Extreme Self-Care

In life coaching, one of my first plans with clients is to begin encouraging them to initiate extreme self-care. You have no doubt heard of extreme sports. Why not extreme self-care?


For many of us, it is easy to forget about yourself, while you are busy with work, home, relationships, finances, parenting. Self-care is not about being selfish. Many people are far to the selfless side of the continuum, so moving over to the middle
where you provide loving care for yourself and others may feel selfish, but it really isn't. Each of us is a limited resource. Taking responsibility for recharging yourself and your emotional and physical energy is in not only your best interest, but also everyone whose life you touch.
You are not the energizer bunny.

Self-care is the little breaks you give yourself in your day, week, or month that give you a chance to bounce back, and reenergize in a healthy way. These small acts of kindness are things you do for you. Often just a little permission to reflect on what you are most in need of will be enough to get you started. It might be doing something restful or active, and could refresh your physical, emotional, or spiritual self.

There are lots of creative applications for extreme self-care. I usually encourage my coaching clients to brainstorm about all the possible fun ways they might do this. Self-care could mean more alone time, taking a yoga or cooking class, sprucing up your appearance in some way, or changing something in your home that would make it more inviting for you to relax in. This is just to get you thinking! Be creative and have some fun considering ways to boost your self-care. It doesn't have to be expensive. Several wonderful favorites of mine are free and outside, like taking our golden retrievers, Jake and Madison, on a walk ,or to the dog park. Pure happiness and very willing participants!

Each of us has to teach the other people in our lives how we want to be treated. It is much easier to radiate self-confidence and self-esteem if you pay yourself first sometimes with your own extreme self-care. You will feel more energized and less needy, and that is a geat way to begin your week.It will also make it easier to set boundaries, take charge, support others and all the other good stuff you do all week.

I would love to hear from you if you are practicing self-care and would be willing to share your ideas. You can reach me by e-mail at christynnelson@gmail.com or post a comment after this blog entry.

Have a week that is supercharged with self-care.You will be a good role model for others and refill your tank so you can meet other important peoples' needs in the week ahead of you. Only you can make this happen and elevate your standing on your own priority list.