A Few Minutes Of Daily Self-Care

I often tell my students to take some ‘me time’ each day, even if it’s only five minutes for self-care. And I have heard 101 excuses as to why someone cannot do this, ranging from parenting responsibilities and career, to house cleaning and maintenance. These excuses typically start with the words, “I have to…”

At one workshop, I had several people offer their excuses for not having even  a few minutes for themselves on a daily basis.  Then I narrowed it down to a simple question. When you have to go to the washroom, do you hold it in all day long, and all night, because you ‘have to’ do something else?  After the laughter stopped, because I did do an exaggerated imitation of someone ‘holding it’ by rolling on the floor in agony!

And then I asked the next question. By holding it all day and night, and writhing in pain and agony, what did I accomplish?  How much time did I waste focusing on this issue of ‘I have to go,’ but ‘I don’t have time.’

This is the simplest way to explain time management versus wasted energy and time. I take a bath or shower each day, as do most people. I am usually at least a few minutes under the water in some way. Water is my peacemaker and my calming force. It energizes me and charges me for the day.

Think about what you are doing during your bath time. Are you thinking about the day ahead and all you have to get done, or are you simply in the moment, enjoying the water that is cleansing and refreshing you?

Love is the great miracle cure. Loving ourselves works miracles in our lives ~ Louise L. Hay

This is a simple secret. We all have these few minutes a day for ourselves. Most of us, when we take baths or showers, have up to half an hour. During that period (because bathing in any form is ingrained into your automatic intuition and you don’t have to think about what you are doing), take the time spent in this space on simply loving yourself. While standing or sitting there, give yourself a hug and say, “I love myself unconditionally.” See how that feels.

I bet it might feel a little odd or uncomfortable in the beginning. However, the more you do this, the more natural it will become and when you are falling apart during a day or someone hurts you, you will be able to know, without a doubt that you are loved. Self-love is essential in this world.

During your time in the water, breathe consciously. Close your eyes and see yourself as being one with the water. Allow your energy to recharge if it is at the beginning of your day, and if it is at the end of your day, allow all negativity or stress from your day to wash away. Give it to the water.

This is the simplest method of self-care anyone has access to in their life. Be energized by the water, or give your cares to the water. It is simple, and it is cleansing of the mind, soul and body.

So, yes, you do have time. Yes, you can make the time for yourself, because no one else will do it for you. You are the only person in your life that can bring peace, calm and energy to yourself. No one else can or will do it for you.

Self-care is never a selfish act—it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer to others ~ Parker Palmer

When you have this ability to be at one with yourself, the outside world will start to be a less stressful place. Your inner psyche will take stress and kick it to the curb in a healthier way, and you will not carry it with you. Above all, positive, uplifting people and events will start to flow into your life, because you have the ability to attract the energy you are putting out. If you are stressed all the time, you attract others that have that same energy. If you are at calm, you will begin to attract the calm in.

Be at one with Source and see how your life shifts. ‘Me time’ is the most important time in your life. Never make yourself second choice. You are important and you are loved.