Weekends are the time to recharge, recover and brace yourself for the upcoming week. So, how do you do this? Apparently, through self-care. This is a safe place, so I’ll admit that I’m just learning to practice self-care. I work full time during the day and have classes in the evening. My weekend is usually restricted to catching up with family, friends, running errands and homework. The most I can muster up for self-care is a decent night of sleep. Unfortunately, the sun has set on my early twenties and reality is giving me a wake-up call. The realization that I’m not invincible and I have to live like a mortal has become a fact.
Hence, here I am attempting to share my tentative self-care routine.
Eat – Or at least, try to eat well. I try to incorporate greens into my diet and yes, I make myself those green juices. They’re not exactly that bad, learn to manipulate the ingredients by sprucing up the recipe. During a hectic week, I’m unable to actually make time for healthy decisions and so I double up on the weekend.
I always attempt to include “live” foods such as fruits and vegetables in my diet because those are vital to your well being. When I start consuming a lot of processed or unhealthy food, my skin will warn me by breaking out. Greens and berries are lifesavers, don’t forget superfoods such as; chia seeds, turmeric, maca root powder and so on. I’m just sharing what I’m acquainted with, if you have any input please share.
Exercise – I try to go to the gym at least twice a week, when I skip out on that I’ll make it up by walking or other forms of cardio. I’m not a fan of meditation, but I feel like I should attempt to get acquainted with this procedure. I’ve been told that yoga and meditation are the true paths to utter relaxation. Apparently, meditation will loosen my muscles and help me relax. I’m slowly coming around to meditation and yoga. Baby steps, I still prefer cardio but I’m willing to try new things.
Relaxation – Do something you love. Take a luxurious bath, go out for a nice dinner, or put your work aside and have relaxing night in by watching a movie. Reward yourself for your past and future week. Do this on one of your days off, it lets you shed the strain of upcoming stress.
Sleep – I apologize to the early risers, but I don’t feel like myself if I wake up at the crack of dawn. I deprive myself of a lot of things because of my hectic schedule and I reward myself by letting myself sleep til 10 am or noon on weekends. Sleep allows your body to recover and revitalize. Sleep is the true form of escape and recovery, savour it.
Bottom line: I love to sleep and I’m not going to sacrifice it for anyone.