [SPEAKER_00]: The question is, what the heck is self-care for real?

[00:01:52] [SPEAKER_00]: Self-care can and should be different from person to person.

[00:01:57] [SPEAKER_00]: Not all of the same things that I consider self-care will resonate with you.

[00:02:02] [SPEAKER_00]: But I think there are some easy guidelines for anyone to figure out how to navigate the self-care world

[00:02:07] [SPEAKER_00]: and the countless companies trying to take advantage of the trend and make a buck from it.

[00:02:11] [SPEAKER_00]: Here's the checklist I go through when vetting real self-care.

[00:02:16] [SPEAKER_00]: Number one, it should recharge you.

[00:02:20] [SPEAKER_00]: Just because you enjoy something doesn't mean it's self-care.

[00:02:24] [SPEAKER_00]: As much as I love going out with my friends,

[00:02:26] [SPEAKER_00]: it most certainly is not going to leave me feeling refreshed the next day.

[00:02:30] [SPEAKER_00]: In fact, I usually need some serious self-care after a late night out, even if it was a great time.

[00:02:36] [SPEAKER_00]: That's totally fine, but I know that I can't just slap the label of self-care on a fun Friday night

[00:02:41] [SPEAKER_00]: and give myself a free pass.

[00:02:44] [SPEAKER_00]: What does recharge me?

[00:02:46] [SPEAKER_00]: Time alone.

[00:02:47] [SPEAKER_00]: As an introvert, I definitely need quiet alone time if I'm going to run at my best.

[00:02:51] [SPEAKER_00]: I need time to process and think uninterrupted.

[00:02:56] [SPEAKER_00]: Sometimes it means writing here on my blog or in my journal.

[00:02:59] [SPEAKER_00]: And sometimes it's as simple as sneaking out for a quick walk by myself during the day.

[00:03:04] [SPEAKER_00]: Finding what truly helps center you is crucial to getting the most out of your self-care time.

[00:03:09] [SPEAKER_00]: So take time to think about actions that really help clear your mind.

[00:03:14] [SPEAKER_00]: Number two, it shouldn't bring negatives.

[00:03:17] [SPEAKER_00]: A lot of what's being marketed as self-care is all about making you feel better right this second at any cost.

[00:03:24] [SPEAKER_00]: Self-care doesn't need to cost your entire paycheck.

[00:03:27] [SPEAKER_00]: If you spend hundreds of dollars you don't have on treating yourself to some self-care,

[00:03:32] [SPEAKER_00]: most likely it's coming back to bite you in the ass, which is not caring for yourself at all.

[00:03:37] [SPEAKER_00]: It's setting yourself up for failure.

[00:03:40] [SPEAKER_00]: Stealing from your future self to make your current self happy is sabotage, plain and simple.

[00:03:46] [SPEAKER_00]: Most of the best self-care is either free or incredibly cheap.

[00:03:51] [SPEAKER_00]: You don't need to run up a credit card bill to participate.

[00:03:54] [SPEAKER_00]: Journaling has proven to help lower stress and think more clearly.

[00:03:57] [SPEAKER_00]: Don't think you have anything to write about?

[00:03:59] [SPEAKER_00]: Make a list of all the good things in your life.

[00:04:03] [SPEAKER_00]: Even on days when I feel like I have nothing to journal about,

[00:04:05] [SPEAKER_00]: I take three minutes to write down any and everything I have to be grateful for.

[00:04:11] [SPEAKER_00]: Just that little act can help refocus your mind, and it's totally free.

[00:04:16] [SPEAKER_00]: And number three, it should enrich you.

[00:04:20] [SPEAKER_00]: Exercise isn't what most people think of when they hear self-care,

[00:04:24] [SPEAKER_00]: but I know when I'm not feeling 100% that hitting the gym or going for a run

[00:04:28] [SPEAKER_00]: is usually one of the best things I can do to truly help myself.

[00:04:33] [SPEAKER_00]: Sometimes ordering a pizza and eating it all by myself while watching Netflix

[00:04:37] [SPEAKER_00]: sounds like the self-care I want,

[00:04:39] [SPEAKER_00]: but we both know that's not going to make me feel better long-term.

[00:04:43] [SPEAKER_00]: Although for some reason, I'm always willing to give it another try.

[00:04:46] [SPEAKER_00]: Your self-care shouldn't leave you feeling guilty or sad later.

[00:04:51] [SPEAKER_00]: It should be something that enriches your life

[00:04:53] [SPEAKER_00]: beyond that few moments you spend doing it.

[00:04:56] [SPEAKER_00]: Sometimes self-care doesn't feel great in the moment,

[00:04:59] [SPEAKER_00]: but leaves you with lasting benefits.

[00:05:01] [SPEAKER_00]: Sometimes for me, it's taking the time to do the dishes,

[00:05:05] [SPEAKER_00]: knowing it'll lower my stress to not see the sink full

[00:05:08] [SPEAKER_00]: every time I walk through the kitchen.

[00:05:10] [SPEAKER_00]: Other times, it's spending a few extra minutes

[00:05:12] [SPEAKER_00]: making myself a healthy meal instead of grabbing takeout.

[00:05:16] [SPEAKER_00]: Of course, there's still the quintessential easy go-tos I will always love,

[00:05:20] [SPEAKER_00]: but seriously, what's as cheap and calming as a good bubble bath?

[00:05:24] [SPEAKER_00]: Self-care is important.

[00:05:26] [SPEAKER_00]: My brain tends to run non-stop and so does the rest of my body most days,

[00:05:31] [SPEAKER_00]: so taking time to really care for myself is important.

[00:05:34] [SPEAKER_00]: But it's just as important to make sure how you're practicing it

[00:05:38] [SPEAKER_00]: is something that will truly help you.

[00:05:40] [SPEAKER_00]: So take a step back and ask yourself a few questions

[00:05:43] [SPEAKER_00]: before jumping into self-care

[00:05:45] [SPEAKER_00]: and make sure you're setting yourself up for success.

[00:05:53] [SPEAKER_00]: You just listened to the post titled

[00:05:55] [SPEAKER_00]: The Quick Guide to Real Self-Care During the Holidays

[00:05:57] [SPEAKER_00]: by Josie Michelle Davis of josiemichelledavis.com

[00:06:01] [SPEAKER_00]: and I'll be right back with my commentary.

[00:06:03] [SPEAKER_00]: Look, I'm sure there's someone in all our circles

[00:06:05] [SPEAKER_00]: who had to dip into their emergency savings

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[00:07:09] [SPEAKER_00]: Thank you to Josie.

[00:07:10] [SPEAKER_00]: It's true.

[00:07:11] [SPEAKER_00]: It's that time of year where there's excitement,

[00:07:13] [SPEAKER_00]: but also the stress that comes along with planning,

[00:07:18] [SPEAKER_00]: pleasing others, getting gifts, parties,

[00:07:22] [SPEAKER_00]: or get-togethers, cooking, cleaning,

[00:07:24] [SPEAKER_00]: working to get ahead,

[00:07:26] [SPEAKER_00]: and then right after the holidays catching up.

[00:07:28] [SPEAKER_00]: It's a lot.

[00:07:29] [SPEAKER_00]: And I deal with it myself every year.

[00:07:31] [SPEAKER_00]: Something she mentioned is very true

[00:07:33] [SPEAKER_00]: and we shouldn't forget to quote her,

[00:07:36] [SPEAKER_00]: self-care can and should be different

[00:07:39] [SPEAKER_00]: from person to person.

[00:07:41] [SPEAKER_00]: That's a theme of this podcast

[00:07:42] [SPEAKER_00]: and why I don't narrate from just one author,

[00:07:45] [SPEAKER_00]: but from hundreds.

[00:07:46] [SPEAKER_00]: Very different backgrounds

[00:07:47] [SPEAKER_00]: so that we can determine what works for us

[00:07:50] [SPEAKER_00]: from a variety of unique individuals.

[00:07:53] [SPEAKER_00]: Yet at the same time, again, as she mentioned,

[00:07:55] [SPEAKER_00]: it should meet some criteria

[00:07:58] [SPEAKER_00]: in order to be quote-unquote qualified as self-care.

[00:08:01] [SPEAKER_00]: I mean, you could probably eat a pint of ice cream

[00:08:04] [SPEAKER_00]: and binge Netflix and say that's self-care,

[00:08:06] [SPEAKER_00]: but is it really positive and enriching?

[00:08:08] [SPEAKER_00]: No.

[00:08:09] [SPEAKER_00]: And not that binging Netflix once in a while is wrong

[00:08:12] [SPEAKER_00]: and should be avoided permanently.

[00:08:13] [SPEAKER_00]: I don't believe that either.

[00:08:15] [SPEAKER_00]: But understanding that that's not exactly

[00:08:17] [SPEAKER_00]: what self-care is about is important.

[00:08:20] [SPEAKER_00]: Self-care can and should really be something a bit bigger.

[00:08:25] [SPEAKER_00]: So think about what works as self-care for you.

[00:08:28] [SPEAKER_00]: Think about the criteria she mentioned in this article,

[00:08:30] [SPEAKER_00]: like recharging you, but also not bringing negatives

[00:08:33] [SPEAKER_00]: and actually enriching your life.

[00:08:35] [SPEAKER_00]: Have a great rest of your day

[00:08:37] [SPEAKER_00]: and I'll catch you tomorrow

[00:08:38] [SPEAKER_00]: where your optimal life awaits.

[00:08:40] [SPEAKER_00]: You can go to your機 cosm denkt and see you on the right.

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